![]() ![]() Her 28 boilers powered two triple-expansion engines, delivering 19,700 horsepower for a designed speed of 21 knots. Though expected to fight battleships, the new cruiser carried armor only proof against the guns of enemy cruisers: eight inches on the 254mm turrets and seven inches on the main turret barbettes and the 203mm turrets and six inches on the 203mm barbettes and the main armor belt. For protection against enemy torpedo boats, the ship would have twenty 76.2mm (3-inch) guns in casemates. The initial design called for a main armament of four 254mm (10-inch) guns fore-and-aft in twin turrets, and a dozen 203mm (8-inch) guns in six twin turrets, three along either side. Unlike previous armored cruisers, the new ship – named Rurik in honor of an older cruiser sunk by the Japanese in August 1904 - would be battleship-sized and theoretically capable of either standing in the line or battle or acting in a “fast wing” of the battle fleet. The Russians signed a purchase agreement for one ship on, with a delivery date of 1 March 1907. ![]() In July 1904 the Russians reacted with a brief design competition, won by the British firm of Vickers-Barrow represented by the international arms dealer and man of mystery, Basil Zaharoff. And so in June 1904 the Imperial Japanese Navy ordered the Tsukuba class of two armored cruisers bearing 12-inch guns. ![]() In particular, the lessons seemed to point to the need for larger armored cruisers armed with heavier guns. Both Russia and Japan reacted to the first naval clashes of the Russo-Japanese War by ordering new heavy ships to new designs influenced by the experience of war. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |