An
item reported that the Russian minister of navy vice admiral Birilef revealed
in the Nowoje Wremja his opinion about founding a new Russian fleet.(1) She was
to be restored as soon as possible and not to consist just of submarines and
mine laying ships. Despite these kinds of vessels were of importance and value
needed Russia
also heavier ships. If not she would become a minor naval power. Lacking orders
for building heavier ships would frustrate the Russian shipbuilding industry
and Russia
would become too much depending on yards abroad. His advice was to laid
immediately the keels for two battleships of an improved Dreadnought-design.
With a displacement of 21.800 tons were their turbines to make a minimum speed
of 21 knots possible. The minimum calibre for their guns was to be 10 inch. Building costs
each 27.795.000 Dutch guilders. Both ships were not earlier completed as within
a year.
Note
1. In the war with
Japan
(8 February 1904-5 September 1905) suffered the Russian Imperial Navy heavy
losses.
