Basileos Giorgios
In the eighties of the 19th century were several books published regarding the major navies of the world. The information they supplied differs, for instance dealing with the navy of Greece. As principal publication I used that of Very, comparing it with another book from the same period and a standard (research) book published in the 20thy century.
A wood built broadside frigate or armoured corvette called Olga with a displacement of 2.060 tons, thickness of the armour 4½-5” (the latter according to Von Kronenfels waterline), speed 10 knots and with a main armament of 2-9”guns and 10-7” Armstrong guns. Launched in 1869 at the San Rocco yard of the Stabilimento Technico Triestino at Muggia/Triest. Horsepower 350 nhp. Conway called her the Basilissa Olga as being a broadside battery ship, later armed with 6-6’7” guns and 4-1pdrs. Her crew numbered 258 men. Her dimensions were 249’4” (between perpendiculars) x 39 x 19’(mean), a displacement of 2030 tons and 1950 ihp with a maximum coal bunker capacity of 240 tons. Thickness of armour was belt 6” and the battery 4¾”.
A casemate gunboat Georgius with a displacement of 1.800 tons (1774 tons according to Von Kronenfels and Conway’s), thickness of the armour 7”, speed 13 knots, and with a main armament of 2-9”guns. Launched 28 December 1867 at the Thames Iron Works, London, England. Designed by Mackrow. Dimensions 61 (between perpendiculars) x 10.06 (waterline) x 4,70 (hold) x 4,70m (medium draught). Iron-built with frames, horizontal belts and double bottom. The space between the inner and outer hull was just large enough to allow some parts to be filled with water if needed. Conway’s called her the Basileos Georgios as being a small central battery ship with a complete armour belt of 6-7” and for the battery 6”. Her crew numbered 152 men. Dimensions 60.96 (between perpendiculars) x 10.06 x 4.88m (in feet 220 x 33 x 16).
The screw corvette Hellas. According to Conway’s a wood-built sloop, launched at Northfleet, England in 1861 with a displacement of 1628 tons and a length between the perpendiculars of 1628 tons, with 700 ihp and a speed of around 8 knots. Fitted out with 12-5’9” guns and 4 of a smaller calibre.
Very didn’t mentioned the Mialis (as called by Von Kronenfels) or Nauarchos Miaoulis (by Conway’s). Recording to the latter this was being a barque-rigged cruiser, sheathed and coppered and iron-built. Launched at Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranee, La Seyne, France in 1879, displacement 1820 tons and dimensions 246’1” (between perpendiculars) x 36’1” x 14’5”, maximum coal bunker capacity 220 tons, 2400 ihp and a speed of 13,5 knots, Her crew numbered 180 men and she was armed with 4-6.7” guns, 6-1pdrs and 3-14”torpedo tubes. Von Kronenfels called her an unarmoured corvette, draught fore 3,40m, aft 5,50m and a displacement of 1800 tons. Trial speed 15,6 knots.
Further more 1 screw steam gunboat, 5 yachts (old blockade runners) and 7 pinnaces and small gunboats.
There was in 1880 a separate Minister of Marine appointed with an admiral is responsible for the main supervision as being the inspector general of the fleet. There are 571 officers and 581 men available. Budget of the navy in the years 1875-1879 in dollars, respectively 360.070; 391.978; 422.941; 426.941 and 749.731.
Sources
Conway’s All the world’s fighting ships 1860-1905. London, 1979.
J.F. von Kronenfels. Das schimmende flottenmaterial der Seemächte. Leipzig, 1881, p. 360-364.
Lieutenant Edward W. Very. Navies of the World. New York, 1880, p. 82 and 433-434.
