Dutch naval experts accompanied by Popov visiting Russian ironclads at St. Petersburg according to the Dutch newspaper De standard dated 26 February 1876

General Admiral

Petr Velikyy

An item reported that the Dutch naval experts captain lieutenant Jhr. H.O. Wichers (1) he office of material of the department of Navy and B.J. Tideman (2) chioff engineer and advisor for shipbuilding of the same department were sent Russia to investigate the building there of armoured ships. On 26th January they visited the harbour of Kronstadt where they accompanied by the Russian admiral Popou (3) visited the armoured ship Peter de Groote (4) and the armoured frigate Groot Admiraal (5). In the summer they intended to visit the Black Sea for the same purpose.

Notes
1. Hendrikus Octavius Wichers (5 May 1831 Winschoten, Netherlands-23 January 1889 Amsterdam, Netherlands), naval officer and office appointments, member of the Parliament and even minister of marine 1877-1879 and temporarily of colonies.
2. Bruno Johannes Tideman 97 August 1834 Amsterdam, Netehrlands-11 February 1883 Amsterdam, Netherlands), the most important Dutch naval engineer of his time and who was the driving force after the founding of the shipyard Kon.Mij. De Schelde at Vlissingen, Netherlands situated in the area of the former navy yard.
3. Andrei Alexandrovich Popov (21 September Russia-6 March 1898 Russia), naval designer and officer.
4. Turret ship Petr Velikyy, designed by Popov, laid down at the shipyard Galernii Island, St. Petersburg, Russia on 1 June 1869, launched on 27 August 1872, trial under steam on 1 October 1874, commissioned on 14 October 1876 and broken up in 1922. With a displacement of 9.820 tons and as dimensions 98,40 (between perpendiculars)-101,56 (over all0 x 19,25 (waterline) x 6,94 (fore)-7,54 (aft) x 7,73 (hold) metres. The main armament consisted of 4-30,5cm/12” guns
5. The armoured cruiser General Admiral designed by Popov. Laid down at the shipyard at St. Petersburg, Russia on 27 November 1870, launched on 8 October 1873 and finally stricken in 1938.
With a displacement of 4.650 tons and as dimensions 85,75 (between perpendiculars)-87,00 (over all) x 14,62 (waterline) x 5,80 (fore)-7,02 9aft) x 6,76 (hold) metres. Iron hull planked with wood. The armament consisted of 4-20,3cm/8” guns and 2-15,2 cm/6” guns.