Pearl (armored cruiser)

Ordered to Nevsky Zavod within the framework of the program “For the needs of the Far East”. June 1, 1902 officially laid by the shipyard in the presence of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich and was named "Pearl". During the tests of the prototype ( Novik cruiser ), changes were repeatedly made to the project, which led to a slowdown in construction. In addition, the construction was slowed down by the non-fulfillment of its obligations by counter-agents of the plant.

June 26, 1902 on the cruiser were installed the keel , the stem and stern bushings , frames , stringers , beams ; the lining of the sides was brought to the upper deck ^[1] . On March 22, 655 tons of steel were installed at Zhemchug. June 11, 1903 were tested boilers for the cruiser and their installation on the ship. On August 7, propeller shafts with screws were tested by rotation, on August 11, the commission recognized the work on the “Pearl” as “satisfactory”, and the cruiser was ready for launching.

On August 14, 1903, at 11 o'clock in the presence of Emperor Nicholas II, the “Pearls” safely descended into the water. During the descent, the destroyers “Violent” , “Bravy” and “Vigorous” traditionally saluted 31 shots. The captain of the 2nd rank PP Levitsky was appointed commander of the ship.

By November 1903, all boilers were installed on the cruiser , portholes , bulkheads, bridges , masts were installed, residential decks were laid. The machine "Pearls" by this time was already practically assembled in the workshop. A flood that occurred on November 12th, the delivery of evaporators for Pearls was thwarted. The next storm on December 2, the cruiser tore off the mooring lines and he was stuck on the ice bank, however, the hull was not damaged. In order to accelerate the construction, two steam boats from the Volga mine transport were transferred to the Zhemchug.

At the beginning of 1904 it was decided to install two light wooden masts on the cruiser to simplify the flag-signal production. After the start of the Russian-Japanese war , the construction of the ship was significantly accelerated in mid- March 1904, the plant determined the date for the delivery of the Pearls to the fleet - July 1, 1904 . The project was again revised according to the experience of the first battles, and it was decided to install another pair of 120-mm guns, which were taken from the cruiser Dmitry Donskoy . In addition, two torpedo tubes and a mechanical semaphore of the firm Schihau (for the first time in the Russian fleet) were installed. Every day, up to 480 craftsmen worked on the cruiser. The plant was in a hurry to perform a greater amount of work, using the parking of the cruiser near the wall. Vice-Admiral F.K.Avelan and the commander of the Second Pacific Squadron (of which Pearl was to enter) Z.Pozhdestvensky ^[1] visited the cruiser several times.

On July 26, Zhemugug conducted mooring tests, and on August 5, the cruiser made an independent transition to Kronstadt . On tests, the ship showed a speed of 23.04 knots with an overload of 250 tons. All deficiencies found during the tests were corrected in a short time at the plant in Reval . August 29, "Pearls" finally became part of the Second Pacific Squadron .

On September 27, the Imperial Squadron Review took place in Revel, during which Nicholas II visited the Pearls and wished the team and officers "a happy journey and a safe return."

Transition to the Far East

On September 28, the squadron left Revel and, having built up in two columns, headed for Libau . "Pearls" took place in the right column for the transport "Anadyr" . In Libau , coal was loaded onto the cruiser, and on October 2, the Pearl ship left the last Russian port on the Baltic Sea forever. The lead in the squadron was usually a 2-rank cruiser “Diamond” under the flag of Rear Admiral Enquist. "Pearls" ranked third in the column ^[2] , for "Svetlana" . During the cruise on the ship often there were breakdowns that often had to be corrected on the move ^[1] .

On October 21, the core of the Second Pacific Squadron arrived in Tangier , and part of the ships with a smaller draft, among them the Pearl, went through the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal . February 1, 1905 off the coast of Madagascar squadron connected with the "Catching up the detachment", which included the same type with the "Pearls" cruiser "Emerald" . Began joint exercises with the squadron in shooting and evolution, and the "Pearl" was distinguished by its skillful maneuvering. On March 3, the Pearls and the Emerald were appointed to be under the main forces, and at the crossing they took their places to the right and left aboard the flagship battleship Prince Suvorov . Swimming was accompanied by exhausting loading of coal on an ocean wave in the tropical heat ^[1] .

On May 6, Zhemchug detained the Norwegian steamer Oscar II, but the latter was released and, according to some sources, reported finding the entire Russian squadron. The order with instructions, given before the battle, relegated to Pearl and Emerald the role of repetitive ships in the flagship battleships.

Tsushima battle

After the Second Pacific Squadron approached the Tsushima Strait and was discovered by Japanese reconnaissance ships, the Zhemchug stopped the Japanese steamer at 7 am, but soon, by order of the commander, he let it go. Around 11.00, the cruiser several times opened fire on the Japanese ships. At 12.00, being already in the Tsushima Strait, the ships changed course to northeast 23 °. Soon the first armored detachment came out of the general column to the right, while “Pearl” was ordered to go to the traverse of the “Eagle” , followed by the “Emerald” and four torpedo boats of the 1st mine detachment.

At the beginning of the battle of the main forces, the commander of the "Pearl" ordered to open fire "to raise the spirit of the team" ^[1] . Immediately after the failure of the battleship Oslyabya , the cruiser went to him and received his first hit with a 152-mm projectile. The damage was insignificant, but Lieutenant Baron Wrangel ^[3] was killed and the entire servant of the stern implement was disabled. The cruiser came out from under the enemy’s fire and was among the auxiliary ships, and almost collided with the Ural auxiliary cruiser: the Pearl drew the right part of the stern along the Ural bow, hooking the right propeller to its hull ^[1] . Damage received mine apparatus, which fell out of the charge compartment torpedoes.

At 14 o'clock "Pearls" returned to the main forces of the squadron, but got hit by another 120-mm projectile, the rupture of which caused numerous injuries to the right- sided gun and led to the ignition of projectiles intended for the first shots. After this hit, “Pearls” came out from under the fire of the line forces of the Japanese and joined the cruiser squad, joining the wake of Vladimir Monomakh , leading a firefight with Japanese cruisers attacking transports. In the future, the commander of the "Pearl" found it best not to approach the battleships, so as not to risk a cruiser. In total, for the day battle, “Pearls” received 17 hits, causing damage to the chimneys and, insignificant, to the ship’s hull; 12 people died, including two officers, about thirty people were injured ^[2] .

By the end of the day, Zhemchug finally joined the group of rear-admiral O. Enkvist's cruisers , taking a place on the left traverse of the Aurora . At night, the squad tried to change course, but invariably ran into Japanese destroyers. Captain 2 rank Levitsky tried to find out the intentions of the flagship, but received only an order to follow with a detachment to Manila for repair. On May 21, the Russian cruisers anchored in Manila, and on May 25, by order of St. Petersburg, they interned until the end of hostilities.

After the conclusion of peace with Japan at the "Pearl" began to prepare for the transition to Russia. According to the highest approved distribution of interned ships, he was to go to Vladivostok and join the Siberian Flotilla ^[4] . On October 14 at 12:20 pm, the Pearls left Manila and headed for their destination.

During the uprising in Vladivostok on January 10, 1906, the cruiser team joined the rebel garrison and took part in street battles. After the unrest was suppressed, the cruiser crew was disarmed and put ashore, and 402 sailors were brought to trial.

Despite the poor technical condition ^[1] , the cruiser made annual voyages along the bays of Primorye and, alternating with the gunboat Manchuer , carried stationary service in Shanghai . In addition, the cruiser made short trips to Chinese, Korean and Japanese ports, was used as a target for the preparation of submariners. In 1910, "Pearl" was put on a major overhaul.

The repaired cruiser campaign of 1911 conducted in practical navigation as the flagship of the flotilla commander. In May, the Minister of War from the side of "Pearl" examined the gulf of Peter the Great . In 1912 the ship was placed in an armed reserve. The cruiser commander was the hero of the Russo-Japanese War, Captain 2nd Rank Ivanov, 13th . The following year, the cruiser served as a stationary in Shanghai and Hankow ^[2] . 1914 met in the same place, guarding Russian citizens and reporting on the situation in China, where the revolution occurred. In mid-May, Zhemchug returned to Vladivostok, and a month later, the commander was replaced once again, which was Captain 2nd Rank Baron I.A. Cherkasov ^[1] .

Protection of the Entente's maritime communications

At 5 h 30 min on July 20, 1914, the flagship of the flotilla cruiser “Askold” raised the flag signal: “Germany declared war” ^[2] . The flotilla was urgently placed on alert.

With the highest permission of the cruiser "Askold" and "Pearl" joined the Allied fleet, acting under the command of the British Vice-Admiral Jeram. On August 24, Emperor Nicholas II was informed that " on the orders of the English admiral, the cruisers Askold and Pearls left August 25 for Hong Kong to join up with allied forces " ^[5] . On August 25, at 6 o'clock, both cruisers were removed from the anchor and left Vladivostok .

On September 3 , after the British liaison officers were taken on board, the Russian cruisers split off from the Philippines and examined the coast of the islands. During September 1914, Zhemchug successfully engaged in escorting British and French transports with troops and cargo.

September 27, "Pearls" headed for Singapore , on the way convoy French transport. Having stood for 5 days in Singapore , "Pearls" went further to Penang , escorting four vehicles ^[5] . From there, the cruiser went to the Nicobar Islands in search of the German Emden raider. However, I had to go back to Penang on the same day due to the poor technical condition of the boiler plant.

After becoming anchored, Baron Cherkasov requested the permission of the English Vice-Admiral T. Jerram, to whom he was subordinate, to rebuild the machines and alkaline the boilers after a long voyage. After obtaining permission, all the boilers, except for one, were taken out of action, and they did not take into account that the remaining boiler could not provide a normal power supply, in particular, the work of projectile elevators and drainage facilities ^[5] . On October 14, I.A. Cherkasov’s wife arrived in Penang ^[1] , and he went ashore, ordering, nevertheless “just in case”, to have loaded guns facing the entrance to the raid.

Cruiser

At 4 hours and 50 minutes on October 15, the Emden , without lights, with a fake pipe that made it look like the English cruiser Yarmouth ^[2] , entered the harbor of Penang , where it was freely admitted by patrol ships deceived by the appearance of a cruiser.

The harbor master, Mac-Intr, and English Lieutenant Mound, who is floating to communicate on the Pearl, pointed out this and other precautions to the commander of the Russian cruiser. Lieutenant Mounde went personally to the signal station at the garrison headquarters every night. No other measures to protect, except for the expulsion into the sea on the watch of one destroyer (Mousquet) and the patrol boat into the passage, apparently, did not exist. Two other French destroyers stood moored along the wall. D'lberville also went through cars. This was the state of affairs in Penang, when at about 5 o'clock on the morning of October 28, at the entrance to the harbor, a four-pipe cruiser appeared (the fourth pipe was false), painted, like our cruisers, in dark gray. The flag raised on the gaff was taken for English, and the patrol boat, without even questioning it and not warning “Pearls,” gave it free passage. ^[6]

The senior officer of the cruiser Emden described what was happening:

Everyone had already decided that the expedition had failed, when suddenly among these “merchants” who stood with anchor lights and illuminated windows from the inside, a dark silhouette appeared without a single light. This is, of course, a warship. A few minutes later we were close enough to make sure that this is true. <...> Finally, when the "Emden" passed at a distance of about 1 cable under the stern of a mysterious ship and went to him to the traverse, we finally established that it was the cruiser "Pearl". It reigned peace and silence. <...> From a distance of about 1 cab. we released our first mine from the right-hand on-board unit and at the same time opened fire with the whole board at the nose of the Pearl ... ^[7]

At the "Pearl" began a panic, part of the team rushed overboard. The officers of the cruiser managed to restore order, but the people standing up to the guns did not find the shells - the supply elevators did not act. A senior artillery officer, Yu. Yu. Rybaltovsky, personally opened fire from a UT gun and, according to Russian data, achieved two hits on a German ship ^[1] . The watch officer, warrant officer AK Sipailo, managed to make only one shot from a tank gun, but was immediately killed. A few minutes later, the Emden, re-entering the flight of the Pearls, released a mine from the left apparatus, which, falling under the bridge of the Russian ship, caused the detonation of the cellar. A column of smoke and steam rose up to about 150 m upward, the hull broke and the nose went into the water, after 15 seconds only the top of the tower mast remained on the surface.

Coming out of the harbor, the German cruiser sank the French destroyer and melted in the dark. Meanwhile, the port began to rescue the team "Pearls". After the calculation, it turned out that midshipman Sipailo and 80 lower ranks died, later 7 people died from injuries, 9 officers and 113 lower ranks received injuries of varying severity.

January 4, 1915 in the Penang came auxiliary cruiser "Eagle" for the organization of diving operations. Because of the strong current, the work was impeded and only one 120-mm gun, a machine gun, and 6 riflescopes were raised from the sunken ship. A month later , the Eagle urgently departed for Singapore, and on this the attempts of the Russian side to lift anything from the property from Pearls ceased.

The commission of inquiry was created over the death of the cruiser, which placed all the blame on the incident on the ship's commander baron I. Cherkasov and senior officer N. V. Kulibin .

In the 1920s , the Pearl was partially raised and disassembled by English experts.

The first monument to the cruiser “Pearl” was installed in 1915 by the sailors of the auxiliary cruiser “Eagle” . In February 1938, Cossack emigrants who were on tour in Penang brought the grave in order, straightened the cross and installed a memorial tablet with nine surnames, which they were able to learn from the cemetery archives ^[8] . In February 1976, a new monument in the form of a stone cube appeared on the grave with the inscription “Russian navy sailors of the cruiser“ Pearl ”- a grateful Motherland”, created at the initiative of the USSR . In the 1990s , a plate with the names of cruiser officers was added.

• V. V. Khromov. “Pearl” type cruisers / A. S. Raguzin. - M .: Model-designer, 2005. - 32 p. - (Maritime collection number 1 (70) / 2005). - 4000 copies
• Cruisers "Pearls" and "Emerald"; Alliluyev, A. A .; Bogdanov, MA - Publishing House: St. Petersburg: LeCo, 2004; ISBN 5-902236-17-7
• Corbett J. The operations of the English fleet in the First World War. - Minsk: Harvest LLC, 2003. - 480 p. (Military Historical Library). ISBN 985-13-1058-1
• Krinitsky N.N. Auxiliary cruiser of the Siberian flotilla "Eagle" (Rus.) // Russia and the APR. - 2005 p. - № 4 ..
• Taras A. Ships of the Russian Imperial Navy 1892-1917 - Harvest, 2000. - ISBN 9854338886 .
• On the monuments to seamen from the Russian cruiser “Zhemchug” on the islands of Penang and Dzheredzhak (Malaysia) (Rus.) // Embassy of the Russian Federation in Malaysia. - 2006
• Russian cruisers on the protection of ocean communications of the Entente A.V. Nevsky (Gangut Magazine No. 34) based on RGAVMF

• Cruiser last parking
• Photo Archive
• V.Krupnik "Pearls", "Emden" and "Sydney"
• Cruiser "Pearls"
• Once again about the death of the cruiser "Pearl"