Russian armoured cruiser Gromoboi 1897-1922

Her class existing of just her was preceded by the Rossia while she was succeeded by the Bayan-class. She was especially designed as a long distance anti merchant trade shipping cruiser and served in this role during the war with Japan in 1904-1905 while stationed at Vladivostok. Building started 14 June 1897 but officially was she laid down at the Baltic Works at St. Petersburg, Russia a year later on 7 May, launched 8 May 1899 and in November of the same year commissioned, in 1911 considerable rebuilt was she finally sold to be broken up on 1 July 1922. Underway to her final destination in Germany was she grounded near Liepaja and there broken up.

With a displacement of 12,455 long tons or 12,655 tons were her dimensions 481 x 68’6” x 26. The 3 vertical triple expansion engines joined by 32 Belleville water tube boilers supplied 14,500 ihp allowing a speed of 19 knots. With a cruising speed of 10 knots was her range 8,100 nautical miles. Her crew numbered 1874 men. The original armament consisted of 4x1-203mm guns, 16x1-152mm guns, 24x1-74mm guns, 12x1-47mm guns, 18x1-37mm guns and 4x1-381mm forward placed torpedo tubes. After being fitted out in the First World War as a minelayer she could carry with her 200 mines. In the same period was her armament also altered just as happened in 1911. The armour consisted of a 6” thick belt, a 1.5-3’ thick deck while the conning tower was protected by 12”. In 1911 was the armour intensive modified.