Cruiser askold history. Cruiser "Askold", the best cruiser of the squadron. The further fate of the ship

Diana cruiser. One day in 1918 in the Kremlin, on the dome of the Senate building, which housed the Soviet government, several people appeared. - Raise the national flag! - said the commandant of the Kremlin Pavel Malkov, a former sailor of the cruiser

"Oleg", cruiser. “Lenin wants to speak to you on behalf of the revolutionary government,” the words appeared on the telegraph tape. Sailor diver Nikolai Izmailov, acting chairman of the Tsentrobalt, who was in Helsingfors, dictated to the telegraph operator:

"Russia", cruiser. The name of the famous revolutionary sailor Timofey Ulyantsev is associated with this ship. In 1913-1914, he led the underground organization of the RSDLP (b) here. The most politically conscious sailors joined its ranks. In April 1917, there were 50 Bolsheviks on it.

"Rurik", cruiser. The crew actively participated in the revolutionary events of 1917. “We send you a curse, Kerensky,” the sailors wrote on October 2, 1917. - We demand from the Central Executive Committee the immediate convening of the All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers', Soldiers' and Peasants' Deputies, which

"Askold" - an armored cruiser of the 1st rank, was part of the 1st Pacific squadron based in Port Arthur, participated in the Russo-Japanese War and in the First World War. The name of the cruiser was inherited from the sail-propeller corvette, and was approved by the highest on December 21, 1898 - in honor of the legendary Kiev prince Askold.

Japan's victory over China in the war of 1894-1895 radically changed the balance of power in the Far East. The ever-increasing power of the victor gradually began to threaten the interests of Russia. Japanese shipbuilding programs included a significant increase in the fleet. In this regard, in St. Petersburg, at special meetings of the leadership of the Naval Department and some authoritative admirals in December 1897, the necessary composition of the Russian squadron in the Pacific Ocean by 1903 was determined: 10 squadron battleships, 4 armored cruisers and 20 reconnaissance cruisers. The number of the latter was determined from the opinion adopted at that time in foreign fleets that for each battleship in the squadron there should be 2-3 scouts of two types: "long-range" (1 rank) with a displacement of 5000-6000 tons and "near" (2 ranks) and 2000 2500 tons

The journal of the special meeting of the admirals was approved by Nicholas II on February 20, 1898, and immediately the head of the naval ministry, P.P. Tyrtov, ordered the Marine Technical Committee (MTK) to develop design assignments (then they were called “design programs”) for new ships. The displacement of the long-range reconnaissance aircraft was limited to 6000 tons for reasons of cost savings, the full speed was set relatively high for that time - 23 knots. Artillery armament was to consist of 12 152-mm and 12 75-mm guns. Specialists in the artillery department of the MTK believed that the faster-firing 152 mm guns would provide more firepower than the 2203 mm and 10 120 mm guns of the likely opponents of the Japanese Kasagi-class cruisers.

Given the limited displacement, strong armament and significant fuel reserves, it was impossible to combine with strong armor protection. Therefore, we immediately had to abandon the armor belt along the waterline and limit ourselves to the carapace armor deck. At the beginning of April, invitations to participate in the design competition along with "programs for design" were sent to foreign and Russian factories. But the contract for the construction of the first cruiser - "Varyag" - was signed without competition on April 11 with the head of the American company "William Crump and Sons" who arrived in St. Petersburg

The projects of the other plants were carefully studied by specialists from the departments of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. On July 3, the final meeting was held for the final discussion of the projects submitted for the competition by Nevsky Zavod (Russia), shipyards "Germania", "Schihau", "Hovaldswerke" (Germany) and "Ansaldo" (Italy). The project of the Germania shipyard in Kiel, which belonged to the Krupna concern, was recognized as the best. The general-admiral agreed with this opinion, and according to his report, on July 27, permission was received from Nicholas II to order a second cruiser Krupp. On August 4, Germany, a joint-stock company of shipbuilding and mechanical plants, and the Maritime Ministry signed a contract with each other.

Alas, one English project and one German one - by the Vulkan company - entered the competition belatedly. The first one was conditionally assigned the fourth place in the ITC, and the last one was recognized as even better than the project of the shipyard "Germany". After that, a third cruiser was ordered to Vulkan, later named Bogatyr. Thus, three cruisers for the Russian Imperial Fleet were built in the USA and in Germany according to original designs, but according to a single assignment. As a result of such a distribution of orders, the fleet was quickly replenished not just with new ships, but with modern examples of shipbuilding from various "shipbuilding schools". Having chosen the best of them, it was supposed to start serial construction of cruisers at domestic factories.

Construction and testing

In accordance with the contract, the company had to build a cruiser for 3.78 million rubles (8.2 million German marks) without the cost of weapons and hand it over to a special selection committee 23 months from the date of signing the contract. The entire amount was divided into 10 equal payments and was payable as the ship was built. Penalties were provided for non-compliance with the terms of the contract, and fines for shortfall in speed significantly exceeded fines for failure to meet deadlines. So, for example, in the case of a cruiser developing an average speed of less than 21, but more than 20 knots, 25% of the payment amount was withheld from the company, and for late delivery - 1% for each month of delay. If the speed was less than 20 knots, then the Naval Ministry could abandon the ship altogether.

The management of the joint-stock company considered the order for Russia as prestigious and, for advertising purposes, tried to build a cruiser faster and better than its competitors. Therefore, work at the shipyard began on October 24, 1898, when the first batch of metal for ship structures arrived in Kiel from the steel-rolling plant in Essen, that is, before the approval of detailed drawings by the customer. The naval agent in Germany, Lieutenant A.K. Polis, reported to the Main Naval Headquarters that by November 1, the cruiser's keel was already ready for its entire length, 1/3 of the frames were exposed, and the assembly of the foundations of the machines had begun. Meanwhile, the MTK found many shortcomings in the drawings sent a month earlier, and there were no strength and stability calculations in the project at all. Therefore, to resolve all issues on December 29, the directors of the company arrived in St. Petersburg - they are also the authors of the project: Rauchfuss (for the hull) and Schultz (for the mechanical installation). The calculation of the specialists of the MTK that significant changes could be made to the project did not materialize, since the bottom was ready, the frames were brought to the height of the armored deck, and four belts of the outer skin were installed. The Germans categorically refused to make a forecastle so as not to dismantle what had already been assembled and, for fear of getting a trim on the bow, the MTK was forced to agree, although this reduced seaworthiness. As a result, a compromise decision was made - the bow superstructure was lengthened forward and a tank (linear) 152-mm gun was raised onto it. It turned out that in the project, compared with the outline drawing, the number of transverse watertight bulkheads was reduced from 16 to 12, and the double bottom remained only in the engine and boiler rooms. The double bottom was restored along the entire length of the ship, but it was no longer possible to increase the number of bulkheads - all the interior spaces would have to be re-planned. Here the ITC had to give way, but the committee nevertheless took revenge on a number of positions; after stubborn resistance, the company agreed to the side bilge keels, longitudinal bulkheads under the armored deck throughout the engine and boiler rooms, the dispersion of the side 152-mm guns, the thickening of the decks in some places, and a number of others. The Naval Ministry had to pay extra for the use of steel-nickel Krupp armor, since this was not included in the contract in a timely manner.

A lot of controversy was caused by the issue of chimneys. The shipbuilding department of the ITC demanded that their number be reduced in order to reduce the target area and the cruiser's drifting downwind due to the large sail of the bow. Engineer Schultz categorically refused to remove at least one pipe, even the thinnest - the front one, fearing that this would lead to a decrease in speed by one knot. He was supported by the mechanical department, and the ship remained five-pipe. Since work on the slipway continued in full swing in Kiel, after persistent disputes on each item of the specification and drawings, the ITC on January 19, 1899 was forced to approve the project with 55 points of comments and additions.

As early as December 21, 1898, the cruiser was given the name "Askold" in honor of the prince who ruled in Kyiv in the second half of the 9th century and under whose leadership the first campaign against Constantinople was made. The name "Askold" was carried by a 46-gun frigate, launched in the St. Petersburg New Admiralty on July 6, 1854 and dismantled in Kronstadt in 1861. Then his name passed to the corvette launched at the Okhta shipyard on October 15, 1863. The second "Askold" was excluded from the lists of the fleet thirty years later. The third ship with this name - a cruiser of the 1st rank - was added to the lists of the fleet on January 11, 1899, and its official laying took place only six months later, on July 8, without a solemn ceremony. Direct control the progress of the construction at the shipyard was carried out by the "Observing" Commission, headed by Captain 1st Rank N.K. Reizenshtein, who later became the first commander of the "Askold". Members of the commission not only meticulously monitored the firm's compliance with the contract and specifications, but also made many proposals for improving the cruiser, its internal structure and mechanisms.

On March 2, 1900, the hull was successfully launched, loading and installation of the mechanical installation began. The company accelerated the construction: the number of workers increased, the working day reached 20 hours. By autumn, all the boilers and machines were installed and assembled, the decks were riveted and hammered, the equipment of cabins and various rooms began. The team arriving in parties from Russia, together with the officers, all work time spent on the ship. By the anniversary of the launch, the cruiser looked almost ready outwardly: among the many ships in Kiel, she stood out with her five elegant thin tubes. 152-mm guns, bridges, masts were in place. Inside, hard work continued to prepare the mechanisms for mooring trials.

April 11, 1901 new ship went to sea for the first time. Factory testing has begun. Due to a malfunction of the feed pumps, it was not possible to raise the steam pressure above 14 atm, nevertheless, the cruiser reached a speed of 18.25 knots, which was not so bad for the first exit. Members of the monitoring commission drew attention to the strong vibration. At their request, work began to reinforce the bridge, although the company's engineers considered the vibration to be within the limits characteristic of high-speed ships. On May 23, the cruiser again entered the factory tests, in which they hoped to reach the contract speed. But the machines worked with a knock, the vibration intensified. I had to sort out the bearings and make a thorough inspection of the mechanisms. The next time, on June 9, the machines worked much better and the cruiser made her first transition along the Kiel Canal to Hamburg for docking and back to Kiel already around the Jutland Peninsula. July 24 selection committee officially started its work. Shooting from 152-mm guns revealed the insufficient strength of the structure of the bridges, cabins, superstructures, which received damage.

September 6 "Askold" went to the official tests on the Danzig measured mile. The plant provided selected fresh Cardiff coal and the most experienced stokers for testing. With a displacement of 5950 tons, the average speed of four 2-mile runs was 23.39 knots, and the average power was 19,601 liters, the maximum speed exceeded 24 knots. On September 15 and 17, 6-hour tests took place. The average speed was 23.59 and 23.83 knots, respectively, the maximum - 23.98 and 24.01 knots with a maximum power of 21,100 and 20,885 hp. After fixing minor faults on November 3, the cruiser entered an additional test and developed a record power of 23,500 hp. The machines ran smoothly, without knocking in the bearings and etching of steam, vibration was significantly reduced. After 2 hours and 20 minutes of full speed, the commission, having made sure that all the conditions of the contract were fulfilled, announced the end of the running acceptance tests. "The fleet is receiving the fastest cruiser in the world," Reitsentstein wrote in one of his reports. On November 17, the Russian team moved to the cruiser and began full maintenance of all mechanisms. Official acceptance continued until January 6, 1902. By this time, new, higher masts were installed on the cruiser, and a wheelhouse was equipped on the upper bridge. On January 12, to the sounds of an orchestra and volleys of artillery salute, the Andreevsky flat, guis and pennant were solemnly raised.

Frame

The case is assembled according to the checkered (bracket) typing system. Cast fore and sternposts were attached to the vertical keel (height in the middle part 1844 mm, at the ends 1100 mm, thickness 16-11 mm). Parallel to the keel, there were six bottom stringers, the outer ones being waterproof and limiting the double-bottom space. and Frames were installed at a distance of 1100 mm from each other. On every fifth frame there were waterproof solid flora. The numbering of frames, as is customary in the German fleet, was carried out from stern to bow Between 115-13 sp. there was a double bottom in the engine rooms top bottom continued along the sides to the armored deck, forming longitudinal bulkheads at a distance of 575 mm from the outer skin
Along the sides in the middle between the extreme bottom stringers and the lower edge of the armored deck there was a side stringer, which was connected in the bow and stern parts with the decks of the platform. To ensure survivability in case of combat damage, the hull was divided by watertight bulkheads into 13 compartments.

The cruiser had three decks and platforms: the upper one (9.5 mm thick in the middle part and 7 mm thick at the extremities), battery or residential (b mm) and armored. Linoleum was laid on the decks: on the top - 7 mm thick, on the others - 3.5 mm. Sheets of outer skin were arranged in longitudinal rows (belts). The inner keel belts, passing in the middle of the bottom, had a thickness of 12 mm in the middle part of the hull and 10 mm at the extremities, the side belts - 8 - 11 mm, and the zygomatic, shirstrechny and at the waterline - 13 mm. In addition, the sheerstrachny belt above the side windows was doubled with sheets 10 mm thick.

Along the entire length of the ship at the waterline there were side cofferdams 0.6 m wide and 1.2 m high above the load waterline. According to the project, they were supposed to be filled with maize pulp and serve as additional protection. It was assumed that when water enters through small holes, the cellulose will swell and block the leak. Experiments with the use of such protection in the fleets of other countries were unsuccessful, and during the construction of Askold, the MTC decided to leave the rubber dams empty. To protect against corrosion, as well as fouling with algae and shells, the underwater part of the hull was covered with the proprietary paint "International" (red) by the company "Goltzapfel". in contact with copper and its alloys (stern tubes, kingstones), protectors - zinc bars were placed to prevent electrochemical corrosion. Coal pits were located over 50 - 97 sp. both under the armored deck and on it, along the sides, and served as additional protection .

Booking

An armored carapace deck ran along the entire length of the ship from stem to stern. Its lower edge in the middle part of the hull was 1400 mm below the load waterline. Above the boiler and engine rooms, the upper edge of the horizontal part of the armor deck was 390 mm above the waterline. The bevels of the deck made an angle of 37 degrees with its horizontal part and passed into it smoothly, with a rounding radius of 500 mm. All openings for chimneys and fans had armored gratings, and coal necks and hatches had armored covers. The armor plates consisted of two layers: the lower one made of shipbuilding steel 10 and 15 mm and the upper one made of alloyed nickel armor 30 and 60 mm. The horizontal part of the armored deck was 40 thick (10+30). bevels 75 (15+60) and 100 (10+30+60) mm.

The bases of the chimneys and the ammunition supply elevators were covered from the armored to the living deck by 40-mm vertical armor plates. The descent into the tiller compartment was protected by an inclined 100-mm armored coaming. Surface mine vehicles were protected by vertical 60-mm armor, and from below and above by 30-mm horizontal decks. The conning tower had 150 mm vertical wall armor and a traverse of the same thickness that covered the entrance, and the roof and deck had 40 mm. The rudder drives, machine telegraphs, speech tubes coming out of the conning tower were placed in an armored tube with a diameter of 400 and a thickness of 80 mm.

Ship mechanisms and systems

The machine-boiler plant was located in two engine rooms and five boiler rooms. Three main four-cylinder vertical triple-expansion steam engines of the Germania system each worked on its own propeller. In the forward engine room, the cars called "onboard" were crawling. In the rear (stern) engine room there was a machine that worked on the middle screw. The right and left screws rotated in the direction of the same name as the side, while the middle one was of left rotation. Each machine had a refrigerator with a cooling surface of 1980 square meters, one high and medium cylinder and 2 low pressure cylinders each. The cylinder diameters were 930. 1440 and 1630 mm, respectively, and the piston stroke was 950 mm. Steam for the machines was provided by 9 Thornycroft-Schultz boilers. 8 of which were placed in pairs in four boiler rooms, and 1 in the fifth. The highest allowable steam pressure was 17 kg / sq. cm, the total surface of the grate - 107 sq. m. and the total heating surface of the boilers is 5020 sq.m (large boiler - 580 sq.m., small - 480). The weight of one boiler with water was 46.2 tons (39 tons without water), steam output - 21.2 t / h, efficiency - 60%. coal consumption 1 kg/s.l.s. at one o'clock. allowable air pressure during forced operation - 80 mm of water column. To supply the boilers with water in each boiler room, there were two piston pumps of the Vira system.

A drainage system was used to pump out large masses of water entering through the hole. On the "Askold" it differed from the ships of earlier construction in the absence of a single main pipe that ran along the entire hull. Under the old system, all drainage means could pump water from any compartment. However, after several cases when the main pipe was damaged during navigational accidents (for example, the accident of the battleship Gangut in 1896 and its death in 1897), the Russian fleet preferred the autonomy of drainage facilities by compartments. On "Askold" any of the compartments was drained from the water by their own drainage means. In all boiler rooms and in the fifth and eleventh compartments, there were centrifugal dewatering pumps (turbines) with an electric drive. In addition to the turbines, there were four Ston hand pumps on the upper and battery decks.

To remove a small amount of water from the compartments, a drainage system was intended, which consisted of special pipelines and Wortingtoia steam piston pumps that were available in each compartment. They were able to pump out the remaining water, which the turbines of the drainage system could no longer take from the bilges of the side compartments and the double bottom. The system of flooding the cellars ensured their filling with water within 15 minutes. Water flowed into the cellars by gravity when the outboard kingston was unlocked. The valve stems were brought out into the battery deck and had screw caps with locks to prevent unauthorized flooding. The system of pipelines and valves made it possible to flood each cellar individually, as well as entire groups of adjacent cellars. The water was removed through the drain valves into the double-bottom space, and then with the help of a drainage system overboard.

The fire-fighting system included a main pipe passing under the armored deck and separated by means of clinkers into three independent parts. Branches of pipes extending above the armored deck to the fire horns, in case of combat damage, could be turned off by special clinkers. Water was supplied to the fire main by the Vortinpon pumps of the drainage system, which, in this case were used as bilge and fire pumps. Ston's hand pumps could also be used for firefighting purposes. To extinguish fires in coal pits with steam, there were special steam pipelines from the main boilers. In order to facilitate the exit of people from the engine and boiler rooms during large fires, shower funnels were provided in the exit shafts, creating a water curtain.

The water supply of the ship was provided by several systems: outboard, fresh washing and drinking water. The outboard (sea) water system supplied baths, latrines, showers in boiler rooms with water. The coastal fresh water system supplied wash basins, a bathhouse, a laundry, an infirmary, buffets, and galleys. The system of desalinated water (drinking) obtained by ship desalters supplied water to drinking tanks, buffets, galleys, etc. The role of water towers on the cruiser was performed by tanks located above the upper deck on superstructures. With the help of a pump, water was pumped into tanks, and from there it flowed to consumers by gravity. In addition, there was a supply of water for washing - 83 tons. The cruiser took a normal supply of 123 tons of boiler water. With the operation of five boilers, it was enough for 10 days of a 15-wheel walk. A full supply of boiler water (370 tons) could provide navigation for a month. In the aft engine room there were two seawater desalination plants, which provided 280 tons of fresh water per day for boilers and for drinking. Water pipelines and cisterns of washing, drinking and boiler water did not communicate with each other.

The cruiser's living and service areas were heated by a low-pressure steam heating system. Steam from the main boilers with a pressure reduced to two atmospheres, through steam pipelines, entered the batteries (heaters). The exhaust steam was condensed and discharged through pipes to fresh water tanks. In officer cabins, saloons and wardrooms, steam heaters were covered with marble boards.

The ventilation system on the cruiser was divided into natural and artificial. During the design (as well as in the case of drainage and drainage systems), the requirement was fulfilled to avoid cutting pipes through the main and, if possible, secondary bulkheads. Each compartment had its own fans. Particular attention was paid to the ventilation of engine and boiler rooms, where the unbearable heat made the already hard work of stokers and machinists unbearable. In the stokers there were two pressure centrifugal fans of the Black system with a steam drive. Each engine room was ventilated by one electric-driven intake and one exhaust centrifugal fan. In the rooms above the boiler rooms, the effect of increasing the natural draft from heating the ventilation shafts with hot air was used. Under the armored deck forward and aft from the engine and boiler rooms, ventilation was carried out by screw-type electric fans. The rooms above the armored deck had natural ventilation, with the exception of clothes dryers, provisional cellars and a room for small dynamos.

Due to the fact that smokeless powder emitted ethereal gases and decomposed when the temperature rose, separate ventilation worked in the artillery cellars with cooling of the injected air. Insulators were installed in the ventilation pipes leading to the cellar to prevent lightning strikes. The coal pits also required special attention and periodic ventilation, where the possibility of spontaneous combustion of coal emitting flammable gases was not ruled out. To control the temperature in all coal pits, special temperature tubes were installed, going from the bottom of the ohm to the battery deck.

Launching of the armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold"

Artillery armament

Upon commissioning, the cruiser had twelve 152-mm and 75-mm guns, eight 47-mm and three 37-mm Hotchkiss guns, two 63.5-mm Baranovsky landing guns and two machine guns.

152-mm (six-inch) guns of the 1891 model were manufactured at the Obukhov plant under license from the French engineer Canet and were located on the upper deck and bow superstructure. The 75-mm (three-inch) guns of the Kane system of the 1891 model on installations designed by Meller were located on the battery deck without shields.

Six 47-mm guns of the Hotchkiss system of the 1896 model were installed permanently, and two - on removable machines - could be transferred to two steam boats. Similarly, two 37-mm Hotchkisses of the 1V96 model could be removed and used on the cruiser's launches.

Two 63.5-mm guns of the Baranovsky model of 1882 on a wheeled carriage were intended for naval assault. Their light weight made it possible to unload them from the cruiser with an arrow onto a longboat or boat and manually deliver them to the shore. They were located on the upper deck - like two machine guns of the Maxim system.

Ammunition for 152-mm guns was calculated for 3 hours of combat, 180 rounds per gun, for 75-mm - for 2.5 hours of combat, 650 rounds each. The ammunition of the main caliber consisted of 564 armor-piercing, 564 high-explosive, 624 cast iron, 372 segmental shells, and 75-mm: 1500 armor-piercing and 2116 cast iron. After the Russo-Japanese War, cast-iron and segment shells were replaced with high-explosive ones.

Artillery ammunition was stored in 12 cellars (six of them were intended for 152-mm, three for 75-mm and three for small-caliber artillery). Total capacity: 2204 - 152mm, 3616 - 75mm, 5990 - 47mm, 1620 -37mm rounds.

The supply of shells, charges and unitary cartridges from the cellars was carried out by 14 electric elevators (eight for the main caliber and three for 75-mm and small-caliber guns) or in a backup way - hand winches. In the event of their failure, manual feed using hoists was provided, but the feed rate of the elevators was three times higher. The ammunition was stored in cellars and served on decks in gazebos. From the elevators to the guns, the pavilions along the railroad tracks were pulled by sailors by hand. The storage of ammunition in gazebos ensured a high feed rate, but reduced the usable volume of cellars. There were no special devices for loading shells onto the ship; they were either loaded manually along ladders from a barge or from a wall, or through open ports of 75-mm guns.

On the upper bridge and aft superstructure there were two rangefinders Barra and Stroud. The control of artillery fire from the conning tower was provided by the electrical system of the company N.K. Geisler. Taking into account the firing angles of the guns and the location of the armor, the most advantageous for the artillery battle of the cruiser were heading angles from 45 to 60 degrees on both sides. During the service of the ship, the artillery armament changed: two 75-mm, two 47-mm guns, machine guns and both Baranovsky cannons were left in the besieged Port Arthur. Subsequently, two ports of 75-mm guns were closed up. During the First World War, two 47-mm and two 57-mm British and two 47-mm French anti-aircraft guns and four machine guns were removed and installed.

Armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold" in the floating dock of the company "Blom und Voss" in Hamburg, 1901"

Mine armament

The cruiser had six 381 mm mine launchers for firing Whitehead mines. On the battery deck in the diametrical plane, there were bow and stern vehicles with an air firing system. Of the four onboard vehicles, two of Armstrong's underwater systems had an air firing system, and two of the surface ones of the Putilov plant had a gunpowder firing system. The bow, stern and underwater TTs were stationary, the surface boards could turn on the apple hinge within 45 ° ahead and 35 ° behind the beam. In the conning tower there were sights for each device, the command to fire was transmitted by electric indicators. In addition, each device was equipped with a sighting port with a mine sight, which made it possible to fire independently.

14 Whitehead mines were stored on board, 12 were stored at the vehicles on rotary racks, and two spares for underwater vehicles in the aft mine compartment.

To arm the steam boats, there were two removable apparatus and throwing mines. Cylinders of mines and vehicles with an air firing system were filled with compressed air using three Schwarzkopf pumps (compressors), located below the armored deck. It took 10 minutes to recharge the device. After the Russo-Japanese War, airborne surface vehicles were dismantled.

In a special mine cellar in the aft part, 35 mines of the 1898 model were stored. For their setting, a collapsible mine raft was placed on board. The mines were removed from the cruiser in Port Arthur.

To protect against self-propelled mines (torpedoes), "Askold" had a removable net barrier, which consisted of steel attached to the board, steel nets and equipment. When setting, the poles were installed perpendicular to the board, unfastened with braces, and a net was suspended from their ends. Its twenty panels measuring 7.6x6 m consisted of woven metal rings with a diameter of 152 mm. In a marching manner, the poles were unfastened along the side, and the rolled nets were laid on the buttocks.

All electrical equipment also belonged to mine weapons. On the cruiser, six steam dynamos from Siemens and Halske with a total capacity of 336 kW served as a source of electricity. Four of them, with a capacity of 67 kW each, were located under the armored deck, and two (34 kW each) were located in a separate wheelhouse on the upper deck.

The ship's 105 V direct current electrical network consisted of three ring mains - for powering electric motors, lighting and searchlights. Electricity consumers were elevator winches, sump pumps, 723 light bulbs, engine and steering telegraphs, mine and artillery indicators, rudder position indicators, telephones, bells, loud bells. six projectors of the Mangin system with a mirror diameter of 75 cm with manual and remote electric control.

Ship devices

Steering gear. The steering wheels on the Askold were of a balancing type, the frame of each steering wheel was made of cast steel, sheathed with steel sheets 8 mm thick and filled with cork. For ferries, the steering gear allowed at full speed to shift the steering wheel from side to side in 30 seconds. The control valve of the steering machine was carried out from four posts, which had steering wheels with hydraulic and electric drives: in the combat, in the running and aft cabins and in the tiller compartment. In the event of a malfunction of the steam engine, steering control was transferred to a manual steering wheel in the tiller compartment.

The anchoring device consisted of two Hall anchors with retractable rods, two cat-beams, Baxter bow fairleads and two spare anchors on the deck. On the baja there was a steam spire with two vertical drums for chain ropes and one double drum for mooring cables. On the poop there is a small steam capstan for mooring.

Watercraft

In addition to the standard wooden yawls and whaleboats, the cruiser carried two steel steam launches, a working launch, a semi-barge and a motor launch. Steam boats with a displacement of 12.25 tons were capable of traveling 180 miles at full speed of 9.35 knots and were armed with a 47-mm Hotchkiss gun at the bow and a Maxim machine gun at the stern. Instead of a gun, a throwing mine apparatus could be installed. The working launch was adapted to carry the Baranovsky landing gun, and two half-boats were armed with 37-mm Hotchkiss cannons. For laying mines, there was a collapsible mine raft of the Black Sea Fleet model, which raised six mines. It took 20 minutes to assemble and launch it, and another ten to load mines.

Crew

Upon entry into service, the regular equipment of the cruiser looked like this: 21 officers, 9 conductors, 550 lower ranks (non-commissioned officers, sailors). During the First World War: 19 officers, 11 conductors, 620 lower ranks.

Overall evaluation of the project

The advantages and disadvantages of the long-range reconnaissance program of 1898 were determined to a greater extent by the “design program” than by the developers of projects related to strict requirements. The main disadvantage of the Askold and its brethren was the lack of an armor belt along the waterline. side cofferdams cannot serve as sufficient protection against hits in the area of ​​the waterline of shells of caliber from 152 mm and above.Even if the bevel of the armored deck remained intact, water through the mouths deformed by the explosion, holes of knocked out or loosened rivets, parted seams of decks and bulkheads flooded several onboard compartments and gradually filtered into the neighboring ones. The holes received by Askold and Diana at the waterline in the battle on July 28, 1904 were the main reason for their internment in Shanghai and Saigon. After the war, the very idea of ​​​​protecting the vital parts of cruisers with only a carapace armored deck instead of belt armor was subjected to criticism. So, the teacher of the Naval Academy N.L. Klado wrote: “As for the large armored cruisers, their uselessness is beyond any doubt, and it’s not worth dwelling on this, since it was decided long before this war in all fleets, with the exception, unfortunately, of the Russian one. This opinion was also shared by Captain 1st Rank L.F. Dobrotvorsky, who commanded the cruiser Oleg in the Battle of Tsushima. Indeed, Germany did not reproduce either Askold or Bogatyr in its fleet, continuing to build well-protected armored cruisers with strong artillery and small cruisers with 105-mm artillery with a displacement of about 3000 tons. Also, the American Navy was not flattered by the Varyag project. However, it should be remembered that, when determining the main elements of future cruisers, the specialists of the ITC proceeded from the fact that long-range reconnaissance should be stronger and faster than the Japanese Takasago-class and English Arrogant-class cruisers. That is, do not intend to fight with armored cruisers, get away from them due to the advantage in speed. Then a comparison with modern armored cruisers of a similar displacement will be in favor of Askold. The main opponents of the cruiser "Takasago", "Chitose", "Kasagi", "Yoshino" during the tests developed a fairly high speed - up to 23 knots, but with a minimum load and a significant forcing of the boilers. Russian ships were tested in more severe conditions, which could give a difference in the course of up to two knots. In terms of the power of artillery fire, the Askold surpassed these rivals, and even more so the armored cruisers of a smaller displacement (Otova, Niytaka, Tsushima). and 1900 (displacement 5600 tons, speed - 20 - 21 knots, armament - 11 - 152 mm, 9 - 76 mm, 6 - 47 mm guns and 2 torpedo tubes). Two more of the same cruisers, the Challenger and the Encounter, were launched in 1902 and entered service in 1905. Moreover, large armored cruisers of 11,000 tons of the Diadem and Argonaut types with 16 152-mm, 14 76-mm guns and a speed of 20-21 knots were built in parallel in England. In France, by 1901, the Chateaureno armored cruiser had developed 24 knots with a displacement of about 8000 tons, but it was inferior to our cruisers in armament, having 2 165-mm, 6 140-mm and 10 47-mm guns. a year later, the Guichen, which developed an average speed of 23.55 knots during a 4-hour test, the next Jurien de la Graviere, with a displacement of 5685 tons, was armed with 8 165-mm and 10 47-mm guns, had a speed of more than 21 knots Thus, in Klado's assessment of large armored cruisers, there was an inaccuracy: they were built in the largest maritime powers... And when comparing the Askold with contemporary armored cruisers, we can reasonably conclude that it surpassed them in most elements.

Now let's compare the "Askold" with the "Varyag" and "Bogatyr" built on the same assignment with him. The "Varyag" was put into operation faster than anyone, but it turned out to be the most expensive: its total cost, together with weapons and ammunition, is 6 million rubles, "Askold" - 5 million, - "Bogatyr" - 5.5 million. Under the conditions of the "design program, the Americans on the Varyag, where 152-mm guns did not even have shields, solved the problem of protecting artillery less successfully. The Bogatyr artillery was the most protected: 4 152-mm guns - in the towers, the same number - in casemates, and only 4 more in deck installations. However, from the point of view of fire control, the Askold was distinguished by the best arrangement of guns. All of its 152 mm guns were located on the upper deck, and the 75 mm - on the deck below. On the Bogatyr, the 152-mm and 75-mm guns were interspersed in the middle part, which made it difficult to control their fire. The Bogatyr's side salvo could involve eight main-caliber guns, the Askold's seven, and the Varyag's six. But due to the fact that the rate of fire of the Bogatyr's turret guns was half that of the deck mounts, the Askold was in fact the leader in terms of salvo weight.

When designing the "Askold", the specialists of the company "Germany", fearing failure to fulfill the terms of the contract in terms of speed, unnecessarily narrowed the hull and tried to lighten the ship as much as possible. According to the requirements of the Ministry of Transport and the Supervisory Commission, during the construction, some structures were strengthened, additional reinforcements were made, as a result of which the weight of the hull turned out to be 83 tons more than in the original project. During operation, the “ease of construction” made itself felt by vibration and, as they said then, by the fact that the hull “breathed” at high speed. In 1903, two floors burst in the stern and additional reinforcements had to be carried out. The haste of the builders deprived the "Askold" of the forecastle, which was offered by the shipbuilding department of the MTK, and therefore, on the oncoming ocean wave, he buried his nose in the water.

In terms of habitability, the Askold differed from its contemporaries for the worse (it had narrow passages, less comfortable cockpits). But the design and workmanship of the mechanical installation of the cruiser were beyond praise. Boilers and machines have proved to be reliable and very economical. As confirmation, one can cite at least such a fact that 7300 tons of coal were used up for 18,500 miles traveled by the Askold in 1902, while the Varyag needed 8000 tons to travel 8000 miles! Looking ahead, we note that it was thanks to the excellent machine installation that Askold was able to make his famous breakthrough in the battle on July 28, 1904.

On campaigns and battles

On January 27, 1902, the cruiser left the Kiel Bay and two days later entered the outport of the port of Emperor Alexander 3 (Libau), where it stayed until May 1, and then joined the detachment of ships under the command of Rear Admiral G.P. Chukhnin, sailing from the Far East to Kronstadt. During the summer, progressive tests were carried out on the Askold, the shooting of mine vehicles, a number of mechanisms, instruments and devices were installed, including a wireless telegraph station.

Having received full ammunition and supplies, on September 3, Askold left Kronstadt forever and headed for the Far East to reinforce the Pacific squadron. At the transition, the maneuverability and driving characteristics of the cruiser were studied, the optimal mode of operation of the boilers and main mechanisms was determined.

Along the way, completing a number of diplomatic missions in the ports of the Persian Gulf. "Askold" on February 13, 1903 anchored in the harbor of Port Arthur. Difficult passage through the seas of three oceans ended brilliantly.

Thanks to the successful design, high quality workmanship and competent operation, the cruiser machines worked perfectly. Immediately after the trip, at the control exit with the underwater part overgrown in tropical seas, Askold easily developed contact power and showed a speed of over 20 knots on a large wave. 9 double boilers designed by T. Schultz have also proven themselves well. They turned out to be more reliable and more economical than most boilers of other systems installed on the cruisers of the Russian fleet.

In accordance with the sailing program of the ships of the Askold squadron in 1903, it was necessary to stand in the armed reserve for five months and spend the winter in Vladivostok. But the situation in the Far East was heating up, Japan's preparations for war became more and more obvious, as was the superiority of its fleet.

While the Naval Ministry was trying to speed up the completion and sending to the East of the ships of the 1898 program, the Russian Foreign Ministry made attempts to ease tensions through diplomatic efforts. At the request of the ministry, ASKOLD was allocated to the envoy to Japan, A. P. Izvolsky.

As part of this "diplomatic" expedition, the cruiser visited Nagasaki, Yokohama, Kobe, visited the Chinese port of Taku, the British colony in China - Weihaipei and the German - Qingdao, and on April 30, 1903 returned to Port Arthur.

Armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold" after the installation of the navigation bridge. Autumn 1901

But already on May 3, Askold, together with the Novik cruiser, again went to sea. Their path lay in Vladivostok to meet the Minister of War, General of Infantry A.N. Kuropatkin. From the Askold, the minister toured the bays of Primorye and on May 28 arrived at the Japanese port of Shimonoseki. from where, together with his retinue, he left for Tokyo by train, and the "Askold" and "Novikh" moved to Kobe. With the arrival of the diplomatic mission there, the campaign continued. Having visited Nagasaki, the cruisers headed for Port Arthur, where they arrived safely on June 17 to the thunder of fireworks and the sound of an orchestra.

In Port Arthur, the crew finally got a rest after a stressful voyage, especially for the engine crew. During the "diplomatic" campaigns "Askold" confirmed the reputation of the best cruiser of the squadron: the machines and boilers worked flawlessly. The tense service of the ship was a serious test of all mechanisms and parts, showed a good quality of design and construction, high level operational service.

For a month the cruiser was in armed reserve, but on July 31 she again entered the campaign. Vice-Admiral E.I. Alekseev, Vice-Admiral in the Far East, needed to urgently go to Vladivostok to resolve the issues of preparing Primorsky Krai for defense. The transition went great. Vice-Admiral Alekseev, having thanked the crew for their excellent service, moved ashore. On the Askold, they intensively engaged in combat training.

On August 19, in Peter the Great Bay, the cruiser fired at the shield at a speed of 18 knots with a wind of 3-4 points. Although the visibility was poor (at times the shield was hidden in the fog), the Askold gunners showed good results: out of 36 152-mm shells fired, 7 hit the target, out of 36 75-mm -12 and out of 40 47-mm 5. It is interesting to compare these figures with the results of a similar shooting "Varyag", performed by him on December 16, 1903 (the last exercises before his famous battle) Although the "Varyag" fired at a slower speed (12.5 knots), from the same 36 fired 152-mm shells. 33 75-mm, 56 47-mm and 20 37-mm all three hit the shield: one 75-mm and two 47-mm.

August 23 as part of a detachment under the command of Rear Admiral E.A. Shtakelberg "Askold" along with the cruisers "Russia". "Gromoboy", "Bogatyr" weighed anchor and set off on a hike in the Sea of ​​Japan with a visit to the port of Hakodate on Hokkaido. After returning and a week-long stay in Vladivostok.

Armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold" in the Kiel Bay, 1901. On the stern flagpole of the cruiser is the state flag of Russia, because the ship has not officially entered service with the fleet yet.

"Askold" again went to sea on September 10, this time as part of a squadron of 6 battleships and 5 cruisers. The transition to Port Arthur was combined with maneuvers in which the ground forces of the Kwantung Peninsula and the fortress of Port Arthur took part.

The last important peacetime event for Askold was the change of commander. On January 17, 1904, N K. Reizenshtein, who was appointed head of the cruiser detachment (instead of E.A. Shtakelberg, who fell ill), handed over the ship to Captain 1st Rank K.A. Grammatchikov, the former commander of the 2nd destroyer detachment. Meanwhile, Russia's relations with its eastern neighbor became more and more aggravated every day. And the denouement was not long in coming...

On the evening of January 26, 1904, Japanese destroyers attacked the Russian squadron on the outer roadstead of Port Arthur without declaring war. The destroyers immediately returned fire, but three torpedoes still hit the squadron battleships Tsesarevich and Retvizan and the cruiser Pallada.

"Askold" stood in the first line and, by its location, was closest to danger. But thanks to the clear actions of the personnel, he managed to avoid hits. Strong return fire prevented the enemy from properly aiming, although two torpedoes passed dangerously close to the cruiser's stern.

On the morning of January 27, the main forces of the Japanese fleet under the flag of Commander Admiral H. Togo approached Port Arthur and engaged in battle with the ships and coastal batteries of the fortress stationed in the roadstead. Russian cruisers were closer to the enemy than battleships. The first 12-inch shell fell between Askold and Bayan, raising a huge column of water. Bayan, Askold and Novik found themselves between columns of battleships, but did not evade the battle, but boldly went on the attack.

The fastest Novik burst forward, trying to get closer to the distance of a torpedo shot, Bayan and Askold rushed after him, continuously firing from all guns. The Japanese shifted their fire to these three cruisers. To avoid hits, "Askold" began to zigzag, but still several enemy shells and many fragments reached the chain.

On the Askold, they dismantled the signal of the flagship: “The cruisers should not interfere with the battleships,” and the captain of the 1st rank Grammatchikov ordered to turn back. The cruisers came out of the fire. However, their risky attack played an important role. They distracted the enemy at a moment when our battleships had not yet lined up in a battle line. Together with the fire of coastal batteries and battleships, their activity forced Admiral Togo to stop the artillery duel and leave the Port Arthur area.

Within 40 minutes of the battle, Askold was hit by six shells and a large number of fragments from close gaps. Four gunners were killed, 10 sailors were injured.

Armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold" in the Kiel Canal, June 1901

The heaviest damage was caused by a large shell that hit the port side near the waterline in the area of ​​the 53rd frame and exploded in the cofferdam. Fragments pierced the internal longitudinal bulkhead, water began to flow into the coal pit behind it. Fortunately, the pit was completely filled with coal, and the neck was battened down, so that the ship did not even get a roll. In addition, the explosion broke two frames, a hole was formed in the outer skin with an area of ​​0.9 sq.m. Fragments of the same projectile damaged the 75-mm gun and pierced the charging compartment of the Whitehead mine, which was in the apparatus and finally prepared for firing. The red-hot fragments passed near the primer with explosive mercury, fortunately without causing detonation or ignition of the explosive. After this incident, the team believed that Askold was a happy ship. As soon as the cruiser got out of the shelling, a miner was lowered overboard to the surface vehicles, which unscrewed the drummers from the torpedoes.

Another shell tore off the barrel of the 152 mm gun on the starboard side. Another, large caliber, hit the fifth chimney and exploded, seriously damaging it. The fourth destroyed the navigational cabin, the fifth shot down the main topmast, the sixth pierced the side and damaged the wardroom.

After the battle, the battleships took refuge in the harbor, while the Askold, along with other cruisers, carried out sentinel service in the roadstead. For three days his boilers were under steam, and the team was in constant tension. And only then the ship was placed against the wall of the Marine Plant to repair the damage. By order of the governor Alekseev, 24 "lower ranks" of "Askold" were awarded the insignia of the military order of St. George.

After the repair was completed, the Askold on February 5 and 9 went out to reconnoiter the area adjacent to the fortress, and 11, together with the Bayan and Novik cruisers, took part in a firefight with four Japanese cruisers.

On the morning of February 12, the main forces of the Japanese fleet again approached Port Arthur. "Bayan", "Askold" and "Novik" were on the outer roadstead, covering the destroyers returning from the sea.

Six battleships and six armored cruisers of the Japanese opened fire. Our cruisers responded immediately. "Askold" at that moment was closest to the enemy. Let us give the floor to an eyewitness: “They showered us with shells, the water boiled, here and there large columns of water rose, the shells burst, showering fragments all around. Here, one after another, 2 shells fall behind our stern, and one is so close that it pours water on the poop deck. At this time, a shot from the stern cannon is heard, as if in response to an arriving guest. The dials ring every minute, showing the distance: 45. 45 1/4. 43...35; the shells fall closer and closer, but we move forward and our machine, which has always rescued us, takes us out of danger, the shells either fall astern, from the sides or ricochet to the shore. We fired continuously, rushing across the raid at full speed. After the first shot on the Askold, the barrel of a 152-mm gun was torn apart, fragments rained down on the deck. The distance between our and Japanese ships was reduced to 32 cables. Only a big move saved the "Askold" from fatal hits from heavy shells. The unique battle of three cruisers against 12 armored ships lasted about 30 minutes. Askold fired 257 shells at the enemy without receiving serious damage.

Armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold" in the Kiel Canal

On February 24, a new commander, Vice-Admiral S.O. Makarov, arrived in Port Arthur, and the activity of our fleet noticeably intensified. "Askold" as part of the squadron went to sea on February 27. March 9 and 13, and on March 9 - under the flag of Makarov. Upon returning from the last trip to the cruiser, Captain 1st Rank Reizenstein again arrived - this time as the head of the cruiser detachment. Since then, his braided pennant has practically never descended from Askold. On March 30, the cruiser went to sea for a Chinese junk that appeared on the horizon and brought her to Port Arthur. In the evening, Makarov arrived at Askold.

No one suspected that the night spent on the cruiser would be the last for the admiral. On the morning of March 31, Stepan Osipovich switched to the squadron battleship Petropavlovsk. On that fateful day for the Russian fleet, the admiral died along with his Flagship, which was blown up by an enemy mine ... In April, the Askold did not go to sea, the personnel participated in arming coastal batteries, the Askolds installed a steam dynamo machine, a boiler and a searchlight for illumination of the front of the land defense of the fortress. On redoubt No. 1, they installed four 75-mm guns and assisted in the installation of two 75-mm guns from Pobeda to fortification No. 2 and two 75-mm Tsesarevich guns to the Kurgan battery. sorted out separate mechanisms Miners under the direction of Lieutenant Kitkin blew up the masts of flooded fireships, checked all Whitehead's mines. By order of the viceroy, 16 machine guns were removed from the ships of the squadron, they armed the newly formed naval machine-gun battery. Two machine guns were handed over by Askold. Instead, machine guns were ordered in St. Petersburg, but they were never received until the end of the war.

May 5 "Askold" went to sea, covering the mine transport "Amur". When returning to the raid, due to the blinding rays of the sun from the cruiser, they did not notice the buoys of the fortress minefield. The ship passed through the minefield and apparently damaged 2-3 mines. Although the miners of the fortress company turned off the current during the passage of the ships, navigation through the mines cannot be considered safe. But fate here, too, favorably reacted to Askold.

During a fierce battle on the Kindzhous (Jinzhou) isthmus, Russian troops were supported from the flank by steam boats from the battleships "Retvisan", "Sevastopol" and the cruiser "Askold". The boats were armed with small-caliber guns and machine guns. Askoldovsky was commanded by midshipman F.F. Gerken. On May 13, he successfully fired on Japanese troops with a 47-mm gun. After the retreat of the Russian troops, the boat was blown up, and his team came to Port Arthur on foot.

After Kinjou was abandoned, two landing platoons were brought ashore from Askold, and two days later Grammatchikov received an order to remove 152-mm guns No. 5 and 6 and transfer them to the battleship Retvizan, and also take measures to increase the angle shelling of guns No. 7 and 8. On June 10, the squadron went to sea to break through to Vladivostok, but, having met the superior forces of the Japanese fleet, turned back. The Russian ships approached the raid when it was already dark and then our cruisers, sailing at the end of the wake column, attacked the enemy destroyers. On "Askold" they were noticed first and opened fire. These attacks continued until 4 o'clock in the morning.

When dawn broke, they saw from the ships that about a dozen Whitehead mines were floating in the roadstead. According to reports from our cruisers, it followed that several destroyers were sunk, but the Japanese do not confirm these data, recognizing only heavy damage to the Chidori destroyer. According to the report of the head of the cruiser detachment, the cruisers "Askold" and "Novik" had largest number attacks, all of them were repelled by sustained aimed fire ... According to the testimony of the commanders, all personnel performed their duty with complete composure and zeal, ”the document of that time said.

On June 23 and 24, Askold, who was on duty in the passage to the inner roadstead, opened fire on the approaching Japanese ships. According to Admiral Togo, it was b-th detachment destroyers. Two non-commissioned officers were seriously wounded by shells from the "Askold" on the destroyer No. 53 and 59. Over the next two weeks, "Askold" repeatedly went to sea, fired at Japanese land positions, fought a duel at long distances with enemy ships.

On July 14, Russian ships again opened fire on the Japanese. At about 13 o'clock in the afternoon, enemy destroyers approached, but they were timely detected by the Askold signalers, seven six-inch cruiser shells were enough for the destroyers to leave, but they were replaced by the armored cruisers Nissin and Kasuga and opened fire from their guns, superior to in terms of range artillery "Askold". Fragments from a close-exploded Japanese shell slightly damaged the chimney. At 15 o'clock, a Japanese mine was found behind the Askold's stern and shot at. Walking in the footsteps of "Bayan" was blown up by another mine. The only armored cruiser of the squadron, the flagship of the cruiser detachment, was out of action for a long time. His place was taken by "Askold".

The squadron went to sea to break through to Vladivostok "Askold" under the flag of Rear Admiral Reizenstein led a detachment of cruisers, marching in the wake column behind the battleships. At 12 30, the battle began. At 13.09 a 12-inch projectile (presumably from the battleship Shikishima) exploded at the base of the first funnel. Despite the fact that the lower part of the casing was flattened, it miraculously remained in place. Shrapnel disabled the first boiler. The explosion destroyed the cabin of the wireless telegraph, ladders to the bow superstructure and the upper bridge, mortally wounded midshipman Rklitsky and galvanizer Zhdanovich, who were standing at the bow rangefinder, and killed miner Nesterov. In response, "Askold" opened fire from 152-mm starboard guns, but the distance to the battleships was large, so only four shots were fired.

At 13.12 the second large shell hit the stern and exploded in the cabin of the senior navigator. The resulting fire was quickly extinguished. Three minutes later he turned left. Behind him, the rest of the cruisers came out of the shelling: "Novik", "Pallada", "Diana". Going behind the battleships, they made up the second column. "Askold" went on the left beam of the flagship battleship "Tsesarevich". The squadrons dispersed on counter courses, and the ships got a little respite. At 16.05, a semaphore of the squadron commander was received: -In the event of a battle, the head of the cruiser detachment should act at its discretion-. At 1650, the Japanese ships caught up with the squadron of Rear Admiral V.K. Vitgeft, and the battle resumed with renewed vigor.

After an hour and a half battle, the commander of the Russian squadron, V.K. Vitgeft, was killed. The flagship "Tsesarevich" jammed the steering wheel, and he began to circulate to the left. The formation of our battleships was broken, their position became threatening.

The detachment of cruisers, following the direction of movement of the flagship battleship, successively began to turn to the left. When they realized in the Askold's conning tower that the Tsesarevich was damaged, they turned right again and laid down on a course parallel to the line of battleships. At this time, the Japanese 1st combat detachment went around the head of the Russian column, and our cruisers were in the range of the guns of the lead Japanese battleships. The 5th Combat Detachment (Chin-Yen, Matsuima, Itsukushima and Hasidate) approached closer from the west. 6th ("Suma", "Ahashi". "Akitsushima", "Ideumi"), armored cruiser "Asama" and destroyers. The total number of enemy ships observed at the seventh hour in the evening is recorded in the logbook as 45.

Russian battleships turned towards Port Arthur. "Askold", and after him all the cruisers and destroyers, at first followed their example, but soon Reizenstein made a decision, supported by the commander and officers who were nearby in the conning tower, to go for a breakthrough, taking on the enemy's fire, not stopping at the risk of dying. On the foremast of the Askold, signal flags flew up: "Cruisers follow me." Thick puffs of smoke billowed from the cruiser's four undamaged funnels, and the sharp stem churned the water. The rest of the cruisers also increased their speed.

At 18.50 "Askold" opened fire and headed straight for the armored cruiser "Asama", which was moving separately. Soon a fire broke out on Asama, as a result of which the Japanese cruiser "increased its speed and began to move away" - as recorded in the Askold logbook. Assessing the position of the enemy, Reizenstein considered its weakest point in the southwestern direction, where the cruisers of the 3rd combat detachment were located. Having bypassed the Russian battleships from the starboard side, the formation of which by this time had become similar to a double front, the Askold turned sharply to the left, crossing their course. It was impossible to miss their battleships and pass astern from them - the cruisers would expose themselves to the guns of the main detachment of Admiral Togo.

"Askold" developed a full speed and, dispersing with the battleships, headed south. It was followed by the detachment's cruisers, but the Diana and Pallada immediately fell behind, and only the Novik kept in the wake. The battleships, as before, went in the direction of Port Arthur and soon disappeared from sight. After some confusion, the enemy rushed to intercept. “The Japanese, apparently, did not expect such a maneuver, and he immediately diverted a decent part of the fire from the battleships to the Askold,” Reizenstein later wrote.

The cruiser "Askold" on the roadstead of Port Arthur in 1904 (in the background - the battleship "Peresvet")

The armored cruiser "Yakumo" rushed to the "Askold", firing at it from 203-mm and 152-mm guns. Behind him, the cruisers of the 6th detachment sparkled with flashes of shots, which also blocked the path of our ships. From the left and behind, the cruisers of the 3rd detachment of Rear Admiral Dev set off in pursuit. The terminal ship of the 1st combat detachment "Nissin" and the ships of the 5th detachment also transferred fire to the "Askold". Showered with shells from all sides, the cruiser responded by fighting on both sides, bow and stern. Dozens of shells fell around the cruiser, raising high columns of water and showering her with a hail of fragments. High speed, maneuverability and accuracy of return fire explain the fact that the cruiser survived the monstrous hurricane of fire. But from time to time his body shuddered from shells. The concussion was so great at the same time that the arrows on the pressure gauges bounced off, electric bulbs burst. It was reported to the conning tower that water was flowing into the left aft engine room and into the right coal pit of the second stoker. Below there was a struggle with water, and at the top gunners developed the maximum rate of fire. The flashes and roar of their shots merged with the explosions of other people's shells. Fires broke out here and there. The gunners rushed to extinguish them, and the sailors of the fire battalion replaced the comrades who fell at the guns. Increasingly, stretchers and orderlies were required on the upper deck. The wounded were lowered with great difficulty to the dressing station under the armored deck in the room of underwater mine vehicles. In conditions of terrible heat and cramped conditions, doctors Chernyshev and Gladky did everything possible to alleviate the suffering of people.

At a critical moment, when the enemy armored cruiser blocked the way and several Japanese cruisers concentrated their fire on the Askold, the ship's engines gave 132 revolutions, that is, more than during the acceptance tests.

The armored cruiser Yakumo was closer than the others and posed the greatest danger. Reizenstein ordered to head straight for him. On the "Askold" in the morning they prepared underwater mine vehicles, and at the surface combat charging compartments were attached to the mines, without inserting only drummers and ignition cartridges. The senior mine officer Kitkin was ordered to prepare the vehicles for firing. But there was no need to shoot mines.

The quick fire of the Askold caused damage to the Takasago-class cruiser, and a fire broke out on the Yakumo, and he hurried to retreat. "Askold" and "Novik" swept literally behind his stern. Four Japanese destroyers launched an attack on the Russian cruisers on the right, from the forward heading angles. From the "Askold" they saw the launch of four torpedoes, which, fortunately, passed by. The fire of the starboard guns was transferred to the enemy destroyers, and the Japanese turned away. A successful hit of a 152-mm shell on a destroyer was observed, which, according to the Askoldovites, sank. In the logbook at 19.00 it is written: "The enemy destroyer was sunk, continuing heavy fire on the cruisers, which were on the bow and on the left krambol." (However, later it turned out that there were no losses of ships in the battle on July 28.)

In some 152-mm guns, after firing at high elevation angles, the arcs of the vertical guidance mechanisms failed, and the teeth crumbled. During the rollback, the guns sagged more than normal, and they were rolled manually with great difficulty. The supply of shells acted non-stop, despite the fact that at the 152-mm elevators, the cables of the lifting frame were broken by fragments. In these cellars, ammunition was fed manually, but there were no delays and missed shots due to a lack of shells.

Despite the loss of men, the guns did not stop firing. The wounded and killed were replaced "without distinction of rank" - officials, landlords, in a word, everything up to a civilian cook. Priest Father Porfiry "heroically walked along the upper deck with a cross, blessing the soldiers."

Armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold" in Qingdao

The people in the cellars worked in cramped enclosed spaces, not knowing what was going on upstairs. Engineers and stokers were in even worse conditions. When a large projectile hit the upper part of the fifth chimney, a flame flared up in the fifth stoker from the blower and the compartment was filled with smoke. But thanks to the overpressure, thrust was quickly restored. At boiler No. 8, fragments that flew through the armor grille pierced the casing and several hot water pipes, which gave little steam. The hole in the casing of the boiler was small, and in order not to reduce the speed at the critical moment of the battle, the boiler was left in action. From the conning tower all the time they demanded to keep more speed. Forcing boilers allowed the maximum. The air pressure in the stokers reached 80 mm of water column.

The combat watch of the engine crew did not have a shift. Some machinists worked without a break for more than 16 hours. “The drivers had to be pumped out at the end every 15 minutes with cold water. Many were groping - so it corroded their eyes. Some had convulsions from fatigue - they had to be pumped with a stream from a hose and thus brought to life,” testified the senior mechanic.

After the battle, Reizenstein wrote in a report to the Main Naval Headquarters about the Askold and Novik teams: “I sincerely cannot point out who distinguished both of these cruisers: commanders, officers, mechanics, doctors, lower ranks behaved steadfastly, bravo, coolly, without fuss , smashing the enemy, did their duty.

The road to the open sea was now blocked only by the cruisers of the 6th detachment. "Askold" turned sharply and "rushed to the cruiser" Suma ". He, like the previous ones, stepped aside at full speed, cleared the way. The enemy ships fell noticeably behind, but continued to fire for some time. At 19.40, an entry appeared in the logbook: -Break through the enemy cruisers-. In the ensuing darkness, it became more difficult to aim the guns, the intensity of the fire decreased, the Japanese ships gradually lagged behind. At 20.20 “they ceased fire, as the enemy was hiding in the darkness. "Novik", "Pallada", "Diana" are not visible behind the darkness, "- recorded in the logbook "Askold". "Novik" followed its flagship until 01.30, then lagged behind due to malfunctions in the mechanisms.

At dawn on July 29, it turned out that the Japanese cruisers Akashi, Ideumi, Akitsushima continued to pursue the Askold. But, unable to withstand the combat with the Russian cruiser’s vehicles, they disappeared over the horizon in a couple of hours. Finally, the Askoldites had the opportunity to look around and count the losses. It turned out that during the breakthrough, the cruiser received more severe damage than expected at night. One officer and ten sailors were killed in the battle, four officers and 44 sailors were wounded. The guns fired 226 high-explosive 152-mm, 155 steel 75-mm, 65 cast-iron 75-mm and 160 47-mm shells at the enemy. Immediately after the breakthrough, four 152-mm guns remained in service, and one more was restored overnight. Gun No. 10, fully operational, could not fire due to the fact that the shell that exploded under it smashed the reinforcements and the deck.

In the battery deck in the officer's compartment, 75-mm cartridges lying on the arbors on the elevator rails exploded from being hit by fragments. The cruiser lost both rangefinder stations, electrical wires were broken in many places, 10 combat dials were broken - that is, artillery fire control devices were disabled.

On the starboard side, the Askold had four small underwater holes at the 7th - 10th frames, through which water entered the skipper's pantry. Between the 83rd - 84th frames, the holes were above the waterline, but as a result of deformations, the seams of the skin parted, and water entered the coal pit. Between the 28th and 29th frames, the shell pierced the outer side three meters above the waterline, destroyed the cabin and damaged the mount under the 152-mm gun.

The cruiser "Askold" as part of the allied squadron during the Dardanelles operation. 1915

On the left side there were two underwater holes on the 32nd - 33rd and 46th - 47th frames. In these places, in addition to damage to the obshiaki with an area of ​​​​0.75 square meters, the frames themselves were killed, the beams were loosened. About 3 tons of water per day entered the submersible department through deformed rivets. This hole was especially dangerous, since it turned out to be only three and a half meters from the hole received on January 27 and only temporarily patched up without restoring the broken frames. In total, the cruiser took 100 tons of water, which, however, was not noticeable outwardly - there was no roll and trim. The armored deck remained intact.

A sad picture was the pipes of the cruiser. The 1st was broken and flattened at the very base, all the backstay pipes were cut off, so it held on miraculously. The fragments caused a lot of minor damage. 2nd. 3rd. The 4th chimney was pierced in many places by large fragments and, like pockmarks, dotted with small ones. The 5th trumpet has become shorter by one third. A significant loss for the team was the complete destruction of both cambouque plates. The boats and boats looked like a sieve. And yet the cruiser could develop a course of up to 15 knots. Having accepted reports on the state of the ship, Reizenstein was convinced that the Askold was not able to fight, breaking through the Korea Strait. It was dangerous and just swimming and fresh weather in the ocean. Therefore, we decided to go to Shanghai, repair the most significant damage, replenish supplies and then try to break through to Vladivostok around Japan.

At noon on July 30, 1904, the Askold anchored at the mouth of the Vuzung River. A few days later, Reizenstein received an order from St. Petersburg to disarm the ship. As a matter of fact, there was no choice: the repair was just nearing completion, and Shanghai had already received a squadron of Rear Admiral Urpu, consisting of the Tokiva armored cruiser, two armored cruisers and two destroyers. On August 11, "Askold" and the destroyer "Grozovoi", which came soon after him, lowered the flags. The locks of guns, the fighting compartments of Whitehead mines, rifles and some parts of the machines were removed and handed over to the Chinese arsenal, on August 28 the cruiser was taken out of the dock and placed at the pier of the Russian society of the CER together with the Grozov and the gunboat Manjur interned at the very beginning of the war.

The ships, repainted in peaceful white color, stood here for more than a year. Only on October 2, 1905, in Shanghai, they received a notification of the ratification of the peace treaty between Russia and Japan. On October 11, the Andreevsky flag was again raised on the Askold, and on November 1, under the command of the new commander, Captain 2nd Rank K.V. Stetsenko, the cruiser sailed to Vladivostok. Because of the revolutionary events in Vladivostok, the Askold was detained in Slavyansky Bay until November 15. And immediately upon arrival at the port, the dismissal of sailors who had served their time began. About 400 people left the cruiser in two weeks. December 9 "Askold" was enrolled in a separate detachment of ships for the protection of the Ussuri region. On May 24 of the following year, the cruiser, which had been in the Baltic Fleet since it was built, was transferred to the Siberian Flotilla, and its crew to the Siberian Naval Crew. In the summer, Askold several times went to the Amur Bay for practical shooting, bypassed the bays closest to Vladivostok, and spent half of the autumn in the dock.

At noon on February 1, 1907, the Askold, led by a new commander - Captain 2nd Rank S.A. Glizyan - went on the first post-war long-distance campaign. After entering Shanghai, he headed for the shores of Indochina. Here on March 15, following to Saigon under the pilotage. "Askold" ran aground, not marked on the map. Attempts to get off it, working the machines backwards, did not work at first, but after about an hour the tide freed the Cruiser. Subsequently, during docking between the horizontal and side keel of the starboard side, a dent about 40 m long was found. It was considered that it did not affect the strength of the hull and driving performance, so they decided not to fix it. On the way back, Askold visited Hong Kong, Amoy, Shanghai and Qingdao, and on April 30 saluted as she entered the Golden Horn. The cruiser used up the credits for sailing this year, therefore, from June 1, it entered the armed reserve. Part of the team was written off to the crew, while the rest, together with the workers of the port, were engaged in the repair of vehicles and the replacement of 152-mm guns.

On October 17, part of the crew took part in the uprising in Vladivostok. Several lower ranks were arrested and put on trial. Seven were sentenced to death, many received various terms of hard labor. The cruiser commander, accused of not taking decisive action "to stop the unrest", was subject to trial. On January 25, 1908, Captain 1st Rank S.A. Glizyan shot himself in the commander's cabin. During 1908, "Askold" stood in the armed reserve for nine months and only for three - from August 20 to November 20 - was listed as "swimming". Now the cruiser was destined for the role of a flagship, because after the ships that survived the Russo-Japanese war left for the Baltic, it remained the largest and most powerful combat unit of the Russian fleet in the waters of the Far East.

In the navigation of 1908-1910, the Askold went to sea several times to test vehicles, combat training and inspect the bay of Primorsky Krai. Current repairs were carried out by personnel with the involvement of port workers. However, the technical condition of the mechanisms deteriorated every year. Therefore, on January 1, 1911, the cruiser embarked on a major overhaul. By September 1912, the tubes in the boilers were replaced, new chimneys were made and installed, the main and auxiliary mechanisms were sorted out, the onboard surface mine vehicles and two 47-mm guns were removed from the bow bridge, the roll equalization system was equipped, the outboard was repaired in the dock fittings, rudder, installed new seals and replaced the bokout in the stern tubes. By the end of the repair, the crew reached a full staff, and the best sailors from other ships of the flotilla were appointed to its composition as a reward for good service. "Askold" went to sea to test mechanisms on September 22. However, despite the duration of the repair, with an increase in speed over 80, the crank bearings began to heat up, and it was possible to reach a speed of only 17.46 knots.

November 9, 1912 "Askold" went on a practical voyage with apprentice non-commissioned officers along the route: Vladivostok - Shanghai - Hong Kong - Saigon - Singapore - Batavia - Sabang - Manila - Qingdao - Vladivostok. For 3 months and 21 days, the cruiser traveled 11,038.5 miles without a single serious breakdown in mechanisms and boilers. The condition of the machines by the end of the voyage turned out to be much better than at the exit from the overhaul. In October 1913, the cruiser went out to test the mechanisms and reached a speed of 20.11 knots.

The third training overseas voyage of Askold continued along the route Vladivostok - Genzan - Hong Kong - Saigon - Padang - Batavia - Surabaya - Manila - Vladivostok for four months: from November 1, 1913 to February 28, 1914. On its last peaceful training trip, Askold covered 10,711 miles. In total, in 1913, the cruiser had 1,686 sailing hours and covered 17,226 miles. Upon returning to Vladivostok on March 1, the cruiser went into maintenance, but already on April 17 she again went to sea for combat training, taking on board young sailors. On April 28, as a result of a collision with the Mongugai mine layer, the Askold was damaged and was docked.

Another training voyage was planned for the winter of 1914/15, but the first World War made adjustments to these plans. On August 12, the cruisers "Askold", "Zhemchug" and the steamer of the Voluntary Fleet "Poltava" left Vladivostok for joint operations with the Allied forces against the German cruisers in the Pacific Ocean. Shortly before the campaign, Captain 1st Rank S.A. Ivanov took command of the Askold. Having replenished coal reserves in Hong Kong, the cruisers went on independent cruises to search for coal-burning steamships that supplied the German squadron of Admiral Spee. "Askold" in the area east of the Philippine Islands for the entire trip met only one American coastal steamer. Upon returning to Hong Kong, Ivanov received an order to follow to Singapore, escorting transports with troops and military supplies. In September-November, the Askold crossed the Indian Ocean several times as part of convoys, then, at the request of the allied command, moved to the Mediterranean Sea to operate off the coast of Syria and Palestine in order to destroy enemy ships and shelling coastal points that had military value. On December 1, 1914, the cruiser's signalmen noticed a steamer anchored in the roadstead of the port of Haifa. Fearing mines, Ivanov ordered the boats to be lowered and the approach to the raid cleared. "Askold" anchored 55 cables from the shore, and boat No. 1 was sent to the ship under the command of midshipman S.K. Kornilov with an inspection team.

Under the cover of the cruiser guns aimed at the shore, the boat approached the board of the steamer, which turned out to be German, called "Haifa" (displacement 1917 tons). The ship was arrested and taken to Port Said. The next day, on the roadstead of Beirut, boat No. 1 under the command of midshipman V. Shtaer inspected and sank a small Turkish steamer with explosions of two subversive cartridges. Another ship - "Syria" - was taken in tow by the cruiser and put out to sea. At the same time, midshipman S. Bulashevich on boat No. 2 paid courtesy calls to the American cruiser Port Caroline and the Italian Calabria, which were on the roadstead. It was not possible to breed steam on the "Syria" due to damage to the boiler. Therefore, after the prize team was removed, the ship was sunk with several shots.

More than once, the cruiser boats were fired upon from the shore by Turkish troops. In response, the Askold guns bombarded military facilities and enemy troops. On January 2, the main caliber fire destroyed the railway bridge at the mouth of the El Bvrid River near Tripoli. In January 1915, on the Persian ship Persepolis, the Askolds detained ten Turkish soldiers and took them to Alexandria. Together with the ships of the allies, Askold conducted reconnaissance, carried out patrol duty off the Turkish coast, landed sabotage groups, engaging in duels with coastal batteries, fought against military smuggling, inspecting merchant ships off the coast of Bulgaria (at that time this country had access to the Aegean Sea ), Greece.

But the most notable event in the cruiser's career was participation in the Dardanelles operation. "Askold" entered the 6th squadron of the allied fleet under the command of the French Rear Admiral Gepratt, representing the armed forces of Russia among the 200 ships and vessels of the Entente countries. On April 12, the Russian cruiser's watercraft were sent to land at Kum-Kale, and the ship itself took up a designated point for artillery fire. The boats from the "Askold" were the first to approach the shore. The first wave of landing troops rushed to the attack, but then the Turkish batteries began to speak. Askold's longboat was sunk by a direct hit from a shell. The advance of the landing units on the shore was also hindered by a machine gun mounted on a mill. But the Russian cruiser destroyed it with the first successful salvo, and the machine gun fell silent.

Never in its history did it shoot so much: on April 12, 748 152-mm and 1503 75-mm shells were used up. Hurricane fire fell on Turkish positions during the day. Being among the ships of the 6th squadron, the Askold confirmed its good reputation, surprising the allies with the accuracy of its volleys. The next day, firing along the coast continued, and as a result of the fire of the Askold and the auxiliary cruiser Savoy, about 500 Turkish soldiers surrendered. On the successful actions of the cruiser, together with the allies, the naval minister reported to the king. Nicholas II wrote on the report with his own hand; "To announce to the commander, officers and crew of the Askold cruiser my warm gratitude for military service."

Until the end of April, Askold continued to operate near the Dardanelles. Several times he entered the strait and fired on the batteries of the Turks on the Asian coast, covering the allied forces on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Fate once again favored the ship, which survived among floating mines and explosions of dozens of shells. Working teams of up to 70 Askold sailors were sent to the very hell - to the Gallipoli Peninsula. The losses of the crew of the Russian cruiser turned out to be small: for the entire Dardanelles operation, 4 people were killed and 9 people were wounded. In May, Askold cruised off the Bulgarian coast, then made a trip to Toulon, where minor repairs were made, and returned to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, carrying out numerous assignments from the allied command.

By this time, German submarines had stepped up their activities in the Mediterranean. U-21, under the command of the famous submariner Herzing, had the opportunity to attack the Askold. But the commander did not want to reveal his presence in the area ahead of time and began to look for a larger target. British victims were battleships Triumph and Majestic. When he decided that it was the turn of the five-pipe cruiser, he failed to find the Askold. On July 20, in Port Said, the Ussuri mine-layer Askold received ammunition from the Ussuri minelayer who arrived from the Far East. In September, once again he passed the Mediterranean Sea, delivering from Thessaloniki to Toulon and back the Minister of Finance P.L. Barca. During the campaign, the minister presented the commander and officers with awards for the brilliant actions of the ship entrusted to them.

In early October, the cruiser took part in the operation of the allied fleet off the coast of Bulgaria, which entered the war on the side of the bloc of Central European powers. On January 15, 1916, 21 people from the Askold took part in the allied landing that occupied the Greek forts on the capes of Kara-Burnu and Tuzla, on January 20 they returned to the ship, but a detachment of two officers and 40 sailors was sent to fort Tuzla to protect the Russian consulate . It was supposed that in the event of the decision of the allies to occupy the Chalcedon Peninsula, the detachment would be used to monitor the coast and protect Russian Orthodox monasteries. The most stressful year of the cruiser's service has come to an end. During the year, 294 days the cruiser was in a state of combat alert, having guns ready for action and change of command at combat posts. In 1915, twice as many shells were fired from its guns than in the entire previous service of the cruiser, including the Russo-Japanese War! Moreover, all firing was carried out without serious damage to the material part. Despite the difficult conditions of military campaigns of the cruiser, which is far from the Motherland, thanks to the efforts of the medical service, not a single member of the crew died of illness in 1.5 years. At the same time, English and French ships had to half-mast the flag more than once, and more and more graves appeared in the cemetery of the island of Lemnos. Only four people with tuberculosis were discharged from Askold due to illness. If earlier in the ship's infirmary on average 150-190 patients per year, then in 1915 - only 23.

By the end of 1915, the main machines and auxiliary mechanisms of the cruiser needed a major overhaul. Therefore, on January 21, Askold left Thessaloniki and arrived in Toulon on January 26. After solving organizational issues, repairs began at the Forge and Chan-tier plant in March. The cruiser team performed a large amount of work on dismantling, unloading and subsequent assembly of parts of the three main machines, frame bearings and numerous auxiliary mechanisms. With the help of specialists from the Toulon arsenal, the guidance mechanisms for 152 mm guns were sorted out, all ten 75 mm guns were replaced, and new sights of the Petrograd Metal Plant of the 1913 model were installed. Anti-aircraft weapons appeared on the ship: two 57-mm British and two 47-mm French anti-aircraft guns were mounted on the wings of the bridge. To do this, it was necessary to reinforce the structure of the bridges and move the searchlights. The cruiser received new French devices for training gunners of 152-mm and 75-mm guns, a device for testing the loading speed of 75-mm guns. The repair of machines and mechanisms was delayed by a lack of skilled labor and a shortage of materials in wartime conditions.

After a difficult and dangerous service in 1914-1915, a long stay in the rear port aggravated the situation on board. If the common danger in military campaigns brought officers and lower ranks closer together, then in conditions of relative peace and calm there was something to think about. This is the difference in material and social status, and the fact that the sailors continued to live on a ship ruined by repairs, and many officers and the commander himself lived on the shore, visited Paris, the resorts of the French Riviera, relatives from Russia came to some of them. The discipline weakened, the organization of service decreased. The lower ranks saw a significant difference in the position of sailors in the Russian and allied fleets, observed the life of a democratic country, met with revolutionary-minded emigrants from Russia. The chronic illness of the Russian Imperial Fleet, which led to the events on the Potemkin, the Memory of Azov, the Ochakov and other Russian ships, aggravated in the summer of 1916 on the Askold.

Cruiser Command of different sources began to receive information about the upcoming uprising on the ship. During searches, illegal literature and weapons were found in the personal belongings of the sailors. On August 9, 28 people suspected of communicating with political emigrants and possessing illegal literature were decommissioned from ships and sent to Russia. On August 19, at about 0300 hours, an explosion occurred in the aft 75-mm cellar, where there were 828 shells and about 100,000 rifle cartridges. With the help of a Fickford cord, an unknown attacker ignited gunpowder in the case of one of the unitary cartridges through the hole of the inverted shock tube. The shell shattered, but the shell did not explode. In total, 9 unitary cartridges were damaged. In the morning after the explosion, 28 people were arrested, later 49 more. The commission of inquiry accused 8 people of involvement in the explosion. On September 10-12, a trial was held that sentenced four people to death. The verdict was approved by the new commander of the cruiser, Captain 1st Rank K.F. Ketlinsky. On September 15, D.T. Zakharov, F.I. Beshentsev, E.G. Shestakov and A.A. Biryukov were shot in the fort of Malsbusk. 113 people were sent on the same day via Brest to Russia. None of the convicts pleaded guilty, and there was no direct evidence against them.

On November 10, the cars were successfully tested on barrels, and on 18 Askold went on sea trials and developed a 15-knot speed. On the third exit on December 10, the speed reached 21 knots at 120 revolutions of the machines, however, the bearings were heated at the same time, but within 19 knots the machines worked normally. On December 5, "Askold" was enlisted in the Arctic Ocean Flotilla, and on December 27, she left Toulon for England with a call at Gibraltar. In the Atlantic Ocean, the cruiser was caught in a severe storm. Huge waves swept over the bow of the ship, shreds of foam and spray flew above the pipes. One particularly strong wave deformed the bow superstructure. When they arrived in Plymouth on January 20, 1917, only 70 tons of coal remained in the coal pits. The next day, "Askold" moved to Devoiport. where the damage received during the storm was corrected. Admiralty anchors with rods and cut-beams were replaced with English, Smith systems, retractable into hawsers, as proposed by German engineers in the initial cruiser project.

Askoldopians learned about the revolution in Petrograd and the abdication of Nicholas II from English newspapers, and only after receiving official telegrams from the Naval Ministry, Ketlinsky ordered a team to be built on the forecastle and from the bow bridge announced the latest events in Russia, urging everyone to continue to fulfill their duty to the Motherland. The commander made a lot of efforts to prevent spontaneous actions against the officers on the ship. At the request of the crew, some of them were decommissioned from the cruiser. After that, the "Askold" took the oath to the Provisional Government. On May 23, the ship moved to Greenock, from where it went out into the bay to test paravanes. Several thousand emigrants from Russia lived in nearby Glasgow. They, together with the workers of the city, enthusiastically greeted the Askoldovites. A rally was held in the city theater, and the train on which the sailors arrived was decorated with flowers. The workers of Glasgow presented a samovar (now kept in the Central Naval Museum in St. org-mi Glasgow to our Russian comrades from the "Askold" in memory of their stay in Glasgow. Scotland. May 1917".

On June 4, Askold moved to Holy Loch, where he conducted a series of exercises, and then left the waters of England. On June 17, she entered the Kola Bay and anchored off Murmansk. His odyssey continued for almost three years. Having left the Far Eastern outskirts of the Russian Empire in 1914 and having traveled thousands of miles, visiting dozens of foreign ports, the Askoldites set foot on the land of the Russian Republic, and their well-deserved ship became part of the Separate detachment of ships of the Kola Bay of the Arctic Ocean Flotilla. Ketlinsky went on vacation, and captain 1st rank A.I. Sheikovsky took command of the cruiser. The flotilla needed artillery guns for coastal batteries and weapons for merchant ships to repulse German submarines. Therefore, it was planned to remove ten 75-mm guns from Askold and replace four anti-aircraft guns with two 47-mm guns. To reduce the risk of detonation of ammunition in the cellars when receiving combat damage, it was decided to remove shells, charges and cartridges located closer than 1.5 m to the outer side. At the same time, the ammunition load of the main caliber was reduced to 1500 rounds. As for the mechanical part, it was necessary to replace the boiler tubes, the service life of which expired in 1918, and to change some liners of the frame and head bearings. This work took at least two months.

Armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold" in the Baltic

The victory of the armed uprising in Petrograd on the "Askold" became known on October 26. Askold members took part in the meeting public organizations Murmansk, where a resolution was adopted on the full support of the new government. After the conclusion of an armistice with Germany in December 1917, a partial demobilization of the fleet began. Older sailors, called up in 1907-1910, were dismissed. The lack of personnel made it necessary to withdraw the large ships of the flotilla from combat strength. From February 5, 1918, Askold was put on heating (that is, connected to an external steam line) until April. May 7 Board people's commissariat on Maritime Affairs decided to reorganize the Flotilla of the Arctic Ocean. "Askold" together with "Chesma" (the former Port Arthur "Poltava") was planned to be transferred to Arkhangelsk and kept in a state of long-term storage. But this was not possible due to the intervention former allies. On July 14, the cruiser was captured by a landing of British, American and French sailors.

After the surrender of Arkhangelsk, "Askold" under the Andreevsky flag, but with an English team, moved there. A few days later, English was raised on it naval ensign. For some time, the cruiser, renamed Glory IV, served as a floating barracks for part of the Slavic-British Legion. Evacuating their troops from the north, the interventionists took the "Askold" to England, where it was used as a blockade in Greloch (Scotland). The White Guard command tried to return the cruiser. On November 5, 1919, the naval attache in London, N.A. Volkov, reported in a secret telegram to General Miller: “The Admiralty agrees to return the Askold, but cannot supply shells, since this type of guns is not manufactured in England, the Admiralty refuses to give a crew to deliver "Askold" to the north". In preparation for the 1920 campaign of the year, Rear Admiral Ivanov, commander of the White naval forces, planned to receive Askold, Varyag and destroyers from England in order to install five 152-mm on barges and four on an island on Lake Onega. Alas, the white movement in the North collapsed faster than these plans could be carried out.

In 1921, England offered Soviet government return "Askold" and destroyers "Grozny" and "Vlastny" subject to payment for their maintenance (protection). The command of the naval forces of the republic considered the return of the ships desirable in order to use them in the Black Sea for auxiliary service as training. Soviet plenipotentiary in England L.B. Krasin said that the destroyers would not be able to make the transition to Russia without serious repairs, while the Askhold was able to go on its own.

In November, the embassy turned to the authoritative shipbuilder and scientist A.N. Krylov, who was on a business trip in England, with a request to inspect the cruiser and give an opinion on whether it should be repaired for further service or sold for scrap. Krylov, as part of the commission, visited the ship and reported the results to Moscow. "Askold" served the prescribed 20-year term and as a combat unit is already outdated. Renovation required a significant investment. Therefore, it was decided to buy the cruiser from the British and then sell it for scrap to Germany. ABOUT last days of the ship, Alexei Nikolaevich wrote in his memoirs: “In Hamburg, being on the tests of the Fletner rudders, I saw how the Askold was led past us quite close to his cemetery. Thus, I had to be at the first voyage of the ship and at its last passage ... ".

So for the last time the cruiser served Russia: the currency proceeds from its sale was used to purchase steam locomotives needed to restore the country's national economy.

The performance characteristics of the cruiser Askold

Manufacturer: "Germaniawerft", Kiel
- Construction started: October 24, 1898
- Launched: March 2, 1900
- Commissioned: 1902
- Status sold for scrap: in 1922

Displacement of the cruiser Askold

Dimensions of the cruiser Askold

Length: 132.5 m
- Width: 16.87 m
- Draft: 6.3 m

Reservation of the cruiser Askold

Deck: 51…76 mm,
- felling: 152 mm,
- gun shields: 25 mm
– Weight of armor: 705 t.

Engines of the cruiser Askold

Three vertical steam engines; 9 Schulz-Thornycroft boilers
- Power: 23,600 hp from. (17.6 MW)
- Propulsion: 3 screws

Travel speed: 24.5 knots on trials
- Cruising range: 6500 miles (10-knot course), coal reserves - 1300 tons
- Crew: 580 officers and sailors

Armament of the cruiser Askold

Artillery
- 2 × 152 mm / L45,
- 12 × 75 mm / L50,
- 8 × 47 mm,
- 2 × 37 mm guns,
- 2 × 64 mm landing guns,
- 4 machine guns

Mine and torpedo armament
- 6 × 381 mm torpedo tubes

Photo cruiser Askold

V. Ya. Krestyaninov, S. V. Molodtsov. Cruiser "Askold"

The best cruiser of the squadron

At 12 noon on January 27, 1902, the Askold left Kiel and headed for Libau; There were 555 people on board. The sailors and officers confidently and calmly coped with their duties - the mechanisms were thoroughly studied during the construction and testing. The commander and mechanics carefully observed and recorded the modes of operation of the machines. This was required by the mechanical department of the MTK in order to know all the features and capabilities of the ship.

On April 5, the Askold was placed in dry dock for two weeks to paint the underwater part peeled off by ice and install hull reinforcements in the stern. Soon, the missing part of the crew arrived on the ship from Kronstadt, and on April 24, the cruiser, raising the flag and guis, began the campaign.

May 1 "Askold" as part of a detachment of ships under the command of Rear Admiral G.P. Chukhnin, returning from Port Arthur, went to Kronstadt. In Reval, on the Askold, they learned that upon arrival in Kronstadt, they would have to participate in the solemn meeting of the French squadron, at which French President E. Loubet was arriving on an official visit. A day later, the detachment of G.P. Chukhnin, joined by the ships of the Training and Artillery Detachment, moved on, but near the island of Gogland they met solid ice 0.6-0.9 m thick. The icebreaker "Ermak" came to the rescue, waiting for the detachment at the edge ice. Beyond the island of Lavensari, the detachment came out into open water and arrived in Kronstadt on the evening of May 5.

The arrival of the latest cruiser aroused general interest, which rose even more after an article in the Kronstadt Herald newspaper, which drew attention to the many new devices on the Askold, a large number of electrical auxiliary mechanisms. “Many people admit,” the newspaper wrote, “that our technicians, without distinction of specialties, forced the Germania plant, which built the Askold cruiser, to show the highest exertion of strength and knowledge, as a result of which the plant gave us a ship that is really hardy and suitable for that purpose, for which it was built.

On June 18, Emperor Nicholas II visited the cruiser. Between reviews, "Askold" went to Bjerka to test torpedo tubes and an electric control drive for a steam steering machine, which on the whole were highly appreciated by the commission and were "accepted to the treasury."

During the stay in Kronstadt on the "Askold" they installed a radio station assembled in the Kronstadt Mine Workshop and tested it in operation with other ships. At the same time, machine guns, sights and angle limiters for guns, N.K. Geisler's devices for guns and torpedo tubes, four remote-controlled searchlights, 47-mm guns for steam boats were installed; the artillery cellars were retrofitted, the voice tubes were laid to the shell elevators, the mine raft was manufactured and accepted. Some of these works not completed in Kiel were paid for by the firm. The cruiser received a full set of ammunition and was armed in accordance with the state.

On August 25, "Askold" was again visited by the emperor with his family and the Greek Queen Olga Konstantinovna. In parting, they wished the officers and crew a happy voyage.

On September 3, Askold left Kronstadt forever and headed for the Far East to reinforce the Pacific squadron. At the crossing, the maneuverability and driving characteristics of the cruiser were studied, the optimal mode of operation of the boilers and main mechanisms was determined. At the beginning of the transition, the future academician A.N. Krylov was on board the ship to study the deformations of the hull structure on ocean waves.

Having completed a number of diplomatic missions along the way in the ports of the Persian Gulf, the Askold on February 13, 1903 anchored in the Port Arthur roadstead. Difficult passage through the seas of three oceans ended brilliantly.

Thanks to the successful design, high quality workmanship and competent operation, the cruiser machines worked perfectly. Immediately after the trip, at the control exit with the underwater part overgrown in tropical seas, the Askold easily developed its contractual power and showed a speed of over 20 knots on a large wave. The nine Thornycroft-Schulz double boilers also performed well. They turned out to be more reliable and more economical than most boilers of other systems installed on the cruisers of the Russian fleet.

The team impeccably contained complex new mechanisms. The cruiser became part of the Pacific squadron, becoming its best and strongest scout.

In accordance with the sailing program of the ships of the Askold squadron in 1903, it was necessary to stand in the armed reserve for five months and spend the winter in Vladivostok. But the situation in the Far East was heating up, Japan's preparations for war became more and more obvious, as was the superiority of its fleet.

While the Naval Ministry tried to expedite the completion and dispatch of the ships of the 1898 program to the East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made attempts to ease tensions through diplomatic efforts. At his request, "Askold" was allocated to the envoy to Japan A.P. Izvolsky.

As part of this expedition, the cruiser visited Nagasaki, Yokohama, Kobe, visited the Chinese port of Taku, the English colony in China - Weihawei and the German - Qingdao.

April 30, 1903 "Askold" returned to Port Arthur, but on May 3, together with the cruiser "Novik" again went to sea. Their path lay in Vladivostok - to meet the Minister of War, General of Infantry A.N. Kuropatkin. From the Askold, the minister inspected the bays of Primorye and on May 28 arrived at the Japanese port of Shimonoseki, from where, together with his retinue, he left for Tokyo by train, and the Askold and Novik moved to Kobe. With the arrival of the diplomatic mission there, the campaign continued. After visiting Nagasaki, the cruisers headed for Port Arthur, where they arrived safely on 17 June.

In Port Arthur, A.N. Kuropatkin examined the fortifications of the fortress, the troops of the garrison, visited the ships of the squadron and held a number of meetings on the defense of Port Arthur and the Far East. Upon his return to St. Petersburg, he thanked Vice-Admiral F.K. Avelan, head of the Naval Department, for the cruisers.

In Port Arthur, the crew finally got a rest after a stressful voyage, especially for the engine crew. During the "diplomatic" campaigns "Askold" confirmed the reputation of the best cruiser of the squadron: the machines and boilers worked flawlessly. The tense service of the ship was a check of all mechanisms and parts, showed a good quality of design and construction, a high level of maintenance.

The cruiser was in the armed reserve for a month, but on July 31 it again entered the campaign: the vice-admiral E.I. The transition was excellent, E.I. Alekseev thanked the team for the excellent service. "Askold" engaged in combat training.

On August 19, in Peter the Great Bay, the cruiser fired at the shield at a speed of 18 knots with a wind of 3-4 points. Although visibility was poor (at times the shield was hidden in the fog), the Askold gunners showed good results: out of 36 152-mm shells fired, seven hit the target, out of 36 75-mm -12 and out of 40 47-mm - five. "Varyag" during a similar shooting, carried out by him on December 16, 1903 (the last exercises before his famous battle), although he went at a lower speed (12.5 knots), out of 36 fired 152-mm shells, 33 75-mm, 56 47-mm and 20 37-mm, only three hit the shield: one 75-mm and two 47-mm.

On August 23, as part of a detachment under the command of Rear Admiral E.A. Shtakelberg, the Askold, together with the cruisers Rossiya, Gromoboy, Bogatyr, weighed anchor and set off on a campaign in the Sea of ​​Japan with a visit to the port of Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido.

After returning and staying in Vladivostok for a week, the Askold again went to sea on September 10, this time as part of a squadron of six battleships and five cruisers. The passage to Port Arthur was combined with maneuvers in which the ground forces of the Kwantung Peninsula and the fortress of Port Arthur took part.

The last important peacetime event for Askold was the change of commander: on January 17, 1904, N.K.

On the evening of January 26, 1904, Japanese destroyers attacked the Russian squadron on the outer roads of Port Arthur. They immediately returned fire on them, but three torpedoes still hit the squadron battleships "Tsesarevich" and "Retvizan" and the cruiser "Pallada".

"Askold" stood in the first line and, by its location, was closest to danger. But thanks to the clear actions of the personnel, he managed to avoid hits. Strong return fire prevented the enemy from properly aiming, although two torpedoes passed dangerously close to the cruiser's stern.

On the morning of January 27, the main forces of the Japanese fleet under the flag of Commander Admiral H. Togo approached Port Arthur and engaged in battle with the ships and coastal batteries of the fortress stationed in the roadstead. Russian cruisers were closer to the enemy than battleships. The first 305-mm projectile fell between Askold and Bayan, raising a huge column of water. "Bayan", "Askold" and "Novik" found themselves between the columns of battleships, but did not evade the battle, but boldly went on the attack.

The fastest Novik burst forward, trying to get closer to the distance of a torpedo shot, Bayan and Askold rushed after him, continuously firing from all guns. The Japanese shifted their fire to these three cruisers. To avoid hits, "Askold" began to zigzag, but still several enemy shells and many fragments reached the target.

On the "Askold" they dismantled the signal of the flagship: "The cruisers should not interfere with the battleships," and K.A.Grammatchikov ordered to turn back. The cruisers got out of the fire, but their risky attack played an important role - they distracted the enemy at a moment when our battleships had not yet lined up in a battle line. Together with the fire of coastal batteries and battleships, their activity forced Admiral H. Togo to stop the artillery duel and leave the Port Arthur area.

Within 40 minutes of the battle, Askold was hit by six shells and a large number of fragments from close gaps. Four gunners were killed, 10 sailors were injured.

The heaviest damage was caused by a large shell that hit the port side at the waterline in the area of ​​53 sp. and exploded in a rubber dam. Fragments pierced the internal longitudinal bulkhead, water began to flow into the coal pit behind it. Fortunately, the pit was completely filled with coal, and the neck was battened down, so that the ship did not even get a roll. In addition, two frames were broken by an explosion, a hole was formed in the outer skin with an area of ​​0.9 m2. Fragments of the same projectile damaged the 75-mm gun and pierced the charging compartment of the torpedo that was in the vehicle. The red-hot fragments passed near the primer with explosive mercury, fortunately without causing detonation or ignition of the explosive. As soon as the cruiser got out of the shelling, a miner was lowered overboard to the surface vehicles, which unscrewed the drummers from the torpedoes. After this incident, the team believed that Askold was a happy ship.

Another shell tore off the barrel of the 152 mm gun on the starboard side. Another, large caliber, hit the fifth chimney and exploded, seriously damaging it. The fourth destroyed the navigational cabin, the fifth shot down the mainmast, the sixth pierced the side and damaged the wardroom and cabins.

After the battle, the battleships took refuge in the harbor, while the Askold, along with other cruisers, carried out sentinel service in the roadstead. For three days his boilers were under steam, and the team was in constant tension. Only then the ship was placed against the wall of the Marine Plant to repair the damage.

By order of E.I. Alekseev, 24 "lower ranks" of "Askold" were awarded the insignia of the military order of St. George.

After the repair was completed, the Askold on February 5 and 9 went out to reconnoiter the area adjacent to the fortress, and 11, together with the Bayan and Novik cruisers, took part in a firefight with four Japanese cruisers.

On the morning of February 12, the main forces of the Japanese fleet again approached Port Arthur. "Bayan", "Askold" and "Novik" were on the outer roadstead, covering the destroyers returning from the sea. Six battleships and six armored cruisers of the Japanese opened fire. Our cruisers answered at once; "Askold" at that moment was closest to the enemy. After the first shot on the Askold, the barrel of a 152-mm gun was torn apart, fragments rained down on the deck. The distance between our and Japanese ships has decreased to 32 kb. Only a big move saved the "Askold" from fatal hits from heavy shells. The battle of three cruisers against 12 armored ships lasted about 30 minutes. "Askold" fired 257 shells at the enemy without receiving serious damage.

On February 24, a new commander, Vice Admiral S.O. Makarov, arrived in Port Arthur, and the activity of the fleet noticeably intensified. "Askold" as part of the squadron went to sea on February 27, March 9 and 13, and on March 9 - under the flag of S.O. Makarov. Upon returning from the last trip to the cruiser, Captain 1st Rank N.K. Reitsenstein again arrived, this time as the head of the cruiser detachment. Since then, his braided pennant has practically never descended from Askold. On March 30, the cruiser went to sea for a Chinese junk that appeared on the horizon and brought her to Port Arthur. That night, Vice-Admiral S.O. Makarov was not on the Askold, but on the duty cruiser Diana.

No one suspected that this night would be the last for the admiral. On the morning of March 31, Stepan Osipovich switched to the squadron battleship Petropavlovsk. On that fateful day for the Russian fleet, the admiral died along with his flagship, which was blown up by an enemy mine.

In April, "Askold" did not go to sea, the personnel participated in the armament of coastal batteries: they installed a steam dynamo, a boiler and a searchlight, on redoubt No. 1 - four 75-mm guns, assisted in the installation of two 75-mm guns from Pobeda to fortification No. 2 and two 75-mm from the "Tsesarevich" to the Kurgan battery. In addition, by order of the governor, 2 machine guns were removed from the ship to arm the marine machine-gun battery being formed.

May 5 "Askold" went to sea, covering the mine transport "Amur". When returning to the raid from the cruiser, they did not notice the buoys of the fortress minefield, and the ship passed through the minefield. Although the miners of the fortress company cut off the current during the passage of the ships, this still cannot be considered safe. But fate here, too, favorably reacted to Askold.

During a fierce battle on the Kinjous Isthmus, Russian troops were supported from the flank by steam boats from the battleships Retvizan, Sevastopol and the cruiser Askold, armed with small-caliber guns and machine guns. The Askold boat was commanded by midshipman F.F. Gerken. On May 13, he successfully fired at the Japanese troops with a 47-mm gun, after the retreat of the Russian troops, the boat was blown up, and his team came to Port Arthur on foot.

After Kinjou was abandoned, two landing platoons were brought ashore from Askold, and two days later K.A.Grammatchikov received an order, having removed 152-mm guns No. also take measures to increase the angle of fire of guns No. 7 and No. 8.

On June 10, the squadron went to sea to break through to Vladivostok, but, having met the superior forces of the Japanese fleet, turned back. The Russian ships approached the raid when it was already dark, and at that moment our cruisers, sailing at the end of the wake column, were attacked by destroyers. These attacks continued until 4 o'clock. According to reports from our cruisers, it followed that several destroyers were sunk, but the Japanese do not confirm these data, recognizing only heavy damage to the destroyer Chidori. On June 23 and 24, Askold, who was on duty in the passage to the inner roadstead, opened fire on the approaching Japanese destroyers of the 6th detachment. Over the next two weeks, Askold repeatedly went to sea, fired on Japanese land positions, fought duels with enemy ships.

On July 14, Russian ships again opened fire on the advancing Japanese. At about 1 pm enemy destroyers approached, but were timely detected by Askold's signalers. Seven six-inch shells of the cruiser were enough for the destroyers to retreat, but they were replaced by the armored cruisers Nissin and Kasu-ga and opened fire from their guns, which were superior in range to the artillery of the Askold; shrapnel from a nearby exploding Japanese shell slightly damaged the chimney. At 15 o'clock, a Japanese mine was found behind the Askold's stern and shot at, and the Bayan following it was blown up by another mine.

On July 28, 1904, the Port Arthur epic approached its climax. The squadron went to sea to break through to Vladivostok. "Askold" under the flag of Rear Admiral N.K. Reizenshtein led a detachment of cruisers, marching in the wake column behind the battleships. At 12:30 the battle began. At 13:09, a 305-mm projectile (presumably from the battleship Shikishima) exploded at the base of the first tube. Despite the fact that the lower part of the casing was flattened, it miraculously remained in place. The fragments disabled the first boiler, destroyed the radio room, ladders to the bow superstructure and the upper bridge, mortally wounded midshipman Rklitsky and galvanizer Zhdanovich, who were standing at the bow rangefinder, and killed miner Shesterov.

In response, "Askold" opened fire from 152-mm starboard guns, but the distance to the battleships was too great, so only four shots were fired.

At 13:12, the second large shell hit the stern and exploded in the cabin of the senior navigator, the resulting fire was quickly extinguished. After 3 minutes, "Askold" turned to the left, the rest of the cruisers came out of the shelling: "Novik", "Pallada", "Diana". Going behind the battleships, they made up the second column, "Askold" went on the left beam of the flagship battleship "Tsesarevich". The squadrons dispersed on counter courses, and the ships got a little respite. At 1605 hours, a semaphore of the squadron commander was received: "In the event of a battle, the head of the cruiser detachment should act at its discretion." At 16:50, the Japanese ships caught up with the squadron of Rear Admiral V.K. Vitgeft, and the battle resumed with renewed vigor.

After an hour and a half battle, the commander of the Russian squadron, V.K. Vitgeft, was killed. The flagship "Tsesarevich" jammed the steering wheel, and he began to circulate to the left, the order of our battleships was broken.

The detachment of cruisers, following the direction of movement of the flagship battleship, successively began to turn to the left. When they realized in the Askold's conning tower that the Tsesarevich was damaged, they turned right again and laid down on a course parallel to the line of battleships. At this time, the Japanese 1st combat detachment went around the head of the Russian column, and our cruisers were in the range of the guns of the lead Japanese battleships. From the west, the 5th and 6th combat detachments approached closer, the total number of enemy ships at about 19 o'clock in the logbook was determined by the number 45.

The Russian battleships turned towards Port Arthur, "Askold", followed by all the cruisers and destroyers at first followed suit, but soon N.K. without stopping at the risk of dying.

On the foremast of the Askold, signal flags flew up: “Cruisers follow me”, the ship increased its speed, the rest of the cruisers followed suit.

At 1850 hours the Askold opened fire and headed straight for the armored cruiser Asama, which was moving separately. Soon a fire broke out on the Asama, as a result of which the Japanese cruiser "increased its speed and began to move away" - as recorded in the Askold logbook.

Assessing the position of the enemy, N.K. Reizenshtein considered its weakest point to be the southwestern direction, where the cruisers of the 3rd combat detachment were located. Having bypassed the Russian battleships from the starboard side, the formation of which by this time had become similar to a double front, the Askold turned sharply to the left, crossing their course.

"Askold" developed a full speed and, dispersing with the battleships, headed south. "Diana" and "Pal-lad" immediately fell behind, and only "Novik" kept in the wake. The battleships, however, were still moving in the direction of Port Arthur and soon disappeared from sight.

The armored cruiser "Yakumo" headed for the "Askold", firing at it from 203-mm and 152-mm guns. Behind him, the cruisers of the 6th detachment sparkled with flashes of shots, also blocking the path of our ships. To the left and behind, the cruisers of the 3rd detachment of Rear Admiral Deva set off in pursuit. The terminal ship of the 1st combat detachment "Nissin" and the ships of the 5th detachment also transferred fire to the "Askold". Showered with shells from all sides, the cruiser responded by fighting on both sides, bow and stern. Dozens of shells fell around the cruiser, raising high columns of water and showering her with a hail of fragments. High speed, maneuverability and accuracy of return fire explain the fact that the cruiser survived the monstrous hurricane of fire. But from time to time his body shuddered from shells. The concussion was so great at the same time that the arrows on the pressure gauges bounced off, electric bulbs burst. It was reported to the conning tower that water was flowing into the left aft engine room and into the right coal pit of the second stoker. Below there was a struggle with water, and at the top gunners developed the maximum rate of fire.

The flashes and roar of their shots merged with the explosions of other people's shells. Fires broke out here and there. The gunners rushed to extinguish them, and the sailors of the fire battalion replaced the comrades who fell at the guns. Increasingly, stretchers and orderlies were required on the upper deck. The wounded were lowered with great difficulty to the dressing station under the armored deck in the room of underwater mine vehicles. At a critical moment, when the enemy armored cruiser blocked the path and several Japanese cruisers concentrated their fire on the Askold, the ship's engines gave 132 rpm - more than during the acceptance tests.

The Yakumo armored cruiser was closer than the others and posed the greatest danger, and N.K. Reitsenstein ordered to head straight for it. At the Askold, in the morning, underwater torpedo tubes were prepared, and at the surface, combat charging compartments were attached to the mines, without inserting only drummers and ignition cartridges. Senior mine officer P.P. Kitkin received an order to prepare the vehicles for firing. But there was no need to shoot: the Askold fire damaged the Takasago-class cruiser, and a fire broke out on the Yakumo, and it turned away. "Askold" and "Novik" swept literally behind his stern. Four Japanese destroyers launched an attack on the Russian cruisers on the right, from forward heading angles. From the "Askold" they saw the launch of four torpedoes, which, fortunately, passed by. The fire of the starboard guns was transferred to the enemy destroyers, and the Japanese turned away.

In some 152-mm guns, after firing at high elevation angles, the arcs of the vertical guidance mechanisms failed, and the teeth crumbled. During the rollback, the guns sagged more than the norm, and they were rolled manually with great difficulty. The supply of shells acted non-stop, despite the fact that the cables of the lifting frame were broken by shrapnel at the 152-mm elevators. In these cellars, ammunition was fed manually, but there were no delays and missed shots due to a lack of shells. Despite the loss in people, the guns did not stop firing - the wounded and the dead were replaced by officials, landlords, in a word, everything up to a civilian cook. Priest Father Porfiry "heroically walked along the upper deck with a cross, blessing the soldiers."

The people in the cellars worked in cramped enclosed spaces, not knowing what was going on upstairs. Engineers and stokers were in even worse conditions. When a large projectile hit the upper part of the fifth pipe, a flame flared up in the fifth stoker from the blower, and the compartment was filled with smoke, but thanks to the excess pressure, the draft was quickly restored. At boiler No. 8, fragments that flew through the armor grille pierced the casing and several hot water pipes, which gave little steam. The hole in the casing of the boiler was small, and in order not to reduce the speed at the critical moment of the battle, the boiler was left in operation, the boilers were forced to the maximum.

The combat watch of the engine crew did not have a shift - some drivers worked without a break for more than 16 hours.

After the battle, N.K. Reizenshtein wrote in a report to the Main School of Music about the Askold and Novik teams: “Frankly, I can’t point out who distinguished both of these cruisers: commanders, officers, mechanics, doctors, lower ranks behaved steadfastly, bravo, coolly, without fuss, crushing the enemy, they did their duty.

The road to the open sea was now blocked only by the cruisers of the 6th detachment. "Askold" sharply turned to the cruiser "Suma". He, like the previous ones, stepped aside at full speed, clearing the way. The enemy ships noticeably lagged behind, but continued to fire for some time, and at 19:40 the Russian cruisers broke through. In the ensuing darkness, it became more difficult to aim the guns, the intensity of the fire decreased, the Japanese ships gradually lagged behind. At 20:20 "they ceased fire, as the enemy was hiding in the darkness." "Novik" followed its flagship until 1 hour 30 minutes, then lagged behind due to malfunctions in the mechanisms.

At dawn on July 29, it turned out that the Japanese cruisers Akashi, Izumi, Akitsushima continued to pursue the Askold, but, unable to withstand the combat with the Russian cruiser's vehicles, they disappeared over the horizon in a couple of hours. Finally, it was possible to look around and count the losses. It turned out that during the breakthrough, the cruiser received more severe damage than expected at night. One officer, ten sailors were killed in the battle, four officers and 44 sailors were injured. The guns fired 226 high-explosive 152-mm, 155 steel and 65 cast-iron 75-mm, 160 47-mm shells at the enemy. Four 152-mm guns remained in service, one more was restored during the night. Gun No. 10, fully functional, could not fire due to the fact that the shell that exploded under it smashed the reinforcements and the deck.

In the battery deck in the officer's compartment, 75-mm cartridges lying in gazebos on elevator rails exploded from fragments. The cruiser lost both rangefinder stations, electric dials were broken in many places, 10 combat dials were broken, that is, fire control devices failed. On the starboard side, the Askold had four small underwater holes at 7-10 sp. through which water entered the skipper's pantry. Between 83-84 sp. the holes were above the waterline, but as a result of deformations, the seams of the skin parted, and water entered the coal pit. Between the 28th and 29th sp. the shell pierced the outer side three meters above the waterline, destroyed the cabin and damaged the mount under the 152-mm gun.

On the left side there were two underwater holes at 32-33 and 46-47 sp. In these places, in addition to damage to the skin with an area of ​​0.75 m2, the frames were broken, the beams were loosened. About 3 tons of water per day entered the submersible department through deformed rivets. In total, the cruiser took 100 tons of water, which, however, was not outwardly noticeable - there was no roll and trim. The armored deck remained intact.

The pipes were badly damaged: the 1st one was broken and flattened at the very base, all the backstay pipes were torn off; 2nd, 3rd, 4th - in many places were pierced by large and small fragments; 5th - has become shorter by a third. A significant loss for the team was the complete destruction of both galley stoves. The boats and boats looked like a sieve. The course of the cruiser decreased to 15 knots.

Having received reports on the state of the ship, N.K. Reitsenstein was convinced that the Askold was not able to fight, breaking through the Korea Strait, so he decided to go to Shanghai, fix the most significant damage, replenish supplies and then try to break through to Vladivostok around Japan. At noon on July 30, 1904, the Askold anchored at the mouth of the Vuzung River.

With the help of Russian diplomatic representatives, it was possible to quickly resolve the issue of docking and repairing damage to the hull and mechanical parts with the firm "U. Farham Bodge & Co." With high water on July 31, "Askold" entered the Vampo River and stood at the wall of the plant under the crane. Work boiled over. First, they removed the cutters and boats from the rostra. By the evening of August 1, the 1st and 5th tubes were dismantled and unloaded ashore, and on the night of August 2, the cruiser was brought to the dock. N.K.Reitsenshtein, who had extensive experience working with foreign companies, managed to solve many repair issues in an incredibly short time. To ensure a quick exit to the sea after repairs, the cruiser was not even unloaded before docking the ammunition.

However, a few days later, N.K. Reitsenstein received an order from St. Petersburg to disarm the ship. As a matter of fact, there was no choice: the repair was still nearing completion, and Shanghai had already received a squadron of Rear Admiral Uriu. On August 11, "Askold" and the destroyer "Grozovoi", which came soon after him, lowered the flags. Gun locks, torpedo fighting compartments, rifles and some machine parts were handed over to the arsenal. On August 28, the cruiser was taken out of the dock and placed at the pier of the Russian Society of the CER along with the Grozov and the gunboat Manjur.

The ships stayed here until October 2, 1905, when they received notice in Shanghai about the ratification of the peace treaty between Russia and Japan. On October 11, the Andreevsky flag was again raised on the Askold, and on November 1, under the command of the new commander, Captain 2nd Rank K.V. Stetsenko, the cruiser sailed to Vladivostok.

Because of the revolutionary events in Vladivostok, the Askold was detained in Slavyansky Bay until November 15. Immediately upon arrival at the port, the dismissal of sailors who served their deadlines began: in two weeks, about 400 people left the cruiser.

This five-pipe handsome armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold", named after the legendary Kiev prince, cannot be confused with any other ship of the Russian fleet. In 1902, Askold became part of the Baltic Fleet. At that time, she was the fastest cruiser in the Russian fleet. Soon the cruiser went to the Far East, where he replenished the Pacific squadron. At the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, Askold was one of the most active ships of the Port Arthur squadron. With the outbreak of the First World War, he was sent to the Mediterranean Sea, where he took part in the hostilities against Turkey and Austria-Hungary, including in the Dardanelles operation. Later in the fate of the cruiser there was an explosion in 1916 in an artillery cellar, which occurred due to unclear circumstances, the revolution of 1917, the English captivity in 1918 and the new name "Glory IV". In 1922, the Askold was returned to its homeland, but due to poor technical condition, it was sold for scrap and towed to Hamburg.

A series: Maritime Historical Library

* * *

by the LitRes company.

Device and armament "Askold"

According to the architecture, Askold was a smooth-deck (without a forecastle) ship with four superstructures, two masts and five funnels. The bow superstructure was three-tiered, the rest were single-tiered. In the first tier of the bow superstructure there were command washbasins and latrines. The second tier is combat, navigational and radio rooms. The third tier is the wheelhouse. In the superstructure between the 2nd and 3rd chimneys there was a command galley and washbasins, and in the superstructure between the 4th and 5th chimneys there was an officer's and conductor's galley and a bakery. In the aft superstructure were the premises of the commander (admiral), as well as a spare cabin. On the quarterdeck there was a small cabin, which housed two dynamos.

Along the sides of the cruiser between the bow and stern superstructures there were bunk nets - boxes for storing sailor bunks in the daytime. The outer wall was a 1.5 m high bulwark.

The cruiser's hull was assembled from steel sheets and profiles using a checkered bracket (mixed - in modern terminology) recruitment system. The most important longitudinal connection of the hull - the vertical keel had a height of 1844 mm in the middle part, 1100 mm at the ends, and a thickness of 16–11 mm. Cast fore and sternposts were attached to it. The stems had holes for mine vehicles, in addition, the stem in the underwater part had a traditional ram shape for that time. Parallel to the keel, there were six bottom stringers, three on each side, and the outer ones were waterproof and limited the double-bottom space. Stringers also provided longitudinal strength to the hull.

Along the sides, between the extreme bottom stringers and the lower edge of the armored deck, there was a side stringer, which connected in the bow and stern parts with the decks of the platform.

The frames were installed at a distance of 1100 mm from each other. On every fifth frame there were waterproof solid floors, on the rest - cut out. The numbering of the frames, as is customary in the German Navy, was carried out from stern to bow. Between 115–13 sp. stretched double bottom. In the engine rooms, at a distance of 575 mm from the sides, there were longitudinal bulkheads between the double bottom and the armored deck.

The cruiser had three decks (upper, battery or residential, armored) and two platforms at the ends. The upper deck had a thickness of 9.5 mm in the middle and 7 mm at the ends. The upper deck was covered with 7 mm thick linoleum, unusual for Russian ships, replacing the traditional wooden flooring. Linoleum is much lighter and cheaper than pine or teak decking and does not threaten large fires in battle. But even with a little excitement, it turned out to be impossible to move along such a deck without outstretched handrails. In the heat, the rooms below deck were very hot, and in the cold, they suffered from condensing moisture.

The battery or living deck, 6 mm thick, was covered with 3.5 mm thick linoleum.

Sheets of outer skin were arranged in longitudinal rows (belts). The inner keel belts, passing in the middle of the bottom, had a thickness of 12 mm in the middle part of the hull and 10 mm at the extremities, the side belts - 8-10 mm, and the zygomatic, shirstrechny and at the waterline - 13 mm. In addition, the sheerstrachny belt above the side windows was doubled with sheets 10 mm thick.

Side keels, installed along the ship's hull, served to reduce pitching.

To ensure the survivability of the cruiser in case of combat damage, the hull below the residential (battery) deck was divided by watertight bulkheads into 13 compartments. There were no doors in these bulkheads.

Along the entire length of the ship in the waterline area there were side cofferdams 0.8 wide and 1.2 m high above the load waterline. According to the project, they were supposed to be filled with maize pulp and serve as additional protection. It was assumed that when water enters through the holes, the cellulose will swell and block the leak. Experiments with the use of such protection in the fleets of other countries were unsuccessful, and during the construction of Askold, the MTC decided to leave the rubber dams empty.

Coal pits were located directly at the boilers, along 50–97 sp. both under the armored deck and on it, along the sides, and served as additional protection.

On the new cruiser, sheathing of the underwater part with wood and copper sheets was abandoned. To protect against corrosion, as well as against fouling with shells, the underwater part of the hull was covered with the proprietary paint "International" (red) from the company "Goltzapfel". The double-bottom space was covered from the inside with a layer of Portland cement 13–50 mm thick. In places where the hull steel came into contact with copper and its alloys (stern tubes, kingstones), protectors - zinc bars - were placed to prevent electromechanical corrosion.

The cruiser had two metal masts with wooden topmasts, with a total height of 40 m from the GVL. The masts had two yards with rigging. On the "Askold" they abandoned bulky Mars with small-caliber guns. Already to late XIX centuries, it became clear that they were useless in battle. But on the "Varyag" this anachronism was preserved.

Chimneys with a diameter of 2.4 m towered 17 m above the deck. Pipes were held by stretch marks - pipes-backstays.

On the sides of the cruiser there were two outboard, retractable ladders: the right front one, intended for admirals and officers, and the left one - for work, command.

The nose of the "Askold" was decorated with a huge (2.4 m high) double-headed eagle. In his paws and beaks he held maps of the Baltic, Black, Caspian and White seas, on his chest is the image of George the Victorious on horseback. The decoration was carved from wood and covered with bronze paint.

Load distribution

Booking

To protect the vital parts of the ship along its entire length from the stem to the stern there was an armored deck, which had the shape of a tortoise shell (hence its name - carapace). Under the protection of the armored deck were the engine, boiler and tiller rooms, the central combat post, the cellars of artillery and mine ammunition, and the premises of mine vehicles. Its lower edge in the middle part of the hull was 1400 mm below the load waterline. Above the boiler and engine rooms, the upper edge of the horizontal part of the armored deck was 390 mm above the waterline, that is, it rose to the height of the living deck and had skylights in this place. In everyday conditions, they were kept open, and air and daylight entered the engine rooms. Before the battle, heavy 40-mm armor covers were lowered and hatches were tightly closed. Only for the release of steam and air access along the hatches were armored gratings.

The bevels of the deck made an angle of 37 degrees with its horizontal part and passed into it smoothly, with a rounding radius of 500 mm. All openings in the armored deck for chimneys and fans had armored gratings, and coal necks and hatches had armored covers.

Armor plates consisted of two layers: the lower one was made of shipbuilding steel 10 and 15 mm and the upper one was made of alloyed nickel Krupp armor 30 and 60 mm. The horizontal part of the armored deck was 40 (10 + 30) thick, beveled 75 (15 + 60) and 100 (10 + 30 + 60) mm. The bases of the chimneys and the ammunition supply elevators were covered, from the armored to the living deck, by 40-mm vertical armor plates. The descent into the tiller compartment was protected by an inclined 100 mm coaming.

The conning tower, in which all the controls for the ship and its weapons in battle were concentrated, had 150 mm vertical wall armor and a traverse of the same thickness that covered the entrance, and the roof and deck had 40 mm. The rudder drives, machine telegraphs, speech tubes coming out of the conning tower were placed in an armored tube with a diameter of 400 and a thickness of 80 mm.

The 152mm guns on the upper deck and forward superstructure had 25mm armor shields. Surface mine vehicles were protected by vertical 60-mm armor, and from below and above - by 30-mm horizontal decks.

All armor installed on the Askold was manufactured by the Krupp concern.

Power plant

The main power plant "Askold" consisted of three steam engines and nine boilers. On tests, she developed a maximum power of 21,100 hp. (record - 23,500 hp), providing a speed of 23.83 knots. (record 24.01 knots). The power plant was located in two engine rooms and five boiler rooms according to the classic scheme for that time - boiler rooms in front, engine rooms behind them.

Three main steam engines occupied the third and fourth compartments. The engine rooms occupied the space from the double bottom to the living deck (6 m).

The main four-cylinder vertical triple-expansion steam engine of the Germania system had one high and medium cylinder and two low pressure cylinders each. The cylinder diameters were 930, 1440 and 1630 mm, respectively, and the piston stroke was 950 mm. The length of the car is 8.3 and the height is 5 m. It developed a power of over 7 thousand hp.

To control the machine, the main steam double balanced valve was used, which was attached to the spool box of the high-pressure cylinder and communicated with the driver's station by traction.

Each car had pressure gauges and rev counters. The machines were supplied with cold water pipelines to cool the heating parts. Tubes with oil were brought to the sliding surfaces, which was then collected in pallets, cleaned and returned to the oil tank.

The crankshaft was placed in the bearings of a steel machine frame. These bearings had cannon-metal liners with a fill, they could be changed without removing the shaft itself. A thrust shaft was attached to the flange of the crankshaft of the machine, followed by the intermediate, stern tube and propeller shafts. A screw was mounted on the latter through a cone. To turn the main machines, auxiliary two-cylinder steam machines were provided, as well as manual drives, they were connected by a worm gear to the main shaft.

In the front engine room there were two cars, called "onboard". In the rear (stern) engine room was a machine that worked on the middle propeller. The right and left screws rotated in the same direction as the side, while the middle one was of left rotation.

In total, the cruiser had three three-bladed propellers with a diameter of 4.5 m with removable blades. Three spare blades were stored on the upper deck.

Each machine had a refrigerator with a cooling surface of 1980 square meters. m. Outboard water in it was pumped by a circulation pump through brass tubes, between which the spent (crumpled) steam from the low-pressure cylinder passed. The condensate was pumped out by an air pump into a warm box, while a rarefaction was created in the steam space of the refrigerator, which contributed to the condensation of the steam.

There were also circulation pumps that drove outboard water through the refrigerator.

In the aft engine room there was a stern dynamo and two distillers providing fresh water for boilers and for drinking. Each engine room was ventilated with one electric inlet and one exhaust centrifugal fan.

To provide steam for the main machines and auxiliary mechanisms, 9 boilers of the Thornycroft-Schulz system were installed in five boiler rooms. Eight of them were located in pairs in four boiler rooms, and one in the fifth. Each boiler room occupied a waterproof compartment and had its own chimney.

Schultz-Thornycroft water-tube boilers with small curved steam tubes were at that time more efficient than boilers of other systems. They had three water collectors and one steam. Feed water entered the middle lower collector, then was supplied through horizontal pipes to the side collectors and further to the side tube bundles. In the tubes, the water turned into steam, which rose into the steam collector. The entrained water was returned to the lower collector through the return water pipes. The highest steam pressure was 17 kg/sq. see Large steam capacity made it possible to reduce the size of the boiler room. In addition, the boilers had a lower height compared to the boilers of other systems. All ships of the German fleet had only Schultz-Thornycroft boilers.

Nine boilers "Askold" the total surface of the grate was 107 square meters. m, and the total heating surface of the boilers is 5120 sq. m (large boiler - 580 sq. m, small - 480). The weight of one boiler with water was 46.2 tons (39 tons without water), steam output - 21.2 t / h, efficiency - 60%, coal consumption - 1 kg / hp. per hour, the allowable air pressure during forced operation is 80 mm of water column.

The boilers were supplied with safety valves, water-gauge glasses and pressure gauges. Outside, the boilers were covered with asbestos and sheathed with galvanized sheets on top of it.

To supply the boilers with water in each engine room, there were two piston pumps of the Vira system (a total of 10 pumps). The amount of water in the boilers is 65 tons, in addition, the ship had a supply of boiler water - 123 tons. When five boilers were operating, it was enough for 10 days of a 15-knot course. A full supply of boiler water (370 tons) could provide navigation for a month. The lack of boiler water was made up for by evaporators. To clean the feed water from oil and impurities, filters were installed between the air pump and the bottoms. Steam from the boilers was supplied to the machines through a seamless steel pipeline. It was lined with a heat-insulating composition and sheathed with painted canvas. An auxiliary pipeline was laid to supply steam to numerous auxiliary mechanisms. Waste steam from auxiliary mechanisms was discharged into a separate refrigerator.

According to the project, the total supply of fuel in regular coal pits was 1050 tons, normal - 720 tons. Coal from coal pits was taken through special necks located in boiler rooms. Coal was brought to the furnaces in carts. The slag from the boiler rooms was removed using electric winches. Slag and ash were dumped overboard through special ports on board.

In the boiler houses there were two pressure centrifugal fans of the Black system with a steam drive.

ship systems

The drainage system served to pump out large masses of water that entered through the holes after they were sealed (it did not make sense to pump out water before the hole was sealed - the pumps would have pumped the sea). By that time, shipbuilders had abandoned the common main pipe, which ensured the pumping of water from any compartment with one pump, and switched to an autonomous system. At Askold, any of the 13 compartments was drained by its own drainage facilities. In all boiler rooms and in the fifth and eleventh compartments, there were centrifugal dewatering pumps (turbines) with an electric drive. Water was pumped out through drain pipes. In addition to the turbines, there were four Ston hand pumps on the upper and battery decks.

To remove from the compartments a small amount of water left after the operation of the drainage system or accumulated in the hull due to filtration, leaks, sweating of the sides and decks, etc., a drainage system was intended. It consisted of special pipelines and Wartington steam piston pumps installed in each compartment so as not to make holes in watertight bulkheads. They were able to pump out the remaining water, which the turbines of the drainage system could no longer take from the bilges of the side compartments and the double bottom.

The cellar flooding system, when the temperature in them rises above the critical one and in the event of a fire in them, ensured that they were filled with water within 15 minutes. Water flowed into the cellars by gravity when the outboard kingston was unlocked. The valve stems were brought out into the battery deck and had screw caps with locks to prevent unauthorized flooding. The system of pipelines and valves made it possible to flood each cellar individually, as well as entire groups of adjacent cellars. The water was removed from the cellars through the drain valves into the double-bottom space, and then with the help of a drainage system overboard.

The fire-fighting system consisted of a main pipe passing under the armored deck and separated by means of clinkers into three independent parts. Branches from the main pipe, extending above the armored deck, ended in swivel horns, to which fire hoses were connected. In the event of combat damage, these processes could be turned off with special clinkets. Water was supplied to the fire main by the Wartington pumps of the drainage system, which in this case were used as bilge-fire pumps. Stokes hand pumps could also be used for firefighting purposes.

Extinguishing fires in coal pits was carried out with the help of steam, which was supplied through special steam pipelines from the main boilers - a steam extinguishing system. In order to facilitate the exit of people from the engine and boiler rooms during large fires, shower funnels were provided in the exit shafts, creating a water curtain.

The domestic water supply system of the ship consisted of a group of systems designed to provide domestic and sanitary needs of the ship with fresh and sea water. The system of household outboard (sea) water supplied baths, latrines, showers in boiler rooms with water.

The coastal fresh water system supplied wash basins, a bathhouse, a laundry, an infirmary, buffets, galleys, etc. The role of water towers was performed by tanks located above the upper deck on superstructures. With the help of a pump, water was pumped into tanks, and from there it flowed by gravity to consumers. The supply of fresh water (53 tons) was stored in cement-covered tanks in the double-bottom space and was designed for 17 days. In addition, there was a supply of water for washing - 83 tons.

In the aft engine room there were two seawater desalination plants, which provided 280 tons of fresh water per day for boilers and for drinking. Water pipelines and cisterns of washing, drinking and boiler water did not communicate with each other.

The low-pressure steam heating system provided heating for the cruiser's living and service areas. Steam from the main boilers, under pressure reduced to two atmospheres, entered the heating batteries through steam pipelines. The exhaust steam was condensed and discharged through pipes to fresh water tanks. In officer cabins, saloons and wardrooms, steam heaters were covered with marble boards.

The ventilation system on the cruiser was divided into natural and artificial. When designing it (as in the case of drainage and drainage systems), the requirement was met - to avoid cutting pipes through the main and, if possible, secondary bulkheads. Each compartment had its own fans. Particular attention was paid to the ventilation of engine and boiler rooms, where the unbearable heat made the already hard work of stokers and machinists unbearable. In the rooms above the boiler rooms, the effect of increasing the natural draft from heating the ventilation shafts with hot air was used. Under the armored deck in the bow and stern of the engine and boiler rooms, ventilation was carried out by screw electric fans. The rooms above the armored deck had natural ventilation, with the exception of clothes dryers, provisional cellars and rooms for small dynamos.

Due to the fact that smokeless powder emitted ethereal gases and decomposed when the temperature rose, the artillery cellars had separate ventilation with cooling of the injected air. Insulators were installed in the ventilation pipes leading to the cellars to prevent lightning strikes. The coal pits also required special attention and periodic ventilation, where the possibility of spontaneous combustion of coal emitting flammable gases was not ruled out. To control the temperature in all coal pits, special temperature tubes were installed, going from the bottom of the pits to the battery deck.

In the middle part of the living deck on the starboard side there was a workshop with turning, drilling and grinding machines.

Artillery armament

When commissioned, the cruiser had twelve 152/45 mm and 75/50 mm guns, eight 47 and three 37 mm Hotchkiss guns, two 63.5 mm Baranovsky landing guns and two machine guns.

152-millimeter (six-inch) guns were mounted on the bow superstructure, on the poop and on the upper deck (five on each side).

A six-inch 45-caliber model of 1891 was manufactured at the Obukhov plant under license from the French engineer Canet. It had a barrel length of 6.8 m, a hydraulic recoil brake, of a spindle type, a spring knurler, and a recoil length of 375–400 mm. Piston lock. Loading separately-sleeve. The charge - 12 kg of gunpowder - was placed in a brass sleeve 1095 mm long. The projectile had a mass of 41.4 kg. Kane's guns became the first medium-caliber cartridge guns in Russia. Their charge was in a brass sleeve, and not in a silk bag, as in the previous samples of caps. All this facilitated the loading of the gun and contributed to an increase in the rate of fire.

Lifting mechanism with toothed arc. The vertical guidance angle is from -6o to +20o, the horizontal guidance angle is 360o.

The maximum firing range of the gun was 11.6 km (at an elevation angle of 20o), the maximum rate of fire was 6 rounds per minute with mechanical supply of shells and charges from cellars and 2 with manual supply. During the First World War, the commandors of the Askold in training brought the loading speed up to 10 or more rounds per minute. Each gun was served by 9 people: the owner (commander) of the gun, two gunners, a sight installer, a lock and 4 shell carriers. In total, the main caliber was served by over 100 artillery servants and 18 elevator and cellar servants. As a result of the Russo-Japanese War, the number of gun servants was increased. In order to withstand the maximum rate of fire, the shell carriers had to have remarkable physical strength - after all, the shell weighed 41 kg. Yes, and manual drives of horizontal and especially vertical guidance required effort. The aiming and firing of each gun could be carried out both individually and centrally, using artillery fire control devices (PUAO). Two large dials (diameter 350 mm) of these instruments were opposite each gun. In addition, all guns were equipped with electrical devices for remote ignition of charges.

75-mm (three-inch) guns of the Kane system in 50 calibers of the 1891 model on machine tools designed by the Russian artilleryman A.M. Meller were located on the battery deck side by side without shields. They were intended to repel destroyer attacks.

The gun had a barrel length of 3750 mm. The brake is hydraulic, the knurler is hydropneumatic, the rollback length is 400 mm. Piston lock. These guns fired unitary cartridges containing a projectile and a charge, which greatly simplified the loading process and contributed to an increase in the rate of fire. Brass sleeve 662 mm long with a charge of 1.5 kg of smokeless powder and a projectile weighing 4.9 kg. Angle of vertical guidance from -15o to +20o. the lifting mechanism had a gear arc, and the rotary mechanism, through shafts and gears, was engaged with a gear shoulder strap attached to the pin base. Firing range up to 7000 m at +20o. Rate of fire - 10 rounds per minute with mechanical feeding of cartridges and 4 - with manual.

Six 47-mm semi-automatic guns of the Hotchkiss system of the 1896 model were installed permanently (on the bow and stern superstructures), and two - on removable machines - they could be transferred to two steam boats. These guns were also intended to repel destroyer attacks. The barrel of the gun, fastened with a casing, slid in the holder, had a mercury compressor and a pneumatic knurler. Wedge gate is vertical. Aiming was carried out with the help of an emphasis on the shoulder of the gunner.

Two Model 1896 37 mm Hotchkiss cannons could be removed and used on the cruiser's longboats.

Two 63.5-mm guns of the Baranovsky model of 1882 on a wheeled carriage were intended for naval assault. Their light weight made it possible to unload them from the cruiser with an arrow onto a longboat or boat and manually deliver them to the shore. They were located on the upper deck - like two machine guns of the Maxim system.

The power of artillery fire ("manpower") at that time was measured in ton-feet. The six-inch "Askold" had a power of 4300, a 75-mm gun - 550.

Ammunition for 152-mm guns was calculated for 3 hours of combat, 180 rounds per gun, for 75-mm - for 2.5 hours of combat, 650 rounds each. The ammunition of the main caliber consisted of 564 armor-piercing, 564 high-explosive, 624 cast iron, 372 segmental shells, and 75-mm: 1500 armor-piercing and 2116 cast iron. After the Russo-Japanese War, cast-iron and segment shells were replaced with high-explosive ones.

Artillery ammunition was stored in 12 cellars (six of them were intended for 152-mm, three for 75-mm and three for small-caliber artillery). Total capacity: 2204 - 152mm, 3616 - 75mm, 5990 - 47mm, 1620 - 37mm shots.

The supply of shells, charges and unitary cartridges from the cellars was carried out by 14 electric elevators (eight for the main caliber and three for 75-mm and small-caliber guns) or in a backup way - hand winches. In the event of their failure, manual feed using hoists was provided, but the feed rate of the elevators was three times higher.

The ammunition was stored vertically in the cellars in the so-called gazebos for four shots of 152-mm caliber and 16 - 75-mm. These arbors, suspended from trolleys, rolled along the monorail into the elevator elevator. Then the electric winch was turned on and the lift along the elevator shaft brought the gazebo with shells upstairs. Each cellar had its own elevator. From the elevators, the gazebos were pulled by the sailors along the rails by hand to the guns and there they were unloaded onto a tarpaulin spread on the deck. The storage of ammunition in gazebos ensured a high feed rate, but reduced the usable volume of cellars.

Characteristics of the guns of the cruiser "Askold"

There were no special devices for loading shells onto the ship; they were either loaded manually along ladders from a barge or from a wall, or through open ports of 75-mm guns.

The fire control of the cruiser was carried out with the help of artillery fire control devices (PUAO), manufactured by the St. Petersburg plant "N.K. Geisler and Co. the PUAO system allowed the artillery officer to control all the artillery and each gun individually from the conning tower or from the central post.

In the conning tower and the central post there were pointers (setting devices) at the guns and in the cellars there were dials that received. The guns had combat and rangefinder dials. The setting pointers and dials were connected by electrical cables.

The transmission of orders was carried out by turning the handle of the setting device. Combat indicators transmitted to the dials near the guns the direction to the target - heading angle, signal indicators transmitted orders about the type of firing being performed: “attack”, “short alarm”, “shot”, etc. The projectile indicators were transmitted to the dials at the guns and in the cellars what shells to feed to the guns.

The rangefinder setting device was included in the rangefinder station kit - a column with a rangefinder installed on it. With the help of this device, the distances determined by the rangefinder were transmitted to the dials in the conning tower and at the guns. Separately, in the conning tower, two stations of rangefinder dials, two master rangefinder dials, and two receiving rangefinder dials were installed.

When the chain of receiving rangefinder dials was connected, the distance from the rangefinder stations was transmitted simultaneously to the conning tower and to the guns. When the chain was disconnected, the distance to the guns was transmitted by the rangefinder key of the conning tower only according to the data of the master rangefinder dial. The receiving devices for 152 mm guns were 12 battery dials and 12 turret (as they were called according to the method of attachment) dials for 75 mm guns. The combat dial received instructions about the heading angle (from 0 to 180o) and commands about the type of shooting. Commands about the type of shells were received on the lower part of the rangefinder dial, and data on distances were sent to the upper part. Separate shell dials were intended for the cellars.

Two stations of the central post had two master and two combat dials, four keys to them and two signal combat dials each.

To determine the distance to the target (necessary for calculating the sight), rangefinder stations with rangefinders (micrometers) of the Luzhal-Myakishev system were located on the upper bridge and the aft superstructure of the Askold. During repairs in January 1915 in Toulon, the cruiser was equipped with British intrabase optical rangefinders Barr and Stroud.

Organizationally, all naval artillery was reduced to 12 plutongs or groups of guns under the command of an officer, which can conduct salvo fire at one target. However, due to the lack of officers, the plutong often included guns from different sides. Plutongs from the 1st to the 4th included 75 mm guns, from the 6th to 10 - 152 mm guns, 5, 11, 12 - 47 mm guns. Subsequently, during the service of the cruiser, the composition and number of plutongs changed. Basically, each plutong included 2–4 guns.

Taking into account the location of the reservation, cofferdams, coal pits and the angles of shelling of the guns and the location of the reservation, the heading angles from 45 to 60 degrees of both sides were the most advantageous for the artillery battle of the cruiser.

During the service of the ship, the artillery armament changed: two 75-mm, two 47-mm guns, machine guns and both Baranovsky cannons were left in the besieged Port Arthur. Subsequently, two ports of 75-mm guns were closed up.

At the time when the Askold was being built, there were no aircraft as opponents of ships. The Wright brothers made their flight in December 1903, that is, almost two years after the cruiser entered service. Submarines built at the beginning of the century were not considered as a serious opponent to surface ships. Therefore, the ship had neither anti-aircraft nor anti-submarine weapons. But at the beginning of the First World War, aviation began to develop rapidly and become an independent branch of the military. Submarines actively destroyed not only civilian ships, but also warships.

Therefore, during the First World War, two 47-mm and two 57-mm English, two 47-mm French anti-aircraft guns and four machine guns and an anti-aircraft rangefinder were removed from the Askold and installed. Diving shells were intended to fight submarines.

To illuminate the attacking enemy destroyers at night, the Askold had six combat searchlights of the Mangin system with a mirror diameter of 75 cm (power 7.9 kW). They were located on the bow and stern superstructures and the middle bridge. On superstructures, searchlights were placed on special platforms. Each spotlight could be controlled either directly on site manually or remotely using an electric drive.

Mine armament

Despite the short range (600–900 m) of Whitehead mines (torpedoes) of that time (sample 1898), all large ships were armed with them. It was believed that the presence of mines on a ship could prevent the enemy from coming close to finish off a damaged ship or quickly sink an enemy ship.

The Askold had six 381 mm mine launchers for firing 17-foot Whitehead mines (torpedoes). On the battery deck in the diametrical plane, there were bow and stern vehicles with an air firing system. Of the four onboard vehicles, two of Armstrong's underwater systems had an air, and two surface Putilov plant (stood on a battery deck for 54 sp.) - a gunpowder firing system. The bow, stern and underwater vehicles were stationary, the pipes of the bow and stern apparatus were embedded in the annular holes of the fore and sternpost. The underwater vehicle compartment was located under the armored deck between the 46th and 50th frames. The surface boards could turn on the apple joint within 45o ahead and 35o behind the traverse. In the conning tower there were sights for each apparatus, the command to fire was transmitted by electric indicators, by telephone or by voice pipes. In addition, each device was equipped with a sighting sight, which made it possible to conduct independent firing.

14 Whitehead mines were stored on the ship, 12 of them were placed at the vehicles on rotary racks, and two spare ones for underwater vehicles were in the aft mine compartment. Charging (combat) compartments of torpedoes were stored in a mine cellar. From the racks to the apparatus, the mines were fed with the help of carts along the rails. There were special rails in the room for underwater mine vehicles, in the rest - along the rails for feeding shells. It took 10 minutes to recharge the device after firing. There was a special port for loading mines.

To arm the steam boats, there were two removable 254-mm devices for firing throwing mines.

Cylinders of mines and devices of the air firing system were filled with compressed air using three Schfarzkopf pumps (compressors), located below the armored deck. After the Russo-Japanese War, airborne surface vehicles were dismantled.

In a special mine cellar in the stern, 35 mines of the barrage of the 1898 model were stored. All large ships of the Russian fleet before the Russo-Japanese War constantly carried this very dangerous cargo. For their production, a collapsible mine raft was placed on board. The raft could be towed by a boat to the mine laying site. The mines were removed from the cruiser in Port Arthur.

To protect against self-propelled mines (torpedoes), the Askold had a removable net barrier, which consisted of steel poles hinged to the side, steel nets and equipment. When setting, the poles were installed perpendicular to the board, unfastened with braces, and a net was suspended from their ends. Its twenty panels measuring 7.6 × 6 m consisted of woven metal rings with a diameter of 152 mm. In a marching way, the poles were unfastened along the sides, and the folded nets were stacked on special shelves.

By the end of the 19th century, electric power was widely used on the ships of the Russian fleet, and not only for lighting. Electric motors replaced steam engines in the drives of auxiliary mechanisms.

But according to the tradition that arose in the middle of the century, all electrical equipment belonged to mine weapons. The cruiser was powered by six steam dynamos from Siemens and Halske with a total capacity of 336 kW. Four of them, with a capacity of 67 kW each, were located under the armored deck (in the compartment between the 97th and 100th frames and in the aft engine room), and two (34 kW each) were located in a separate wheelhouse on the upper deck. Such a rational placement of generators increased the survivability of the ship's electrical system.

The ship's 105 V direct current electrical network consisted of three ring mains - for powering electric motors, lighting and searchlights. Electricity consumers were elevator winches, sump pumps, 723 light bulbs, machine and steering telegraphs, mine and artillery indicators, rudder position indicators, telephones, bells, loud chime bells, six searchlights of the Mangin system.

Ship devices

The steering device, which included a rudder and a rudder drive, was intended to control the ship. The steering wheel on the "Askold" was a balancing type. The cast frame of the steering wheel was sheathed with steel sheets 8 mm thick, and inside it was filled with cork. The steam steering engine, located in the tiller compartment, under the armored deck, made it possible to shift the steering wheel from side to side in 30 seconds. The control valve of the steering machine was carried out from four posts, which had steering wheels with hydraulic and electric drives: in the conning and navigation cabins, on the aft superstructure and in the tiller compartment. In the event of a malfunction of the steam engine, steering control was transferred to a manual steering wheel in the tiller compartment. To control this steering wheel, the efforts of four people were required.

The steering wheel, or rather the steam steering machine, for greater reliability was carried out using one of two remote drives: hydraulic and electric. The hydraulic drive consisted of a pipeline filled with glycerine and hydraulic cylinders.

The anchor device consisted of two Hall anchors with non-retractable rods weighing 4 tons each, an anchor chain with a diameter of 52 mm and a length of 278 m, Baxter bow fairleads and two spare anchors on the deck. Hall's anchors, because of the stocks, could not be drawn into the fairleads, and they had to be lifted out of the water by crane beams and fastened to the board on pillows. This made it difficult to carry out work on setting up and removing the ship from anchors. It was only during repairs in England in 1917 that the stock anchors were replaced with Smith system anchors retractable into hawsers.

A steam spire was located on the tank. The steam capstan machine was on the armored deck. She powered two vertical shafts for anchor chains and one double shaft for mooring cables. In addition, for manually nursing the anchor, there was a spire with holes for embossing on the forecastle. A small steam capstan was installed on the poop for mooring lines.

Like all ships of the Russian (and not only Russian) fleet, the cruiser had a collapsible awning device installed in open areas of the deck to protect it from precipitation and the scorching rays of the sun. Awnings were placed when the ship was moored.

Watercraft

For the transportation of various cargoes and personnel, the landing of troops and the rescue of people on the water, the cruiser was supplied with various watercraft. Two steam boats with a displacement of 12.25 tons were able to travel 180 miles at full speed of 9.35 knots. When landing, they were armed with a 47-mm Hotchkiss gun in the bow and a Maxim machine gun in the stern. Instead of a gun, a throwing mine apparatus could be installed.

For the delivery of goods to the ship, a steel 20-oar launch (11.6 m long) and a steel 14-oar semi-barge - a work boat (9.7 m) served. Two boats (rowing wooden and steel with an internal combustion engine 9.14 m long) were intended for the commander and officers). The purpose of the commander (length 8.43 m) and officer (8.53 m) whaleboats - high-speed boats - followed from their name. In addition, they were used to rescue people on the water. Two six-oared yawls (6.1 m) provided for daily needs. In order not to take up space on the deck, steam and row boats and longboats were placed on rosters at a height of 2.5 m above the deck, and whaleboats and "sixes" were suspended from davits. Heavy steam boats and longboats were launched into the water with the help of a cargo boom and a steam winch, and the rest of the watercraft - with hand hoists.

The working launch was adapted to carry the Baranovsky landing gun, and two half-boats were armed with 37-mm guns. For laying mines, there was a collapsible mine raft that lifted six mines. It took 20 minutes to assemble it, and another ten to load mines.

Upon commissioning in accordance with the standard configuration, the cruiser's crew: 21 officers, 9 conductors, 550 lower ranks (non-commissioned officers, sailors). During the First World War, the crew consisted of 19 officers, 11 conductors, 620 lower ranks.

Living spaces

On the cruiser, according to the tradition of the ships of the sailing fleet, the premises of the commander and officers were located in the stern, and the teams - in the bow. But if for sailboats this was quite rational, then for steam ships it was just the opposite: the noise from the mechanisms and the vibration in the stern were the greatest. In addition, during a combat alert, the commander and most of the officers had to run through almost the entire ship in order to get to combat posts.

The premises of the ship's commander, which included a salon, an office, a bedroom, a bathroom with a latrine, were located in the aft superstructure. There was also a spare cabin and a commanding officer's cabin. When the ship hosted an admiral or distinguished guests, the commander had to move to a spare cabin. In the superstructure on the upper deck, there were separate officer, conductor and command galleys and command wash basins.

In the aft part of the living deck were officers' quarters. Their location directly above the machines cannot be considered successful. Besides. there were also three powerful centrifugal fans pulling hot air from the engine rooms. The senior officer's quarters consisted of an office and a bedroom. It was on the starboard side near the wardroom. On the left side opposite was the officer's buffet.

The officers lived in single cabins. (For comparison, on the Diana-class cruisers, the officers' cabins were doubles.) Each cabin had a desk with an armchair, a bunk, a metal cabinet, and a washbasin. In the officers' wardroom, in addition to dining tables with armchairs, there were sofas, snack and sofa tables, a bookcase and a piano. The steel bulkheads of the officers' cabins were sheathed with cork slabs 15 mm thick, and in the wardroom they were also covered with damask upholstery. Curtains of woolen fabric hung on the portholes, doors of saloons, saloons and cabins. In general, the use of wood and fabrics for finishing officer quarters was reduced to a minimum. From the officers' quarters all the way to the bow were the living quarters of the crew. At night, the sailors dismantled the berths, which, as in the days of the sailing fleet, were hung from the beams. Each bunk had space 3.6 m long and 0.6 m wide. With a wake-up call at the command “beds up”, they were rolled up and placed in bed nets (boxes) located along the sides on the upper deck. Personal belongings and uniforms of the team were stored in metal lockers.

Tables and benches (cans) were installed on the living deck for meals and team activities. After the end of classes, they were folded and hung from the ceiling between the beams. Here, on the living deck, behind the officers' cabins, there was a camp church, or rather its place. Just for the duration of the service, the iconostasis was laid out and church utensils were brought from a special cabin.

In the middle part of the living deck on the left side there were single and double cabins for the conductors and their wardroom with a buffet.

In addition, on the living deck there was a bath for mechanical engineers, tanks for stokers, samovars for the team, a laundry room and a clothes dryer.

In the middle part on the starboard side there were an operating room, an infirmary and a pharmacy.

Premises for storing food (provision pantries) were divided into rooms for dry provisions, for wet provisions, admiral and officer cellars. Between the engine and boiler rooms there was a refrigerator compartment with a cold store for perishable products.

Control

The cruiser and its technical means could be controlled from four points: from the conning tower, the combat central post, the wheelhouse and the aft bridge. Emergency steering was provided from the tiller compartment.

The main command post of the ship was the combat armored cabin. From here they controlled the ship in battle, and therefore all the technical means necessary for this were concentrated here: a traveling magnetic compass, a steering wheel, an electric rudder position indicator, a machine telegraph, tachometers, artillery fire control devices, sights of mine (torpedo) tubes, pedals loud ringing bells and in-ship communication facilities (talking pipes, electric bells and telephones) with a navigational cabin, with plutong commanders, mine apparatus rooms and ammunition cellars, engine rooms.

These funds were also duplicated in the central post under the armored deck (with the exception of the sights of mine vehicles), where the control of the ship was transferred in the event of a failure of the conning tower.

The wheelhouse was located on the navigation bridge, above the roof of the conning tower. From it, the ship was controlled when sailing in everyday conditions. All the ship's control devices are concentrated here: a steering wheel, a machine telegraph, a traveling magnetic compass, telephones, speaking pipes, machine revolution counters, as well as a laying table for graphic laying of a course by an officer on duty.

If it was impossible to control the ship from the posts located in the bow, it was also possible to control the ship from an open post on the aft superstructure.

Behind the conning tower was the navigation cabin. The navigational cabin housed the means necessary for the continuous calculation of the ship: a chronometer, engine tachometers, a rudder position indicator, and an inclinometer. In the navigational table, on the lid of which the navigation officer led the graphic laying of the path, as well as in special cabinets, navigational charts and navigational manuals, nautical instruments, devices for destroying the deviation of magnetic compasses and for hydrometeorological observations were stored. The navigation cabin was connected by a system of voice pipes and a bell alarm to all the posts where magnetic compasses were located - with the wheelhouse and conning tower, the central combat post, the aft post and the tiller compartment.

The ship had six magnetic compasses. The main compasses were located: the bow compass on the roof of the wheelhouse (away from the metal), and the stern compass - on a hill, on the aft bridge. There was a combat compass in the conning tower. Traveling compasses were located in the wheelhouse, on the aft superstructure and in the tiller compartment. Boats and boats had their own portable compasses stored in a special cabin. The steel hull of the ship influenced the readings of magnetic compasses. Therefore, every hour and at the end of the four-hour watch, the readings of the traveling compasses were compared with the main ones. In addition, once per watch, the deviations (deviation) of the main compasses were determined in all possible ways (by coastal alignments, the sun, stars). Periodically, at the beginning of navigation, after docking or artillery firing, the “destruction” (compensation) of the deviation was carried out.

Magnetic compasses, along with sextants and chronometers, were the main means of navigation of the time.

In-ship communication was carried out using voice pipes, electric bells and telephones.

The external communication of the ship was provided by signal flags, which were raised in certain combinations on the halyards of the foremast and main mast. At night, the lights of the Tabulevich and Stepanov systems were used.

As signaling means of "long-distance communication" "Mangin's combat searchlights" could also be used, which transmitted signals in Morse code through the clouds.

Visual observation was carried out using traditional means - spotting scopes and binoculars.

A relatively new means of communication was a wireless telegraphy station, which consisted of a spark transmitter and a detector receiver. The "Askold" had a radio station made in the radio workshop of the Kronstadt port. During the repairs of the ship, more modern radio stations were installed on it. The cabin of the wireless telegraph station (radio room) was located on the bow superstructure behind the chart house.

Maneuverability

"Askold" could turn around on the spot with the help of some machines, without using the steering wheel. The effect of wind on speed is negligible. With a wind of more than 6 points, the speed decreased by 10–15%. The half-circulation time when shifting the rudder on board at a speed of 10 knots is 3 minutes. The minimum speed at which the ship obeyed the helm well was 10 knots.

Tactical and technical elements

cruiser of the 1st rank "Askold"

Dimensions, m

Load waterline length 130

Overall length 131.2

Width at load waterline 15

Width overall 16.87

Nasal draft 6.2

Draft amidships 6.22

Draft astern 6.3

Design displacement, t 5900

Displacement normal, t 6000

Metacentric height, m ​​0.94

Fuel reserve, t:

Normal 720

Full 1050

Reinforced 1250

Coal consumption at full stroke, t/h. eighteen

Cruising range 10 knots

economic course, miles

With full fuel

Design 6500

With normal fuel

Actual 2340

Full speed, knots

Design 3

After renovation in 1911 20

Power of mechanisms, indicator hp

Design 19 000

Overall evaluation of the project

Armored 6000-ton cruisers of the program "for the needs of the Far East" were built according to the same technical specifications. But, built by different foreign factories, they turned out to be completely different both in appearance and in basic shipbuilding characteristics. They even differed in silhouettes: "Bogatyr" had three pipes, "Varyag" - four, and "Askold" - five.

The Japanese also had four of the same type of Takasago-class cruisers. And in Russia, at St. Petersburg plants, under the program of 1895, three armored cruisers of the same type were built - Diana, Pallada and Aurora.

The Varyag was the first to go into operation - it entered the official trials two years after the start of construction, the Askold and Bogatyr were built a whole year longer. But on the other hand, the Varyag turned out to be the most expensive: its total cost, together with weapons and ammunition, is 6 million rubles, Askold - 5 million, Bogatyr - 5.5 million. First of all, this is explained by 2-3 times higher than in Germany, the cost of labor in US shipyards.

Comparative data on the cost of ships of foreign construction

All three cruisers had the same armament. Within the framework of the “design program”, the Americans on the Varyag less successfully solved the problem of protecting artillery, where the 152-mm guns did not even have shields, that is, the servants of the guns and mechanisms were left without protection. The Bogatyr artillery was the most protected: four 152-mm guns in the towers, the same number in casemates, and only four more in deck installations. On the "Askold" all 152-mm guns had shields. However, from the point of view of fire control, the Askold was distinguished by the best location of the guns. All of its 152-mm guns were located on the upper deck, and the 75-mm guns were located on the deck below. On the Bogatyr, the 152-mm and 75-mm guns were interspersed in the middle part, which made it difficult to control their fire. The "Bogatyr" had eight guns of the main caliber in the side salvo, the "Askold" - seven, the "Varyag" - six. But due to the fact that the rate of fire of the Bogatyr's turret guns was half that of the deck mounts, the Askold was in fact the leader in terms of salvo weight.

The power plants of the cruisers also differed. At the "Varyag" and "Bogatyr" it was twin-shaft, that is, they had two steam engines each. "Askold" was three-shaft, and, accordingly, had three cars, standing in two engine rooms, which increased the survivability of the power plant.

On the "Varyag" there were 30 boilers of the Niklos system in three boiler rooms, on the "Bogatyr" they used Norman's boilers, which were in three boiler rooms. The boilers of the Schultz-Thornycroft system, which were on the Askold, turned out to be the best - 9 boilers in five boiler rooms. And this despite the fact that the MTK, when issuing tasks to three plants, stipulated the use of Belleville system boilers on cruisers.

When designing the "Askold", the specialists of the company "Germany", fearing failure to fulfill the terms of the contract in terms of speed, unnecessarily narrowed the hull and tried to lighten the ship as much as possible. This led to the fact that the relative length of the cruiser (already large in the original project) became 8.7 in the final version (for the Varyag it was 8.1). At the request of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Supervisory Commission, some structures were strengthened during construction, additional reinforcements were made, as a result of which the weight of the hull turned out to be 83 tons more than in the original project. During operation, the “ease of construction” made itself felt by vibration and, as they said then, by the fact that the hull “breathed” at high speed. In 1903, two floors burst in the stern, and additional reinforcements had to be carried out.

"Varyag" and "Bogatyr" had a forecastle, so they had better seaworthiness. The haste of the builders deprived the "Askold" of the forecastle, which was offered by the shipbuilding department of the MTK, and therefore, on the oncoming ocean wave, he buried his nose in the water. Nevertheless, he made many ocean voyages.

On the "Varyag" and "Bogatyr" boats were more successfully placed. In terms of habitability, the Askold differed from its contemporaries for the worse (it had narrow passages, less comfortable cockpits). But the design and workmanship of the mechanical installation of the cruiser were beyond praise. Boilers and machines have proved to be reliable and very economical. At least the following fact can be cited as confirmation: for 18,500 miles traveled by Askold in 1902, 7300 tons of coal were consumed. "Varyag" on the way to 8000 miles took 8000 tons! During long-distance crossings, "Varyag" at a speed of 10 knots spent 68 tons of coal per day, "Askold" at a speed of 11 knots - 61 tons.

Looking ahead, we note that it was thanks to the excellent machine installation that Askold was able to make his famous breakthrough in the battle on July 28, 1904.

The "Achilles' heel" of the "Varyag" was the boilers of Niklos. They were witty in concept, but too capricious in operation, requiring a larger number of specially trained teams. The MTK adopted a special resolution in which it refused to use Niklos boilers in the Russian fleet, recognizing them as unreliable. Therefore, only the Varyag and the battleship Retvizan, built in the USA by C. Kramp, had these boilers. Yes, and the Varyag steam engines were assembled carelessly. At the acceptance tests, they allowed to reach a maximum speed of 24.59 knots, but, having arrived in Port Arthur, the Varyag spent most of the time at the wall in endless repairs.

Test results

The fate of the three cruisers in the Russo-Japanese War developed differently. "Varyag" died on the first day of the war. The “Bogatyr” never managed to test its excellent qualities in battle - without meeting the enemy, without firing a single shot, three months after the start of the war, it ran into stones, received heavy damage and was repaired until the end of the war (the excellent qualities of the “Bogatyr” were confirmed during the First World War "Oleg", "Cahul" and "Ochakov"). And only "Askold" was subjected to a comprehensive check, actively participating in the hostilities near Port Arthur.

The main drawback of "Askold" and his brothers was the lack of an armor belt along the waterline. The experience of the Russo-Japanese War showed that coal pits and side cofferdams cannot serve as sufficient protection against hits in the waterline area from shells of 152 mm caliber and above. Even if the bevel of the armored deck remained intact, the water through the necks deformed by the explosion, the holes of the knocked out or loosened rivets, the parted seams of the decks and bulkheads, flooded several onboard compartments and filtered into the neighboring ones. The holes received by Askold and Diana at the waterline in the battle on July 28, 1904 were the main reason for their internment in Shanghai and Saigon, since they could not reach Vladivostok with such damage. After the war, the very idea of ​​protecting the vital parts of cruisers with only a carapace deck instead of belt armor was criticized. So, the teacher of the Naval Academy N.L. Klado wrote: “As for the large armored cruisers, their uselessness is beyond any doubt, and it’s not worth dwelling on this, since it was decided long before this war in all fleets, with the exception, unfortunately, Russian” . This opinion was shared by the captain of the 1st rank L.F. Dobrotvorsky, who commanded the cruiser "Oleg" in the Battle of Tsushima. Indeed, Germany did not reproduce either Askold or Bogatyr in its fleet, continuing to build well-protected armored cruisers with strong artillery and “small” cruisers with 105-mm artillery with a displacement of about 3000 tons. Also, the American Navy was not flattered by the project "Varangian". However, it should be noted that, when determining the main elements of future cruisers, the MTK experts proceeded from the fact that a long-range reconnaissance aircraft should be stronger and faster than Japanese cruisers of the Takasago type, that is, not intended for combat with armored cruisers, move away from them due to the advantage in speed . But it was in battles with the Japanese armored cruisers Asama and Yakumo that the Askold emerged victorious. Then a comparison with modern armored cruisers of a similar displacement will be in favor of Askold. The main opponents - the cruisers "Takasago", "Chitose", "Kasagi", "Yoshino" during the tests developed a fairly high speed - up to 23 knots, but with a minimum load and a significant forcing of the boilers. Russian ships were tested in more severe conditions, which could give a difference in the course of up to two knots. In terms of the power of artillery fire, the Askold surpassed these rivals, and even more so the armored cruisers of a smaller displacement (Otova, Niytaka, Tsushima). English cruisers of the Hermes type (three units) entered service in 1900-1905. (displacement 5600 tons, speed - 20-21 knots, armament - 11 - 152 mm, 9 - 76 mm, 6 - 47 mm guns and two torpedo tubes). Moreover, in England, large armored cruisers of 11,000 tons of the Diadem and Argonaut types were built in parallel with 16 - 152-mm, 14 - 76-mm guns and a speed of 20-21 knots. In France, in 1901, the armored cruiser Chateaureno developed 24 knots with a displacement of about 8000 tons, but was inferior to our cruisers in armament, having 2 - 165-mm, 6 - 140-mm and 10 - 47-mm guns. The Gishen, which entered service a year later, had the same armament, which developed an average speed of 23.55 knots during a 4-hour test. The next "Juvien de la Graviere" with a displacement of 5685 tons was armed with 8 165-mm and 10 47-mm guns, had a speed of more than 21 knots. Thus, Clado's assessment of large armored cruisers contained an inaccuracy: they were built in the largest maritime powers. And when comparing Askold with modern armored cruisers, one can reasonably conclude that he was superior to them in most elements.

Russian armored cruisers have proven themselves well not only in the Russo-Japanese War. During the First World War, they were active in all theaters: "Bogatyr", "Oleg", "Diana" and "Aurora" - in the Baltic, "Kahul" and "Memory of Mercury" - in the Black Sea, "Askold" - in the vast Indian Ocean, Red and Mediterranean Seas.

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The following excerpt from the book Askold. The best cruiser of the Port Arthur squadron (A. A. Chernyshev, 2017) provided by our book partner -