Where the cruiser Varangian was sunk. The tangled history of the cruiser "Varyag"

Battle at Chemulpo

Opponents

Side force commanders

Side forces

The last battle of the cruiser "Varyag"- took place at the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, near the city of Chemulpo in Korea between the Russian cruiser "Varyag", the gunboat "Koreets" under the overall command of Captain 1st Rank Vsevolod Rudnev and the Japanese squadron of Rear Admiral Sotokichi Uriu. During the battle, the Varyag received a number of damages and, together with the Koreyets, returned to the port, where the Russian ships were subsequently destroyed by their teams, who switched to neutral ships.

The position of forces before the battle

Chemulpo, view of the bay

coast map

Chemulpo (the obsolete name of the city of Incheon) is a strategically important port in Korea; warships of the leading world powers were constantly located here. The political situation in Korea was extremely unstable, and the military presence was a necessary condition for different states to defend their interests in the region. In preparation for the war with Russia, the Japanese command developed several options for attack plans. All of them assumed the capture of Korea, as a springboard for a further offensive. Under pressure from the ground forces, the Japanese landing was to take place in Chemulpo Bay, as the most convenient and closest harbor to Seoul.

Preparing for war

Japan in a future war relied on the surprise and speed of deployment of troops. Japanese troops were stationed in Korea both openly (security forces based on international agreements) and covertly, living under the guise of civilians. They prepared the infrastructure for the future landing operation in advance, built food warehouses, communication points and barracks, and unloaded coal, boxes and bales with various cargoes from transport ships arriving at the port. All this was done with the tacit consent of the Korean authorities, who believed that all these were peaceful concerns of local Japanese residents, of whom there were more than 4,500 people in Chemulpo.

Cap. 1 p. Rudnev reported to Port Arthur about the arrangement by the Japanese of food warehouses in Chemulpo and Seoul. According to reports, the total amount of all Japanese provisions already reached 1,000,000 pounds, and 100 boxes of cartridges were delivered. At the same time, scows, tugboats and steam boats were openly delivered to Chemulpo by the Japanese, which, as the commander of the cr. "Varyag" clearly indicated extensive preparations for landing operations. Along the Seoul-Fuzan railway, the Japanese placed officer stages connected by separate telegraph and telephone lines to a common telegraph line. All these preparations clearly pointed to the inevitable occupation of Korea by the Japanese.

In January, Japan completed training on the formation of the landing corps, transport ships, landing craft and logistics. The Japanese fleet has trained the ships assigned to participate in the operation. That did not go unnoticed for Russia.

But no action was taken by the Russian command. The underestimation and neglect of intelligence data had a serious impact on the course of hostilities at the beginning of the war. On the contrary, in order not to provoke the Japanese, St. Petersburg forbade the command and commanders of the ships any manifestation of the initiative.

On February 7, ships carrying the Japanese Expeditionary Force lay adrift off the coast of Korea in Asanman Bay. Having received fresh intelligence, Rear Admiral Uriu adjusted the landing plans.

The incident with the "Korean"

On January 26, the gunboat Koreyets, having received the mail, weighed anchor, but at the exit from the raid she was blocked by the squadron of Rear Admiral S. Uriu, consisting of the armored cruisers Asama and Chiyoda, the cruisers Naniwa, Takachiho, Niitaka and Akashi, as well as three transports and four destroyers. The destroyers attacked the gunboat with two (according to another version, three) torpedoes, but unsuccessfully. Not having an order to open fire and not knowing about the start of hostilities, the commander of the "Korean" Captain 2nd Rank G.P. Belyaev ordered to turn back.

Our detachment, like a giant snake, crawled along the fairway to Incheon, and when half of its body had already rounded Hachibito, the “Korean” appeared to meet us. We were supposed to maintain a peaceful look until the end of the landing of troops, but when we saw the enemy, the thought flashed through everyone - “but shouldn’t we capture him here, next to the island, since nothing will be visible from Incheon?” But we continued to move, and a few minutes later a small skirmish ensued between the "Korean" and two of the four destroyers. Uriu, of course, was somewhat disturbed by this, but at the same time, being on the bridge and watching the skirmish, he remarked with feigned indifference: "I see no point in this."

During the trial, Commander Takachiho denied a mine attack on the Russian boat, and the actions of the destroyers, according to him, were dictated by the protection of transports from the attack of the Korean. As a result, the incident was presented as a misunderstanding. All night the Japanese landed troops. And in the morning, Russian sailors learned that the war between Russia and Japan had begun.

Ultimatum

Rear Admiral Uriu sent messages to the commanders of the warships of neutral countries located in Chemulpo (the English cruiser Talbot, the French Pascal, the Italian Elba and the American gunboat Vicksburg) with a request to leave the raid in connection with possible actions against the Varyag and the Korean. After a meeting on the English cruiser, the station commanders agreed to leave the harbor if the Russian ships did not leave it.

At the meeting of the commanders, various combinations were discussed, then, in a secret meeting from me, they decided: if I stay on the roadstead, they will leave, leaving me with the Korean and the Sungari steamer. Together with this, they decided to send a protest to the admiral against the attack on the raid. When asked by the commanders about my opinion, I replied that I would make an attempt to break through and accept the battle with the squadron, no matter how large it was, but I would never give up, and also fight on a neutral raid

VF Rudnev, who was the commander of a detachment of Russian ships, decided to go to sea and try to break through to Port Arthur with a fight. The officers of "Varyag" and "Korean" at the military councils unanimously supported this proposal.

Characteristics of the parties involved

Takachiho with flags at half-staff on the occasion of the death of Empress Mother Eisho, 1897

"Varyag" in 1901

"Korean" before the last battle, the masts were cut down to make it more difficult for the enemy to aim

Japan

On the Japanese side, the armored cruisers Asama and Chiyoda, armored cruisers Naniwa, Takachiho, Niitaka, Akashi and three destroyers of the 14th detachment (Hayabusa, Chidori and Manazuru) took part in the battle. The detachment was heterogeneous, in the ranks were both veterans of the Sino-Japanese war with extensive experience in combat operations, and unfired newcomers.

IJN Asama

After that, the Russian cruiser, unexpectedly for the Japanese, dropped the course and began to circulate to the right, turning to the opposite course (according to Russian data, the turn began at 12:15 / 12:50, according to Japanese - 10 minutes earlier). According to Rudnev's report, one of the Japanese shells broke the communication pipe with the drives to the steering gear, but the examination of the Varyag after raising the traces of hits in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe passage of the pipe and combat damage to the steering did not reveal. The turn of the cruiser was motivated by his commander's desire to temporarily get out of the enemy's sphere of fire, put out the fires and correct the steering.

During the passage of the traverse of Iodolmi Island, one shell broke the pipe in which all the steering gears pass, and at the same time, fragments of another shell (exploded at the foremast), which flew into the passage at the conning tower, were shell-shocked in the head of the cruiser commander ... The control of the cruiser was immediately transferred to the manual steering wheel in the tiller compartment, since the steam pipe to the steering machine was also broken. With the thunder of shots, orders to the tiller compartment were hard to hear, cars had to be controlled, and the cruiser did not obey well, being, moreover, in a strong current. At 12 o'clock. 15 m., wanting to get out of the sphere of fire for a while to correct, if possible, the steering drive and extinguish the fires that arose in different places, they began to turn around with cars and, since the cruiser did not obey the helm well and, due to the proximity of the island of Iodolmi, reversed (the cruiser was put in disadvantageous position relative to the island at the time when the steering gear was broken with the left rudder put). The distance to the enemy decreased, his fire intensified and the hit increased; At about this time, a large-caliber projectile pierced the port side under water, water gushed into a huge hole, and the third stoker began to quickly fill with water, the level of which approached the fireboxes. The stoker quartermasters Zhigarev and Zhuravlev closed up the coal pits, which filled with water.

According to Japanese data, in a short period from 12:05/12:40 to 12:06/12:41, the Varyag received a large number of hits - one 203-mm projectile between the bow bridge and the tube, and five to six 152-mm shells in the bow and central part of the ship. The last hit was recorded at 12:10/12:45 - a 203-mm shell exploded in the stern of the Russian cruiser.

A very fast current was observed in the battle area, which made it difficult to control the ship, and it was impossible to keep a constant course. ... At 12:35 at a distance of 6800 m, an 8-inch projectile hit the enemy in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe stern bridge, where a strong fire immediately broke out. At 12:41 at a distance of 6300 m, an 8-inch projectile hit between the bow bridge and the pipe, and 3-4 6-inch projectiles hit the central part of the Varyag's hull. At 12:45 an 8-inch shell hit the deck behind the aft bridge. There was a strong fire, the foremast topmast hung on the starboard side. The Varyag immediately turned, increased its speed and took cover behind the island of Phalmido in order to get out of the fire, and began to extinguish the fires. At this time, the "Korean" came out to the north of the island of Phalmido and continued to fire. At 13:06, the Varyag turned left, opened fire again, then changed course and began to retreat towards the anchorage. The Korean followed him. At that moment, I received a signal from the flagship - "Chase!"

Until 11:59/12:34, only Asama fired at the Varyag, then until 12:13/12:48, all Japanese cruisers fired at varying intensity. After that, Asama and Niitaka fired until the end of the battle. According to Rudnev’s report, during the circulation period, the Varyag experienced difficulties in managing, as a result of which, in order to prevent a collision with the island of Yodolmi (Pkhalmido), it was necessary to reverse for a short time, some sources claim that the Varyag still ran aground, but got off it in reverse.

At 12:13/12:48, the Varyag completed its circulation and, together with the Korean, moved back to the anchorage, pursued by the Japanese cruisers Asama and Niitaka. At 12:40/13:15, due to the approach of Russian ships to the anchorage, which, if the battle continued, created a threat to neutral ships, the Japanese cruisers ceased fire and retreated. Five minutes later, due to the increased distance to the enemy, the Russian ships also completed firing, and at 13:00/13:35 they anchored in their parking lots.

Results of the battle

The Japanese cruisers fought in three battle groups: Asama and Chiyoda, Naniwa and Niitaka, Takachiho and Akashi. The destroyers were located 500-600 m from the non-shooting Naniwa side and did not actually take part in the battle. The battle was complicated by the narrowness of the fairway, which made it difficult for the Japanese to simultaneously bring all the ships into battle, a strong current that made it difficult to maintain the course, as well as the periodic hit of the Varyag on target with Phalmido Island, which forced individual Japanese ships to temporarily cease fire. During the battle, Japanese ships actively maneuvered, while developing a speed of up to 18 knots. The battle was fought at a distance of 4800 to 8000 m.

Asama, Chiyoda and Niitaka took the most active part in the battle. The rest of the Japanese cruisers fired an insignificant number of shells.

Consumption of shells of Japanese cruisers

	asama	Chiyoda	Niitaka	Naniwa	Takachiho	Akashi	Total
203 mm	27						27
152 mm	103		53	14	10	2	182
120 mm		71					71
76 mm	9		130				139

The consumption of shells in battle by Russian ships remains a subject of discussion. According to Rudnev's report, the Varyag fired 425 152-mm shells, 470 - 75-mm, 210 - 47-mm, that is, significantly more than all Japanese ships combined. However, the calculation of the shells remaining on it, made by the Japanese after the cruiser was lifted, does not confirm this information and gives significantly lower figures for the consumption of ammunition by the Varyag in battle. According to the calculation, the cruiser fired no more than 160 shells of 152 mm caliber and about 50 of 75 mm caliber. The consumption of shells by the "Korean", according to the report of his commander, was: 203 mm - 22, 152 mm - 27, 107 mm - 3.

During the battle on Japanese ships, shells hit the Varyag: 203 mm from Asama - 3, 152 mm - 6 or 7 (4-5 from Asama and one each from Naniwa and Takachiho). Chiyoda also reported one alleged hit on the Koreets, which caused a fire, which is not confirmed by Russian data.

In the Varyag logbook and Rudnev's reports, a number of hits were recorded, including one in the underwater part of the ship, which caused the flooding of some of the coal pits and a noticeable roll of the ship to the port side. Two hits were noted in the stern of the cruiser, which caused fires, and in one case, artillery powder charges, the deck and the whaleboat burned, and in the second, officer cabins were destroyed and flour was set on fire in the provision department (this fire was never completely extinguished). Other hits destroyed the rangefinder station No. 2, damaged the main top and chimney No. 3, and knocked out a number of guns. The explosion of one of the shells, the fragments of which flew into the conning tower, shell-shocked the cruiser commander, killed and wounded several more people. An inspection after the battle revealed damage to five 152-mm, seven 75-mm and all 47-mm guns.

From the Varyag team, 1 officer and 22 lower ranks died directly during the battle (after the battle, 10 more people died within a few days). In a short battle, the cruiser lost about a quarter of the entire crew killed and wounded, the exact number of wounded remains debatable, since various figures appear in the sources. The cruiser's watch log indicates that one officer and 26 lower ranks were seriously wounded, "wounded less seriously" - the cruiser commander, two officers and 55 lower ranks, all the wounded are listed by name. Rudnev’s report to the head of the Naval Ministry indicated that one officer and 85 lower ranks were seriously and moderately injured, two officers and more than a hundred lower ranks received minor injuries, the report to the governor Rudnev gives other figures - one officer and 70 lower ranks were seriously injured, easily - two officers, as well as many lower ranks, received minor wounds from shell fragments. The official sanitary report on the results of the Russo-Japanese War gives a figure of 97 wounded, and finally, according to the historical journal HMS Talbot, a total of 68 wounded were taken to neutral ships (four officers and 64 lower ranks), several of whom subsequently died. The gunboat "Koreets" had no losses in the crew, and the damage was limited to one fragmentation hole in the ram compartment.

Scheme of damage to the "Varyag" (from the report of Rear Admiral Arai Yukan)

During the rise of the Varyag, the Japanese studied the cruiser and described in detail the damage found. In total, traces of 9 combat damages were found in the hull and superstructures (masts and pipes were dismantled during lifting), as well as one damage that occurred after the ship was sunk:

1. A hole measuring 0.6 × 0.15 m on the front bridge on the starboard side and next to it are several small holes
2. A hole measuring 3.96 × 1.21 m and next to it 10 small holes on the deck on the starboard side in the area of ​​​​the forward bridge
3. A hole measuring 0.75 × 0.6 m and next to it three small holes in the bulwark on the starboard side, between the first and second chimneys
4. A hole measuring 1.97 × 1.01 m in the port side at the waterline (the lower edge of the hole went 0.8 m below the waterline), between the second and third chimneys
5. An underwater hole measuring 1.99 × 0.15 m in the port side, behind the fourth chimney, resulting from the pushing of the side by stones after the ship was flooded
6. 12 small holes in the central part of the upper deck, near the mainmast
7. A hole measuring 0.72 × 0.6 m in the port side, 1.62 m above the waterline, under the 152-mm gun No. 10
8. A very large (3.96 × 6.4 m in size) hole on the upper deck on the port side, in the area of ​​​​152-mm guns No. 11 and 12, there was also a big fire
9. Six small holes on the starboard side at the aft end behind the 152 mm guns
10. Hole measuring 0.75 × 0.67 m on the upper deck at the aft end

Taking into account the hits on the dismantled structures, A. Polutov comes to the conclusion that there were 11 hits on the Varyag. According to V. Kataev, damage No. 5 arose as a result of the cruiser landing on stones near Phalmido Island, and damages No. 8, 9 and 10 are not of a combat nature and are the result of a fire and an explosion of ammunition that occurred in Chemulpo on a ship abandoned after the evacuation of the crew.

As a result of the survey of the ship by the Japanese, it was also found that 1⁄6 of the ship was damaged by fires, the deck in the stern was especially damaged. The power plant and mechanisms of the propeller-steering group did not have any combat damage and were in good condition. All 152-mm guns, as well as at least six 75-mm and two 47-mm Varyag guns, were recognized by the Japanese as fit for use after examination.

According to Russian sources (reports of Rudnev and Belyaev, logbooks of the ships), there was a hit in the stern bridge of Asama with a fire and the sinking of one of the destroyers. According to information received by Rudnev from various sources (including rumors), the cruiser Takachiho sank after the battle when crossing to Sasebo, the cruisers Asama and Naniwa were docked to repair damage, the Japanese brought 30 dead to the shore. However, Japanese historical and archival sources claim that there were no hits on the ships of the Japanese squadron, as well as any damage and losses. At present, the fate of the ships of the Japanese fleet is well known; in particular, the Takachiho cruiser was lost already during the First World War during the siege of Qingdao, the destroyers of the 9th and 14th detachments were excluded from the lists of the fleet in 1919-1923 and scrapped.

The shooting of Russian ships was assessed by Uriu as "erratic" and having "extremely low accuracy." The inefficiency of the firing of Russian ships is explained by the poor training of the gunners (for example, during training firing at the shield on December 16, 1903, out of 145 shells fired by the Varyag, only three hit the target), errors in determining the distance to enemy ships (including those associated with the failure in the battle of rangefinder stations), the destruction of the fire control system.

Destruction of Russian ships

The explosion of the gunboat "Korean"

"Varyag" after flooding, at low tide

After anchoring, the officers and crew of the Varyag proceeded to inspect the ship and repair the damage. At 13:35, Rudnev went to the Talbot, where he announced to his commander his intention to destroy the Varyag and transport the team to neutral ships. Having received Bailey's consent, Rudnev returned to the cruiser at 13:50 and informed the officers of his decision, who supported the commander at the general council (it should be noted that the decision of the officers was not unanimous, in particular, the senior officer of the Varyag V. Stepanov was not invited on advice, and Rudnev's order to leave the ship came as a complete surprise to him).

I voted for a breakthrough from Chemulpo to the sea, and this opinion was supported by all the officers who were in the wheelhouse. Damage to the steering gear, apparently, forced to change the proposed plan, and the commander, I believe, to correct the damage, went to the raid in order to get out of the enemy’s sphere of fire. The captain of the 1st rank V. F. Rudnev, after the battle with the Japanese to anchor the cruiser on the Chemulpo roadstead, having informed all the damage received by the cruiser during the battle, went on a French boat with the commander of the Talbot cruiser, Captain Belly, as a senior on the roadstead. Upon returning from the cruiser Talbot, the commander made known his decision to sink the cruiser and transport people to foreign ships in the roadstead. Prior to the trip to the cruiser Talbot, the commander of the council did not collect and did not express a definite decision. I cannot say how and in what form Captain 1st Rank VF Rudnev announced the decision to the officers. I was not invited to the council. From the moment the cruiser left the enemy's sphere of fire, he was busy with orders for the manufacture of the ship for a new meeting with the enemy. I did not expect at all that we should leave our cruiser.

Boats from foreign ships with doctors began to arrive at the Varyag, who began to transport first the wounded, and then the rest of the ship's crew, to the English, French and Italian cruisers. The commander of the American gunboat, having no instructions from the leadership, refused to accept Russian sailors, in connection with which Rudnev sent her boat with a doctor. By 15:50, the transportation of the cruiser's crew was completed, at the request of the commanders of foreign ships, who feared damage to their ships in the explosion (which took place according to Rudnev's report), it was decided to limit the flooding of the Varyag by opening valves and kingstons, while no measures were taken to to bring weapons and equipment of the cruiser into disrepair. The team took a minimum of things, the bodies of the dead were not evacuated and were left on the ship. At 18:10, the Varyag, having a continuing fire at the stern, capsized on the port side and lay down on the ground.

At 15:30, the commander of the "Korean" gathered the officers, informed them of Rudnev's decision and offered to discuss the fate of the gunboat. All officers, starting with the youngest, spoke about the senselessness of a new battle due to the overwhelming superiority of the enemy and the impossibility of inflicting any damage on him. In this regard, it was decided to blow up the "Korean" and bring the team to neutral ships. Due to the haste of the evacuation, the team did not take things, and secret documents were burned in the presence of a special commission. The last boat left the boat at 15:51, and at 16:05 the gunboat was blown up and sank. At the same time, the ship "Sungari" was set on fire, after a while it landed on the ground.

The fate of the teams

Officers and crews of Russian ships were placed on the French cruiser Pascal (216 people), the English cruiser Talbot (273 people) and the Italian cruiser Elba (176 people). Given the high overcrowding and the lack of conditions for caring for the wounded (of which 8 people soon died), it was decided to bring 24 seriously wounded ashore to the Japanese Red Cross hospital. At the same time, negotiations were underway through diplomatic channels on the status of Russian sailors, the Japanese agreed to return them to their homeland, provided they gave an obligation to no longer participate in the war, which required the highest permission.

On February 27, Nicholas II gave his consent to the conditions of the Japanese, but the export of the crews of Russian ships began earlier, under the obligations of foreign governments. On February 16, Pascal left for Shanghai and then for Saigon, where he landed Russian sailors. The English and Italian cruisers left for Hong Kong, where the teams of Russian ships on Talbot were transported via Colombo to Odessa (where they arrived on April 1), and sailors from Elba to Saigon. On April 23, sailors arrived in Sevastopol from Saigon via Crete and Odessa. After a solemn meeting in St. Petersburg, the ship teams were disbanded and distributed to different fleets, except for the Pacific (in accordance with an agreement with the Japanese on the non-participation of teams in hostilities).

The remains of the dead sailors were transferred to Vladivostok in 1911 and buried in a mass grave at the city's Marine Cemetery. Above the grave there is an obelisk made of gray granite.

"Varyag", raised by the Japanese from the bottom of the bay

The Japanese army was given the opportunity for strategic deployment in the north of the Korean Peninsula, and not in the south, as previously determined. The swift occupation of Seoul was important both militarily and politically. On February 12, the Russian envoy left Seoul, thereby losing the last opportunity for Russia to influence the policy of the Korean imperial court and government.

The landing of the 12th Division, dubbed the "Operation to Pacify Korea", in two weeks brought Japan what it had long and unsuccessfully sought in the course of diplomatic negotiations with Russia - complete control of Korea. On February 23, 1904, a Japanese-Korean agreement was signed in Seoul, which established a Japanese protectorate over Korea, which allowed Japan to operate freely throughout Korea during the war with Russia, use its ports, land communications, administrative, human and material resources.

In 1905, the Varyag was raised by the Japanese, repaired and commissioned on August 22 as a 2nd class cruiser IJN Soya (in honor of the Japanese name for the La Perouse Strait). For more than seven years it was used by the Japanese for training purposes. It is widely believed that, as a sign of respect for the Russian sailors, the Japanese left the old name of the ship on the stern. However, according to the testimony of the former sailor "Varyag" Snegirev, who served as a helmsman in World War I and met his former cruiser in a Japanese port, the Russian state emblem - a double-headed eagle - and the name "Varyag" were forced by the Japanese, since they were structurally embedded in the aft balcony . The Japanese hieroglyphs of the new name were fixed on the lattice of the balcony.

Assessment by contemporaries

The actions of the Japanese side in modern sources are assessed as competent and professional. They made it possible to fulfill all the assigned tasks - to ensure the landing of troops and neutralize Russian ships without incurring losses. It is noted that the victory was achieved by the Japanese primarily due to the overwhelming superiority in forces and features of the battle area, which deprived the Russian ships of freedom of maneuver. The decision to engage Russian ships in battle against vastly superior enemy forces is assessed as heroic, including by the Japanese side.

The reaction to the death of the Varyag was not unambiguous. Part of the naval officers did not approve of the actions of the Varyag commander, considering them illiterate both from a tactical point of view and from a technical one. At the same time, it is noted that the provisions of the "Naval Charter" did not leave Rudnev any other option than accepting a battle - surrendering the ship to the Japanese or sinking it without a fight would qualify as an official crime. According to a number of authors (in particular, V.D. Dotsenko, as well as Major General A.I. Sorokin), the commander of the Varyag made a number of serious mistakes:

• was not used to break through the night before the battle;
• going for a breakthrough, the "Varyag" tied himself to the slow-moving "Korean", not using his advantage in speed (this mistake was also noted by the naval historian and theorist V. A. Belli);
• after the battle, the Varyag was not blown up, but flooded in shallow water, which allowed the Japanese to raise it and put it into operation.

Rudnev's decision to return to Chemulpo instead of continuing the battle is criticized, as well as the inefficient use of artillery by Russian ships, as a result of which the Japanese ships did not suffer any damage.

Given the unsuccessful start of the war, the tsarist government decided to widely use the battle for propaganda purposes, which came as a surprise to some participants in the battle (according to the memoirs of the Varyag navigator E. Berens, returning to Russia, they believed that they would be put on trial).

Solemn meetings of the participants in the battle were arranged in Odessa, Sevastopol and St. Petersburg, and in the capital - with the participation of Emperor Nicholas II. Without exception, all participants in the battle were awarded - officers, as well as civilian ranks (including officials and doctors) of both ships received the Order of St. George of the 4th degree or other orders, the lower ranks received the insignia of the Military Order of the 4th degree. Two sailors received the insignia of the Military Order of the 3rd degree, since they already had the 4th degree award. Moreover, the officers of the "Korean" were even awarded twice - in addition to the Order of St. George, they also received regular orders with swords. All participants in the battle were awarded a specially established medal "For the battle of "Varangian" and "Korean"".

Such a massive awarding of high awards was an unprecedented event for the Russian fleet. Already in Soviet times, in 1954, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the battle, its surviving participants by that time were awarded medals "For Courage". It is noteworthy that for the first time doctors and mechanics were awarded the St. George Cross along with line officers. The unprecedented awarding of the highest military awards to all members of the crews of the ships was ambiguously received among the officers:

The St. George Cross ... gives great official advantages and is appointed only for outstanding military exploits, moreover, by the verdict of a thought composed of cavaliers of this order ... However, they also managed to discredit the George Cross. At the very beginning of the war, under the first impression of the "feat" of the "Varyag" and "Korean", all the officers, doctors and mechanics who were on them were awarded, by special order of the Highest, in addition to the thought, St. George's crosses. Such a massive award, in connection with the unheard-of honors rendered by the crews of these ships in Russia, made a very unfavorable impression on the army. It was clear to everyone that if some determination was required from the commander of the ship in order to meet the enemy, who was superior in strength, then from the other ranks, one presence on the ship (maybe involuntary) in itself did not constitute yet a merit worthy of being awarded the highest military order. . The dissatisfaction among the officers became even stronger when it later turned out that in general, in the indicated battle, the crew of the Varyag did not accomplish any feat, and there were almost no losses on the Koreyets ...

Image in art

As a result of the patriotic upsurge caused by the feat of Russian sailors, several works were born: the march "Varangian", written by A. Reiderman, the song "Varangian goes to accomplish his glorious feat", written by Caesar Cui, "Heroic feat" by A. Taskin, the poem " Varyag" by the Riga amateur poet Yakov Repninsky (which was subsequently set to music by a student of Yuryev University, Fyodor Bogoroditsky, resulting in the song "Cold Waves Splash"). But the most popular was the song "Varangian".

The author of the poems was the Austrian writer and poet Rudolf Greinz, who wrote about the life and traditional way of Tyrol. Often he collaborated with the Munich magazine "Jugend" (Jugend), where he published his satirical notes on the topic of the day. On the pages of the 10th issue of the magazine "Jugend" dated February 25, 1904, the poem "Der "Warjag"" was published. The magazine strictly adhered to the anti-militarist and anti-imperial position, which, shared by Greinz, that along with the fact that the poem is placed next to humorous and satirical materials, without any introductory word, according to some historians, indicates that the poem was originally a pamphlet in verse - " The text, decorated with expressive adjectives, was quite naturalistic in order, perhaps, to show the absurdity of the act of those who went to real death for the sake of some abstract ideas.

The poem was translated into Russian by N. K. Melnikov and Evgenia Mikhailovna Studenskaya (nee Shershevskaya), who published her translation in the April 1904 New Journal of Foreign Literature, Art and Science. According to one version, on the wave of patriotism that swept over the entire Russian society, the musician and pupil of the 12th Astrakhan Grenadier Regiment Alexei Sergeevich Turishchev wrote music for the translation of Studenskaya.

The song "Our proud Varyag does not surrender to the enemy", having sounded for the first time at the imperial reception on the occasion of the awarding of sailors from the Varyag and the Koreyets, became especially beloved among naval employees, however, among the civilian population there were also many of her fans.

In 1946, the Soviet film studio Soyuzdetfilm filmed the feature film Cruiser Varyag, where the "made-up" cruiser Aurora, directed by Viktor Eisymont, was filmed as the Varyag.

Cruiser "Varyag". - 2nd ed., Revised. and additional . - L.: Shipbuilding, 1983. - 288 p.

Dotsenko V.D. Myths and legends of the Russian fleet. Ed. 3rd, rev. and additional. - St. Petersburg: Polygon, 2002. - 352 p. -

"Varangian"

Historical data

general information

EU

real

dock

Booking

Armament

Ships of the same type

"Varangian"- Russian armored cruiser of the 1st rank, built in the USA on an individual project and was part of the Russian Imperial Navy. He became famous throughout the world for his decision, in response to a proposal to surrender, to take an unequal battle at Chemulpo against the superior forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy. In connection with the revolutionary events in Russia in October 1917, the Varyag was captured by the British and sold for scrap in 1920.

History of creation

Prerequisites for creation

In 1895 and 1896 In Japan, two shipbuilding programs were adopted, according to which by 1905 it was planned to build a fleet that would surpass the Russian naval forces in the Far East. The militarization of Japan did not go unnoticed. Russia was implementing its own shipbuilding program to strengthen the navy, but it was clearly inferior to the growth rate of the Japanese fleet. Therefore, in 1897, an additional program "For the needs of the Far East" was developed, which included, in addition to other ships, the construction of an armored cruiser of the 1st rank "Varyag".

Design

Due to the absence of a detailed design of the ship at the time of signing the contract, the supervisory commission that left for the shipyard from Russia, headed by Captain 1st Rank M.A. Danilevsky, in addition to monitoring the progress of construction, also coordinated emerging issues on the future appearance of the ship in the process of its construction.

As a prototype for the construction of the Varyag, the management of the shipyard proposed to take the Japanese armored cruiser of the Kasagi type (jap. 笠置 ), but the Marine Technical Committee insisted on a Diana-class cruiser. At the same time, the contract provided for the installation on the ship, albeit heavier, but well-proven in the Russian fleet for their reliability, Belleville boilers. Contrary to the requirements of the customer of the ship, at the direction of Admiral General and Head of the Main Directorate of Shipbuilding and Supply V.P. Verkhovsky, preference was given to the option with ingenious in idea, but not tested in practice, Nikloss boilers.

Construction and testing

Due to the workload of domestic factories, the Varyag was ordered in the USA in Philadelphia at the shipyard of The William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company. The contract was signed on April 11, 1898.

During construction, significant changes were made to the project, dictated by the initially signed contract with vague wording about the parameters of the ship. For example, the conning tower was enlarged in size, in addition, it was raised to improve visibility. The height of the side keels of the cruiser was increased from 0.45 to 0.61 m. Auxiliary mechanisms were provided with electric motors, and gun shields were not installed due to the fear of overloading the ship.

Equipment for the construction and equipping of the ship for the most part came from firms located in the United States. At the same time, the main caliber guns were supplied from Obukhovsky, and torpedo tubes from the Metal Plant of St. Petersburg. Anchors, anchor chains and anti-torpedo nets were ordered in England.

On January 11, 1899, the cruiser was included in the lists of the fleet under the name "Varyag" in honor of the corvette of the same name, sent during the Civil War in the USA 1861-1865. aid to President Lincoln's government.

October 19, 1899 the ship was launched. The construction of the ship was carried out at a rapid pace, but the strikes of workers and the constant approval of the ship's project did not allow the shipbuilders to meet the deadlines allotted by the contract. Due to objective reasons for the delay in the construction of the ship, no penalties were imposed by the Russian government.

On September 22, 1900, the cruiser was handed over to the customer in excess of the main characteristics laid down in the contract. At the same time, up to
before the departure of the cruiser in March 1901 to Russia, the elimination of minor flaws continued, mainly related to imperfections
dynamos (electric generators) and boat mechanisms.

Cross section drawing

Booking scheme

Boiler diagram of the Nikloss system

The appearance of the ship upon completion of construction

Design description

Frame

The cruiser's hull was made with a forecastle, which improved its seaworthiness in stormy seas. The basis of the hull was the keel, enclosed between the stems. The foundations of 30 steam boilers of the Nikloss system were installed on the deck of the ship's second bottom. The height of the ship's hull was 10.46 m. ​​Along the sides, above and below the bevels in the area of ​​the engine and boiler rooms, there were coal pits. In addition to their direct purpose, they also performed protective functions, forming a parapet around the vital mechanisms and systems of the ship. In the bow and stern ends of the ship there were cellars with ammunition, brought together in two compact groups of nine rooms, which simplified their protection from enemy damage.

Booking

All vital mechanisms, machines, boilers and cellars were covered with an armored carapace deck. The total thickness of the horizontal armored deck was 38 mm. The deck bevels descended to the sides 1.1 m below the waterline, their thickness was 76 mm. The spread of water from the side compartments, upon receipt of a hole, was delayed by limiting longitudinal bulkheads, spaced from the side by 1.62 m in the engine rooms and 2.13 m in the boiler rooms.

On the bevels of the armored deck along the side, compartments were shielded - cofferdams, intended according to the project to be filled with cellulose, which was later decided to be abandoned due to its fragility. Thus, the cruiser was surrounded by a kind of protective parapet 0.76 m thick and 2.28 m high, which prevented water from penetrating through holes at the waterline.

electrical equipment

The Varyag cruiser, in comparison with the ships of previous years of construction, had a relatively large percentage of equipment powered by electricity. DC electricity was generated by three steam dynamos. Each of them rotated two electric generators. Two steam dynamos with a capacity of 132 kW each were located in the bow and stern of the ship under the armored deck, one with a capacity of 66 kW was located on the living deck. In a special compartment there was a battery of 60 batteries for emergency power supply of running lights, loud bells and other needs.

Consumption of electricity on the ship.

Longitudinal diagram of the device of the ship

(*) - at a load factor of 0.5.

Drainage system

Aft view

Captain's saloon

Scheme (project) of the distribution of sectors of firing from guns

152-mm / 45 gun of the Kane "Varyag" system

View of the tank of the ship

The drainage system consisted of signaling means, drainage pumps and drives (electric motors). She ensured the pumping of incoming water from all the rooms under the armored deck of the ship. Water was removed from the boiler rooms with the help of centrifugal pumps placed on the double bottom flooring. As a drive for them, electric motors were used, installed on the armored deck and connected to the pumps by a long shaft. According to the specifications, each pump had to pump out water in the volume of the entire compartment in an hour. From the engine rooms, water was pumped out by two circulation pumps of the main refrigerators.

To extinguish fires, a fire main was laid under the armored deck. To connect fire hoses, the pipe had branches that stretched to all the cellars, boiler rooms and engine rooms. Fire alarm sensors (thermostats) were installed in the coal pits. The fires in the coal pits were extinguished by steam.

Steering

The steering of the cruiser, for the first time in the Russian fleet, had three types of drive: steam, electric and manual. The rudder blade was made in the form of a frame sheathed with sheet steel. The frame space was filled with wooden bars. Rudder area - 12 m2. The steering was carried out from the conning or wheelhouse. In the event of their failure, the control of the ship was transferred to the aft steering compartment, located under the armored deck.

Crew and Habitability

On the cruiser "Varyag", in accordance with the specification, the crew consisted of 21 officers, 9 conductors and 550 lower ranks. The crew's living quarters were located under the forecastle on the living deck, and aft on the armored deck. From the 72nd frame towards the stern were the cabins of the officers and command of the ship. The cabins of the officers were single. The quarters towards the stern were occupied by the commander. Adjacent to them was a wardroom. On the living deck there was an infirmary, a pharmacy, a galley, a bathhouse and a ship's church.

Armament

Initially, it was supposed to install on the ship: 2 x 203 mm; 10 x 152mm; 12 x 75mm; 6 x 47 mm guns and 6 torpedo tubes. But due to an overload of 30 tons, in the final version the cruiser received: 12 x 152/45 mm, 12 x 75/50 mm, 8 x 47/43 mm, 2 x 37/23 mm; 2 x 63.5/19 mm Baranovsky guns; 6 x 381 mm, 2 x 254 mm torpedo tubes and 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns, as well as barrage mines.

Main caliber

The cruiser's main battery artillery, represented by 152-mm / 45 guns of the Kane system, was combined into two batteries. The first included 6 guns located in the bow, the second - 6 stern guns. All onboard guns to increase the angles of fire were installed on sponsons protruding beyond the side line. The rate of fire of the guns reached 6 rounds per minute.

Auxiliary/anti-aircraft artillery

Small-caliber guns were still of great importance in the fight against destroyers. To increase their effectiveness and increase the angles of fire, two 47-mm Hotchkiss rapid-fire guns were installed on the Varyag's mars. Four more such guns were located on the upper deck, of which two, in addition to two 37-mm Hotchkiss guns and machine guns, were used to arm ship boats and boats.

Two 7.62 mm machine guns were mounted on special brackets located on the bulwarks near the conning tower. After the repair of the ship in 1916, it became possible to fire at aircraft from machine guns.

The ship had two 63.5-mm Baranovsky landing guns, located on the forecastle under the wings of the bow bridge. Wheel carriages were stored separately under the bow bridge behind the conning tower.

Mine and torpedo armament

Communications, detection, auxiliary equipment

A remote fire control system was introduced on the cruiser with the help of special indicators installed at the guns and in the cellars. Data on the firing parameters and the type of shells were set directly from the conning tower. Determining the distance to the target was carried out by three ranging stations, two of them were located on the Mars and one on the forward bridge.

The means of control, communications and surveillance on the cruiser were concentrated mainly on the stern and bow bridges. The conning tower of the cruiser was an oval armored breastwork, protected by 152-mm armor. To the upper end of the parapet of the cabin, forming viewing slots 305 mm high, a flat roof was fastened with brackets with overhangs bent down and protruding beyond the dimensions of the parapet. . The conning tower was connected to the armored deck by a vertical armored tube with a wall thickness of 76 mm, which led to the central post. The drives and cables of the ship's control instruments were hidden in this pipe.

Above was a transverse bridge, on which searchlights and tack lights were installed. The wheelhouse was located in the center of the bridge. There were five compasses on the cruiser. The two main ones were located on the roof of the undercarriage and on a special platform of the aft bridges.

For internal communication, in addition to voice pipes and messengers, a telephone network was organized, covering almost all the service premises of the ship. Telephone sets were installed in all cellars, in boiler rooms and engine rooms, in officers' cabins, in the conning and navigation cabins, at posts near the guns.

Launching

On the roads of Philadelphia, USA

Electrical signaling means (bells, indicators, fire alarm sensors, annunciators, etc.) were available in the cabins of command personnel, at combat posts and in the conning tower. In addition to warning calls, the cruiser retained a staff of drummers and buglers. To communicate with other ships, in addition to the radio station, the cruiser had a large staff of signalmen.

Overall evaluation of the project

The Diana-class cruisers, which entered service before the start of the Russo-Japanese War, were obsolete and no longer met modern requirements. "Diana", "Pallada" and "Aurora" were distinguished by good reliability of mechanisms, but in all respects they lost to modern armored cruisers of foreign construction.

"Varyag" and the armored cruiser "Askold", in fact, were experimental ships of the cruiser type with a displacement of 6000 tons. The "Varyag" was designed more thoughtfully and compactly than the ships of the "Diana" type. The forced placement of artillery at the extremities saved him from cramped cellars along the sides. The ship had good seaworthiness, boats and boats were very well located on it. The engine and boiler rooms were spacious, their equipment and ventilation system deserved the highest praise.

During the factory tests at maximum speed, "Varyag" showed outstanding results. So, on July 12, 1900, the Varyag developed a course of 24.59 knots. During 12-hour continuous tests, the Varyag showed an average result of 23.18 knots. On 24-hour trials, the Varyag traveled 240 miles at an economical speed of 10 knots, using 52.8 tons of coal (that is, 220 kg per mile).

But the actual cruising range of a ship always differs significantly from the calculated one obtained from the test results. So, during long-distance crossings, the Varyag at a speed of 10 knots spent 68 tons of coal per day, which corresponds to the longest cruising range of 4288 miles.

One of the shortcomings of the "Varyag" was the unreliability of the power plant. A significant part of the pre-war service in Port Arthur, the cruiser spent at the quay wall in endless repairs. The reason was both the careless assembly of the machines and the unreliability of the boilers of the Nikloss system.

Repair and modernization of the ship

1906 - 1907

View of the deck from the forward bridge

During the overhaul of the ship, raised from the bottom by the Japanese after it was sunk in the battle of Chemulpo, the appearance of the cruiser changed a lot. First of all, because of the new navigation bridges, chart house, chimneys and fans. Mars platforms were dismantled on the masts. The 75 mm Hotchkiss guns were replaced with 76 mm Armstrong guns. Mine net poles have been removed from the sides of the ship.

1916

The Russian admissions committee found the ship returned by Japan in poor technical condition. For example, the life of Nikloss boilers until the resource was completely exhausted was no more than 1.5 - 2 years. During repairs in Vladivostok, the bow 152/45-mm Kane guns, as well as two of the same guns on the poop, were moved to the diametrical plane on the cruiser. As a result, the number of guns in a side salvo increased to eight. On all open guns, shortened armor shields were installed. The gun guidance mechanisms have been repaired and the elevation angles have been increased from 15° to 18°. Dead moves of mechanisms are eliminated. Machine guns are adapted for firing at aircraft. During sea trials, with the use of 22 out of 30 boilers, the Varyag reached a speed of 16 knots.

Service History

Sea trials off the coast of the United States
1901

"Varangian" after the battle at Chemulpo
1904

Soya (jap. 宗谷 listen)) - Japanese educational
ship - 1905 - 1916

"Varyag" and battleship "Chesma" (formerly "Poltava") in Vladivostok - 1916

"Varangian" sitting on stones off the coast of Scotland - 1920

Before the Russo-Japanese War

March 20, 1901 - the cruiser "Varyag" with a Russian crew on board sailed from the USA to the shores of Russia. The transition to Kronstadt across the Atlantic took just over two months, and on May 3, having traveled 5083 miles, the ship arrived at its destination.

August 5, 1901 - the cruiser left Kronstadt and escorted the imperial yacht "Standard" with Nicholas II to Danzig, Kiel and Cherbourg.

September 16, 1901 - "Varyag" continued its march to the Far East, passing through the Suez Canal, entered the Persian Gulf, where he visited Kuwait with a diplomatic mission on board. After that, with a call to Singapore and Hong Kong, he arrived on February 25, 1902 in Port Arthur. During the crossing, short-term work on the repair of Nikloss boilers was repeatedly carried out in the parking lots. The created special commission came to the conclusion that the maximum speed of the Varyag for a short period of time should be considered 20 knots, and for a longer one - 16.

March-April 1902 - in Port Arthur in the armed reserve (exercises on the roadstead, without going to sea for tactics), all the time in which was devoted to the repair of ship mechanisms.

May-July 1902 - cruising in Talienwan Bay, off the coast of the Kwantung Peninsula and Thornton Island.

August-September 1902 - in Port Arthur (in the armed reserve), repair of boilers.

October 1902 - campaign in Chemulpo.

October 1902 - March 1903 - in Port Arthur

April 1903 - in Talienvan Bay.

May 1903 - in Chemulpo.

June-September 1903 - in Port Arthur (in the armed reserve), the departure of a number of officers and the transfer to the reserve of 30 experienced sailors, mainly from the engine room.

October 1903 - December 1903 - in Port Arthur, due to the weakness of the repair base, the speed of the Varyag was limited to 17 knots and briefly 20. For a full repair in Russia, parts for the power plant were ordered, which did not have time to arrive before loss of a ship in the battle near Chemulpo.

December 1903 - crossings between Chemulpo, Seoul and Port Arthur.

Russo-Japanese War

January 27, 1904 - the cruiser "Varyag" together with the gunboat "Koreets", refusing to accept the terms of the ultimatum of the Japanese command to surrender, took an unequal battle against the superior forces of the Japanese squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Uriu (2 armored cruisers "Asama" and Chiyoda, 4 armored cruisers Naniwa, Niitaka, Takachiho, Akashi; 8 destroyers). Having suffered significant damage in people during the battle and having received severe damage that did not allow the battle to continue, the Varyag returned to Chemulpo, where the team went ashore, and the ship was flooded.

According to the report of the Varyag commander, one destroyer was sunk by cruiser fire and the Asama cruiser was damaged, and the Takachiho cruiser sank after the battle; the enemy allegedly lost about 30 people killed. Official Japanese sources and archival documents do not confirm any hits on Japanese ships, nor the presence of any losses.

February 1904 - the Japanese began to raise the Varyag, but by October they had stopped unsuccessful attempts to pump water out of the ship's hull due to the large number of holes.

April 1905 - lifting work was resumed, a caisson was built over the cruiser and on August 8 the ship rose from the bottom.

November 1905 - the cruiser was towed to Yokosuka for overhaul, which lasted until 1907. The helm from the Varyag cruiser was removed and transferred to the flagship of the Japanese fleet, the battleship Mikasa. The Varyag was renamed Soya (jap. 宗谷 ) and enlisted as a training ship in the Imperial Japanese Navy.

World War I

Early 1916 - Japan, Russia's ally in World War I, agreed to sell some of the captured ships of the First Pacific Squadron. Among them was the cruiser Varyag, which had previously served as a training ship for Japanese cadets for nine years.

On June 18, 1916, the Varyag, now equipped with a guards crew, went to sea and on November 17, 1916 arrived in Murmansk.

November 30, 1916 - Enlisted in the Arctic Ocean Flotilla.
Due to the poor technical condition of the ship and the lack of full-fledged repair bases in the North, an agreement was reached with the British Admiralty on the repair of the Varyag.

March 19, 1917 - arrival in the British Birkenhead (Eng. Birkenhead) for docking for overhaul.

After the October Revolution of 1917 in Russia, on December 8, the ship was requisitioned by the British and sold in 1920 for scrapping. On the way to the place of dismantling, "Varyag" sat on the rocks in the Irish Sea, 500 meters from the Scottish coast, not far from the village of Lendalfoot (Eng. Lendalfoot). Site coordinates: 55° 11" 3" N; 4° 56" 30" W.L.

Until 1925, the hull of the Varyag cruiser stood at the crash site until it was blown up and cut into pieces so as not to interfere with navigation and fishing.

commanders

• March 1899 - March 1903 - Captain 1st Rank Vladimir Iosifovich Baer
• March 1903 - January 1904 - Captain 1st Rank Vsevolod Fedorovich Rudnev
• March 1916 - December 1917 - Captain II rank Karl Ioakimovich von Den

perpetuation of memory

The memory of the dead sailors is immortalized by a monument at the Marine Cemetery in Vladivostok.

Monuments to the commander of the cruiser VF Rudnev were erected in Tula, Novomoskovsk and the village of Savino, Zaoksky district, Tula region.

In the district center of Lyubino, Omsk region, a monument to the stoker "Varyag" F.E. Mikhailov was unveiled.

On February 10, 2004, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle, a memorial plaque and monument were unveiled in the South Korean port of Incheon.

The image of an event in art and culture

The songs “Our proud Varyag does not surrender to the enemy” and “Cold waves are splashing” are dedicated to the feat of the crews of the cruiser Varyag and the gunboat Koreets.

In 1946, the film "Cruiser Varyag" was filmed in the USSR.

In 1958 and 1972, postage stamps depicting the cruiser were issued in the USSR.

In 2003, an expedition led by VGTRK journalist Alexei Denisov managed to find the exact place where the cruiser sank in the Irish Sea and found its wreckage at the bottom. The story about this was included in the two-part documentary "Cruiser" Varyag "", timed to coincide with the centenary of the battle at Chemulpo.

Modeling

The Central Naval Museum in St. Petersburg has a model of the Varyag cruiser, made in the USA on a scale of 1:64 in 1901, as well as a model of the cruiser's main steam engine, made by S.I. Zhukhovitsky on a scale of 1:20 in the 1980s.

After the feat of the crew of the cruiser "Varyag", the German writer and poet Rudolf Greinz wrote a poem "Der "Warjag"" dedicated to this event. It was published in the tenth issue of the German Jugend magazine. In Russia, it was translated into Russian by Evgenia Studenskaya. Soon the musician of the 12th Astrakhan Grenadier Regiment Turishchev, who took part in the solemn meeting of the heroes of the Varyag and the Korean, set these verses to music. The song was first performed at a gala reception hosted by Emperor Nicholas II in honor of the officers and sailors of the Varyag and the Korean. The song became very popular in Russia.

Image gallery

Video

In the history of the Russo-Japanese war, the Varyag cruiser, which entered into an unequal battle with much superior enemy forces, entered its heroic page. His feat, as well as the feat of the "Korean" will forever remain in the hearts of people.

Russian sailors withstood an unequal battle with the Japanese, did not surrender to the enemy, sinking their ship and not lowering the flag. This legendary battle with six enemy cruisers and eight destroyers made an indelible impression not only in Russia, but also abroad. We will talk about the history of the Varyag cruiser today.

background

Considering the history of the cruiser "Varyag", it would be appropriate to refer to the events preceding it. The war between Russia and Japan (1904 - 1905) was fought between the two empires for control over the territories of Manchuria, Korea, and also over the Yellow Sea. After a long break, it became the first major military conflict in which such new weapons as long-range artillery, battleships and destroyers were used.

The issue of the Far East at that time was in the first place for Nicholas II. The main obstacle to Russian dominance in the region was Japan. Nicholas foresaw the inevitable clash with her and prepared for it both from the diplomatic side and from the military side.

But there was still hope in the government that Japan, fearful of Russia, would refrain from a direct attack. However, on the night of January 27, 1904, without declaring war, the Japanese fleet unexpectedly attacked the Russian squadron at Port Arthur. There was a naval base here, which Russia rented from China.

As a result, several of the strongest ships belonging to the Russian squadron went out of order, which ensured the landing of the Japanese military in Korea in February without any obstacles.

Attitude in society

The news that the war had begun left no one indifferent in Russia. At its first stage, the patriotic mood prevailed among the people, the awareness of the need to repulse the aggressor.

Unprecedented manifestations took place in the capital, as well as in other large cities. Even revolutionary-minded youth joined this movement, singing the hymn "God Save the Tsar!". Some circles of the opposition for the duration of the war decided to suspend their activities and not put forward demands to the government.

Before moving on to the story of the feat of the Varyag cruiser, let's talk about the history of its construction and characteristics.

Construction and testing

The ship was laid down in 1898 and built in the United States, in Philadelphia. In 1900, the Varyag armored cruiser was transferred to the Russian Navy, and since 1901 it has been in service. Ships of this type were common at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. The protection of their mechanisms, as well as gun magazines, was made up of an armored deck - flat or convex.

This deck was a covering of the ship's hull, located horizontally in the form of a flooring of armor plates. It was intended to protect against bombs, shells, debris and fragments falling from above. Ships such as the armored cruiser "Varyag" were the most numerous part of the cruising crew of most maritime powers at the turn of the century.

The base of the ship was Port Arthur. Although some researchers have claimed that it had poor boiler design and other construction defects that resulted in a significant reduction in speed, tests have shown otherwise. On tests conducted in 1903, the ship developed a high speed, almost equal to the speed of the initial tests. The boilers served well for many years on other ships.

State of War

In 1904, in early February, two ships from Russia arrived on a diplomatic mission in the port of Seoul, the capital of Korea. These were the cruiser "Varyag" and "Korean", a gunboat.

Japanese Admiral Uriu sent a notice to the Russians that Japan and Russia were at war. The cruiser was commanded by Rudnev V.F., captain of the 1st rank, and the boat was commanded by the captain of the second rank Belyaev G.P.

The admiral demanded that the Varyag leave the port, otherwise the battle would be fought right on the roadstead. Both ships weighed anchor, a few minutes later they gave a combat alert. In order to break through the blockade of the Japanese, the Russian sailors had to fight through the narrow fairway and go out to the open sea.

This task was almost impossible. The Japanese cruisers handed over the offer of surrender to the mercy of the winner. But this signal was ignored by the Russians. The enemy squadron opened fire.

Fierce fight

The battle between the cruiser Varyag and the Japanese was fierce. Despite the hurricane attack carried out by ships, one of which was heavy, and the other five were light (and also eight destroyers), Russian officers and sailors fired at the enemy, laid holes and extinguished the fire. The commander of the cruiser "Varyag" Rudnev, despite the injury and shell shock, did not stop leading the battle.

Ignoring the great destruction and heavy fire, the Varyag crew did not stop aimed fire from those guns that were still intact. At the same time, the "Korean" did not lag behind him.

According to Rudnev's report, the Russians sank 1 destroyer and damaged 4 Japanese cruisers. The losses of the Varyag crew in battle were as follows:

• It was killed: officers - 1 person, sailors - 30.
• Among those who were wounded or shell-shocked, there were 6 officers and 85 sailors.
• Approximately 100 more people were slightly injured.

Critical damage inflicted on the cruiser "Varyag" forced him to return to the roadstead of the bay in one hour. After the severity of the damage had been done, those guns and equipment that remained after the battle were, if possible, destroyed. The ship itself was sunk in the bay. The "Korean" did not suffer human losses, but was blown up by its crew.

Battle of Chemulpo, beginning

On the roads near the Korean city of Chemulpo (now Incheon) there were ships of Italians, British, Koreans, as well as Russians - "Varyag" and "Koreets". The Japanese cruiser Chiyoda was also moored there. The latter on February 7, at night, withdrew from the raid without turning on the identification lights and set off for the open sea.

Around 4 p.m. on February 8, the Korean, leaving the bay, met with the Japanese squadron, which consisted of 8 destroyers and 7 cruisers.

One of the cruisers, called Asama, blocked the way for our gunboat. At the same time, the destroyers fired 3 torpedoes at her, of which 2 flew past, and the third sank a few meters from the side of the Russian boat. Captain Belyaev was given the command to go to a neutral harbor and hide in Chemulpo.

Development of events

• 7.30. As mentioned above, the commander of the Japanese squadron, Uriu, sends a telegram to the ships standing in the bay about the state of war between the Russians and the Japanese, where it was indicated that the neutral bay would be forced to attack them at 16 o'clock if the Russians did not appear on the high seas by 12 o'clock.
• 9.30. Rudnev, who was on board the British ship Talbot, becomes aware of the telegram. A short meeting takes place here and a decision is made to leave the bay and give battle to the Japanese.
• 11.20. "Korean" and "Varyag" go to sea. At the same time, on the ships of foreign powers that observed neutrality, their teams were lined up, who greeted the Russians going to certain death with cries of "Hurrah!"
• 11.30. The Japanese cruisers were in combat formation near Richie Island, covering the exits to the sea, behind them were the destroyers. "Chyoda" and "Asama" laid the foundation for the movement towards the Russians, followed by "Niitaka" and "Naniva". Uriu offered the Russians to surrender and was refused.
• 11.47. As a result of accurate Japanese strikes, the deck on the Varyag is on fire, but it is possible to put it out. Some of the guns were damaged, there were wounded and killed. Rudnev was contused and seriously wounded in the back. The helmsman Snigirev remains in the ranks.
• 12.05. On the "Varyag" steering mechanisms are damaged. A decision is made to surrender full back, while not ceasing fire on enemy ships. At Asama, the aft tower and bridge were disabled, repair work began. Guns were damaged on two more cruisers, 1 destroyer was sunk. The Japanese had 30 killed.
• 12.20. The "Varyag" has two holes. A decision is made to return to Chemulpo Bay, correct the damage and continue the battle.
• 12.45. Hopes for the correction of most of the ship's guns are not justified.
• 18.05. By decision of the team and the captain, the Russian cruiser Varyag was flooded. The gunboat, having been damaged by the explosions, was also flooded.

Captain Rudnev's report

It seems that it will be interesting to get acquainted with the content of excerpts from Rudnev's report, the meaning of which boils down to the following:

• The first shot was fired from the Asama cruiser with an 8-inch gun. It was followed by the fire of the entire squadron.
• After the sighting was made, they opened fire on the Asama from a distance equal to 45 cables. One of the first Japanese shells destroyed the upper bridge and set fire to the navigator's cabin. At the same time, the rangefinder officer Count Nirod - midshipman, as well as the rest of the rangefinders of the 1st station, were killed. After the battle, they found the count's hand, which held the rangefinder.
• After inspecting the Varyag cruiser, making sure that it was impossible to engage in battle, at a meeting of officers they decided to sink it. The rest of the team and the wounded were taken to foreign ships, which expressed their full consent in response to a request to do so.
• The Japanese suffered heavy casualties, there were accidents on ships. The Asama, which went to the dock, was especially badly damaged. The cruiser Takachiho also suffered a hole. He took on board 200 wounded, but on the way to Sasebo his plasters burst, bulkheads broke, and he sank at sea, while the destroyer was in battle.

In conclusion, the captain considered it his duty to report that the ships of the naval detachment, which was entrusted to him, had exhausted all possible means for a breakthrough, prevented the Japanese from winning a victory, inflicted many losses on the enemy, supporting with dignity the honor of the Russian flag. Therefore, he petitioned for the award of the team for the valiant performance of duty and selfless courage shown at the same time.

honors

After the battle, Russian sailors were received by foreign ships. An obligation was taken from them that they would not participate in further hostilities. The sailors returned to Russia through neutral ports.

In 1904, in April, the crews reached St. Petersburg. Tsar Nicholas II welcomed the sailors. All of them were invited to the palace for a gala dinner. Dinnerware was specially prepared for this event, which were then handed over to the sailors. And also the king gave them a nominal watch.

The battle at Chemulpo vividly demonstrated the miracles of heroism of people who are capable of going to inevitable death in order to preserve honor and dignity.

In honor of this brave and at the same time desperate step of the Russian sailors, a special medal was established. The feat of sailors over the years has not been forgotten. So, in 1954, on the 50th anniversary of the battle at Chemulpo, N. G. Kuznetsov, commander of the naval forces of the Soviet Union, awarded 15 of his veterans with medals "For Courage".

In 1992, a monument was erected to the commander of the cruiser Rudnev in the village of Savina, which is located in the Zaoksky district of the Tula region. It was there that he was buried in 1913. In the city of Vladivostok in 1997, a monument was erected to the heroic cruiser Varyag.

In 2009, after lengthy negotiations with representatives of Korea were successfully completed, relics related to the feat of two Russian ships were delivered to Russia. Previously, they were kept in Icheon, in the museum storerooms. In 2010, the Mayor of Icheon, in the presence of Dmitry Medvedev, who at that time was the President of the Russian Federation, handed over to our diplomatic workers the guis (bow flag) of the Varyag cruiser. This solemn ceremony took place in the capital of South Korea, at the Russian Embassy.

Speech of Nicholas II addressed to the heroes of Chemulpo

Tsar Nicholas II delivered a heartfelt speech in honor of the heroes in the Winter Palace. In particular, it stated the following:

• He called the sailors "brothers", declaring that he was happy to see them safely returned to their homeland and in good health. He noted that, having shed their blood, they thereby committed an act worthy of the exploits of our ancestors, fathers and grandfathers. They wrote a new heroic page in the history of the Russian fleet, leaving in it forever the names "Varangian" and "Korean". Their feat will become immortal.
• Nikolai expressed confidence that each of the heroes until the very end of his service would be worthy of the award he received. He also emphasized that all the inhabitants of Russia read about the feat accomplished near Chemulpo with trembling excitement and love. The Tsar heartily thanked the sailors for maintaining the honor of the St. Andrew's flag, as well as the dignity of Great and Holy Russia. He raised his glass to the future victories of the glorious fleet and to the health of the heroes.

The further fate of the ship

In 1905, the Japanese raised the Varyag cruiser from the bottom of the bay and used it for training purposes, calling the ship Soya. During World War I, Japan and Russia were allies. In 1916, the ship was bought out and included in the navy of the Russian Empire under the previous name.

In 1917, the Varyag went to the UK for repairs. There it was confiscated by the British, as the newly formed Soviet government would not pay for repairs. After that, the ship was resold to Germany for scrapping. While being towed, it was caught in a storm and sank off the coast of the Irish Sea.

In 2003, they managed to find the place of the death of the cruiser "Varyag". Next to him, on the shore, in 2006, a memorial plaque was installed. And in 2007, they established a fund to support the navy, giving it the name "Cruiser" Varyag ". One of his goals was to raise the money needed to build and install a monument in Scotland dedicated to the legendary ship. Such a monument was opened in the city of Lendelfoot in 2007.

Our proud Varyag does not surrender to the enemy

This well-known song is dedicated to the event of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) described by us, which has become the most famous - the feat of the Varyag and the Korean, who entered into an unequal battle in the Chemulpo Bay with the forces of the Japanese squadron that were much superior to them.

The text of this song was written in 1904 by the Austrian poet and writer Rudolf Greinz, who was greatly impressed by the feat of Russian sailors. First, a poem called "Varangian" was published in one of the magazines, and soon after that several Russian translations of it were made.

The most successful was the translation by E. Studentskaya. It was set to music by AS Turishchev, a military musician. For the first time, the song was performed at a gala reception in the Winter Palace, which was described above.

There is another song dedicated to the legendary cruiser - “Cold waves are splashing”. In the newspaper "Rus" 16 days after the "Varyag" and "Koreets" were flooded, a poem by Y. Repninsky was placed, the music for which was later written by Benevsky V. D. and Bogoroditsky F. N. The song also has an unofficial the name given by the people is "Korean".

The famous battle of the Varyag cruiser with the Japanese squadron has become a real legend, although this, according to many, is contrary to logic and common sense.

There were many glorious victories in the history of the Russian fleet, and in the case of the Varyag, we are talking about a lost battle of an ingloriously lost war. So what is it that lies in the history of the Varyag that makes the hearts of Russians beat faster in the 21st century?

The Russian cruiser "Varyag" at the beginning of 1904 did not carry out a military mission at all. In the Korean port of Chemulpo, the cruiser and the gunboat "Koreets" were at the disposal of the Russian embassy in Seoul. Of course, the sailors knew about the current situation, which threatened to break out into war at any moment, but they did not expect an attack on February 9, 1904.

"Varyag" and "Korean" go into battle, February 9, 1904. Photo: Public Domain

The conflict of two empires

At the beginning of the 20th century, the interests of two rapidly developing empires, Russian and Japanese, clashed in the Far East. The parties fought for influence in China and Korea, the Japanese side also openly claimed the territories belonging to Russia, and in the long run hoped to completely oust Russia from the Far East.

By the beginning of 1904, Japan had completed the rearmament of the army and navy, in which the European powers, in particular Great Britain, played an important role, and was ready to resolve the conflict with Russia by force.

In Russia, on the contrary, they were clearly not ready for Japanese aggression. The equipment of the army left much to be desired, the underdevelopment of transport communications excluded the possibility of a quick transfer of additional forces to the Far East. At the same time, there was also a clear underestimation of the enemy by the ruling circles of Russia - too many did not take Japanese claims seriously.

On the night of February 4, 1905, at a meeting of the Privy Council and the government of Japan, it was decided to start a war with Russia, and a day later an order was issued to attack the Russian squadron in Port Arthur and land troops in Korea.

On February 6, 1904, Japan severed diplomatic relations with Russia. However, the Russian command did not expect decisive military action from the Japanese.

Armored cruiser Varyag and a photograph of its captain Vsevolod Rudnev. Photo: Public Domain

Trap in Chemulpo

On the night of February 9, 1904, Japanese destroyers attacked the Russian squadron in Port Arthur, putting out of action two battleships and one cruiser.

At the same time, the Japanese squadron, consisting of six cruisers and eight destroyers, blocked the Varyag and the gunboat Koreets in the port of Chemulpo.

Since Chemulpo was considered a neutral port, there were ships of several powers in it, including the Japanese cruiser Chiyoda, which on the night of February 9 went to the open sea, as it turned out later, to join the main Japanese forces.

By this time, the Russian embassy in Seoul and the commander of the Varyag Captain 1st Rank Vsevolod Rudnev were actually in informational isolation due to the non-receipt of telegrams held up by Japanese agents who controlled the transmitting stations in Korea. The fact that Japan broke off diplomatic relations with Russia, Rudnev learned from the captains of foreign ships. Under these conditions, it was decided to send the "Korean" with reports to Port Arthur.

But on the night of February 9, the Korean, which left the port, was subjected to a torpedo attack by Japanese ships and was forced to return to the roadstead.

According to international law, the Japanese squadron did not have the right to attack Russian ships in a neutral port, since this endangered the ships of other states. On the other hand, the sailors of the "Varyag" could not take retaliatory action when landings began on the morning of February 9 from Japanese transport ships.

The cruiser after the battle, February 9, 1904. A strong list to the port side is visible. Photo: Public Domain

Russians don't give up

It became clear that the war had begun. After negotiations with the participation of the captains of the ships of the neutral powers, the commander of the Japanese squadron, Admiral Sotokichi Uriu, issued an ultimatum: by 12:00 on February 9, Russian ships must leave the port, otherwise they will be attacked directly in it.

The captain of the Varyag, Vsevolod Rudnev, decided to go to sea and take the fight, making an attempt to break through to Port Arthur. With this balance of power, there was practically no chance of success, but the captain's decision was supported by the crew.

When the "Varyag" and "Koreets" were leaving the port, the ships of the neutral powers began to sing the anthem of the Russian Empire as a sign of respect for the courage of Russian sailors going to certain death.

After the Russian ships left the port, Admiral Uriu ordered the Varyag and the Korean to be handed over: we offer to surrender and lower the flag.

The Russian sailors refused, after which a battle ensued. The battle lasted about an hour. Japanese ships had better equipment, maneuverability and higher speed. With an overwhelming quantitative advantage, this, in fact, did not leave the Russians a chance. Japanese fire caused serious damage to the Varyag, including most of the ship's guns were disabled. In addition, due to their hit in the underwater part, the ship rolled to the port side. There was great damage to the stern, some hits caused fires, several people were killed by shrapnel in the conning tower and the captain was shell-shocked.

In the battle, 1 officer and 22 sailors of the Varyag were killed, ten more died of wounds, dozens of people were seriously injured. The "Korean", whose participation in the battle was limited, had no losses in the crew.

It is difficult to talk about Japanese losses. According to Captain Rudnev's report, one Japanese destroyer was sunk, and at least one Japanese cruiser was seriously damaged.

Japanese sources report that the ships of Admiral Uriu did not suffer any losses at all, and not a single Varyag shell reached its target.

Fragment of the painting "Cruiser Varyag" by Pyotr Maltsev. Photo: www.russianlook.com

Rewards for defeat

After returning to the port, the question arose before Captain Rudnev: what to do next? Initially, he intended to resume the fight after repairing the damage, but it quickly became clear that there was no way for this.

As a result, it was decided to destroy the ships in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. The wounded sailors were transferred to neutral ships, after which the crews left the Varyag and Koreets. "Varyag" was flooded by opening the kingstones, and "Korean" was blown up.

After negotiations with the Japanese side, an agreement was reached that the Russian sailors would not be considered prisoners of war, but would be entitled to return to their homeland, subject to the obligation not to participate in further hostilities.

In Russia, the Varyag sailors were greeted as heroes, although many of the crew expected a completely different reaction: after all, the battle was lost, and the ships were lost. Contrary to these expectations, the crew of the "Varyag" was awarded a solemn reception by Nicholas II, and all participants in the battle were awarded.

This still causes confusion among many: why? The Japanese squadron defeated the Russians to smithereens. Moreover, the flooded "Varyag" was soon raised by the Japanese and included in the fleet under the name "Soya". Only in 1916 "Varyag" was redeemed and returned to Russia.

Cruiser Soya. Photo: Public Domain

Stay to the last

The most surprising thing is that the act of Russian sailors was considered heroic and their opponents were the Japanese. Moreover, in 1907, Captain Vsevolod Rudnev was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese Emperor in recognition of the heroism of Russian sailors. Young Japanese officers were taught courage and stamina, using as an example the crews of the Varyag and Koreets.

There is no logic in all this, only if you think pragmatically. But the fact of the matter is that not everything in our lives can be measured by such logic.

The duty to the Motherland and the honor of a sailor are sometimes more valuable than their own lives. Accepting an unequal and hopeless battle, the Varyag sailors showed the enemy that there would be no easy victory in the war with Russia, that every warrior would stand to the end and not retreat to the last.

It was with steadfastness, courage and readiness for self-sacrifice that Soviet soldiers forced the well-oiled machine of the Nazi Wehrmacht to break down. For many of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, the feat of the Varyag was an example.

In 1954, already in the Soviet Union, the 50th anniversary of the battle at Chemulpo was widely celebrated. The surviving sailors of the "Varyag" were assigned personal pensions, and 15 of them received medals "For Courage" from the hands of the Commander-in-Chief of the USSR Navy, Admiral Kuznetsov.

At the end of the 19th century, the naval ministry of the Russian Empire ordered the construction of a light armored cruiser in the United States. The contract was signed on April 11, 1898, and the shipyards of the American Company William Cramp & Sons on the Delaware River in Philadelphia were chosen as the construction site.

Despite the American "origin", all the armament of the cruiser "Varyag" was made in Russia. Guns - at the Obukhov plant, torpedo tubes - at the Metal Plant in St. Petersburg. Izhevsk plant manufactured equipment for the galley. But the anchors were ordered in England.

Specifications

For its time, the Varyag was one of the highest class ships. It was a four-pipe, two-masted, armored cruiser of the 1st rank with a displacement of 6500 tons. The cruiser's main battery artillery consisted of twelve 152-mm (six-inch) guns. In addition, the ship carried twelve 75 mm guns, eight 47 mm quick-firing guns, and two 37 mm guns. The cruiser had six torpedo tubes. He could reach speeds up to 23 knots.

Such equipment was not the only strength of the cruiser. It differed from the ships built earlier by a significantly larger number of devices and mechanisms powered by electricity.

In addition, all the furniture of the cruiser was made of metal. This significantly increased the safety of the ship in battle and during a fire: before, the furniture was made of wood and, as a result, it burned very well.

The cruiser "Varyag" was also the first ship of the Russian fleet, on which telephone sets were installed in almost all service premises, including gun posts.

The crew of the ship consisted of 550 sailors, non-commissioned officers, conductors and 20 officers.

With all the advantages, it was not without drawbacks: the boilers installed on the cruiser, after several years of operation, no longer provided the necessary capacities, and in 1901 there was even talk of repairs. However, on tests in 1903, before leaving Kronstadt for the port of registry, the Varyag showed excellent driving performance, close to the maximum possible.

Launching and way to the port of registry

The cruiser "Varyag" would have been launched on October 19, 1899. Until January 1901, the team that arrived from Russia carried out work on arming and equipping the vessel. In mid-January, the equipment was completed and the ship was officially accepted into the Navy of the Russian Empire.

On the morning of May 3, 1901, the Varyag anchored on the Great Kronstadt roadstead. The cruiser spent quite a bit of time in Kronstadt: after two reviews, one of which was personally conducted by Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich, the Varyag was assigned to Port Arthur to reinforce the 1st Pacific Squadron. There were not so many ships in this squadron and they were scattered over all ports: Vladivostok, Port Arthur, Dalniy, Chemulpo, near Seoul, off the coast of Korea.

The cruiser reached its home port across half the world: first, the course lay through the Baltic and North Seas, then across the English Channel to the Atlantic Ocean, then around Africa to the Indian Ocean. The entire voyage took about six months, and on February 25, the Varyag cruiser anchored in the outer roadstead of Port Arthur.

Battle, death and further fate

"Varyag" took part in one of the most dramatic naval battles in history. It was during the Russo-Japanese War, literally a month before the start of which the tsar's governor in the Far East, Admiral E.I. Alekseev sent the Varyag cruiser from Port Arthur to the neutral Korean port of Chemulpo (modern Incheon).

• On January 26 (February 8), 1904, the Japanese squadron of Rear Admiral Uriu blocked the port of Chemulpo in order to cover the landing and prevent the Varyag from interfering.
• On January 27 (February 9), the captain of the Varyag, Vsevolod Fedorovich Rudnev, received an ultimatum from Uriu: leave the port before noon, otherwise Russian ships would be attacked in the roadstead. Rudnev decided to break through with a fight to Port Arthur, and in case of failure, blow up the ships.

At noon, the Varyag and the gunboat Koreets left the port and at a distance of 10 miles met the Japanese squadron, which was occupying a position behind the island of Yodolmi. The fight lasted only 50 minutes. During this time, "Varyag" fired 1105 shells at the enemy, "Korean" - 52 shells.

During the battle, the Varyag received 5 holes below the waterline and lost three 6-inch guns. According to Rudnev, the ship was unable to continue the battle, and it was decided to return to the port of Chemulpo.

In the port, after assessing the severity of the damage, the remaining guns and equipment on it were destroyed, if possible, the cruiser itself was flooded, and the Koreyets was blown up. However, this is not the end of the history of the legendary cruiser.

• In 1905, the Japanese raised and repaired the Varyag. The ship received a new name "Soya" and for the next few years served as a training ship for Japanese sailors.
• In 1916, Russia bought the ship from Japan, and in 1917 the ship sailed to the British docks for repairs. After the revolution, the Soviet government did not have the opportunity to pay for repairs and the ship remained with the British.
• In 1920, the British authorities sold the cruiser for scrap to Germany.
• In 1925, while being transported, the Varyag got into a storm and ran aground near the Irish coast, not far from the village of Lendalfoot. In the same place, the legend of the navy found its last berth: the ship was blown up so that the hull would not interfere with fishing and shipping.
• In 2004, the place of the cruiser's sinking was precisely determined. Now all that remains of the ship lies on the seabed at a depth of 8 meters, a few hundred meters from the shore.

Today, museums and memorials dedicated to the memory of the Varyag cruiser have been opened in the Far East, Ireland and Korea. The songs “Our proud Varyag does not surrender to the enemy” and “Cold waves are splashing” are dedicated to the feat of the crews of the ships, in addition, in 1972 a commemorative postage stamp depicting a cruiser was issued in the USSR.