Retzivan
Varyag
An item referred to the naval correspondent of the British newspaper
Times who wrote that Russia intended to built 3-1st class battleships of which the keels were to be lad down in the coming summer at St. Petersburg, Russia. As soon as the first of these battleships were launched, were another 3 to be laid down. Further more was the navy to be increased with a battleship (1) and a cruiser (2) built by William Cramp&Sons, Philadelphia, USA and 15-20 destroyers. The intention of the main part of the destroyers was also to be built in the USA although regarded the war (3) were these ships presumably to be built by British shipyards.
Notes
1. The Retvizan of which the building was ordered on 2 May 1898, laid down with yard number 300 on 29 July 1899, launched on 23 October 1900, commissioned on 23 March 1902 and which became later the Japanese Hizen.
2. The Varyag, laid down in October 1898, launched on 31 October 1899, commissioned on 2 January 1901 and between 1907-1916 serving in the Japanese navy as the Soya when she was returned to Russia.
3. Spanish-American War 21 April 1898-13 August 1898.
