Russian monitor Admiral Chichagov

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Admiral Chichagov at anchor
History
Russian Empire
NameAdmiral Chicagov
NamesakeAdmiral Vasily Chichagov
Ordered4 June 1865[Note 1]
BuilderSemiannikov & Poletika Shipyard, Saint Petersburg
Cost1,177,500 rubles
Laid down20 November 1866
Launched13 October 1868
Decommissioned31 March 1907
In service1869
ReclassifiedAs a
ironclad
, 13 February 1892
Stricken14 August 1907
FateUnknown
General characteristics (as built)
Class and typeAdmiral Spiridov-class monitor
Displacement3,505–3,587 long tons (3,561–3,645 t)
Length254 ft (77.4 m) (waterline)
Beam43 ft (13.1 m)
Draft21 ft (6.4 m)
Installed power
Propulsion1 Shaft, 1 direct-action steam engine
Speed10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Range1,400 nmi (2,600 km; 1,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement280 officers and crewmen
Armament
Armor

The Russian monitor Admiral Chichagov (

Navy List in 1907 and became a target ship
. Her ultimate fate is unknown.

Design and description

The Admiral Spiridov-class monitors were significantly larger than their predecessors, the Charodeika class, and were 254 feet (77.4 m) long at the waterline. They had a beam of 43 feet (13.1 m) and a maximum draft of 21 feet (6.4 m). The ships were designed to displace 3,196 long tons (3,247 t), but turned out to be overweight and actually displaced 3,505 to 3,587 long tons (3,561 to 3,645 t). Their crew consisted of 280 officers and crewmen. The Admiral Spiridov class had a single two-cylinder horizontal direct-acting steam engine. It drove a single propeller using steam provided by four rectangular fire-tube boilers. The engine was designed to produce a total of 2,000 indicated horsepower (1,500 kW) which gave the ships speeds between 9.1–9.5 knots (16.9–17.6 km/h; 10.5–10.9 mph) when they ran their initial sea trials in 1869. The ship carried 280 long tons (280 t) of coal which gave her a range of 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km; 1,600 mi) at full speed. She was fitted with three masts in a light fore-and-aft rig to steady her and aid in maneuvering.[1]

The monitors were ultimately designed to be armed with four

Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, a 9-inch mortar was fitted to attack the thin deck armor of enemy ships, but accuracy was poor and they were later removed, probably in the early 1880s. An improved, more powerful, 11-inch gun was installed aboard Admiral Chichagov during the 1880s. Light guns for use against torpedo boats were added to the Admiral Spiridov-class ships during the Russo-Turkish War when a pair of 4-pounder 3.4-inch (86 mm) guns were mounted on the roofs of each gun turret. A variety of other small guns are known to have been fitted, but details are lacking. The ships could also carry 12 to 15 mines.[2]

The hull of the Admiral Spiridov-class monitors was completely covered by

gun ports, where it thickened to 6.5 inches. The conning tower was 5 inches (127 mm) thick and the deck armor was in two layers with a total thickness of 1 inch.[3]

Construction and service

Admiral Chichagov, named for Admiral

launched on 28 August 1868 and then transferred to Kronstadt for fitting out as the shallow waters around Saint Petersburg prevented deep-draft ships from being completed. This added more delays as the dockyard there lacked the equipment to efficiently fit out the ships, and she officially entered service in 1869 at the cost of 1,177,500 rubles.[5]

On 20 July 1870, Admiral Chichagov struck a

floating crane were summoned from Kronstadt the next day. As much weight as possible was transferred to the barges, including her forward guns, and she was successfully pulled free on 25 July. Admiral Chichagov was not damaged in the incident.[6]

On 18 July 1875, she accidentally collided with the monitor

hulk was used as a target near Reval. Her ultimate fate is unknown.[7]

Notes

  1. ^ All dates used in this article are New Style

Footnotes

  1. ^ McLaughlin, pp. 115–16, 122–23
  2. ^ McLaughlin, pp. 118–20
  3. ^ McLaughlin, pp. 121–22
  4. ^ Silverstone, p. 372
  5. ^ McLaughlin, pp. 113–14
  6. ^ McLaughlin, pp. 124–26
  7. ^ McLaughlin, p. 126

References

  • McLaughlin, Stephen (2014). "The Turret Frigates of the Admiral Lazarev and Admiral Spiridov Classes". In Jordan, John (ed.). Warship 2014. London: Conway. pp. 112–28.
    ISBN 978-1-84486-236-8
    .
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1984). Directory of the World's Capital Ships. New York: Hippocrene Books.
    ISBN 0-88254-979-0
    .

Further reading

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