Armored Tower Boats of the Hurricane Type

By the beginning of the 1860s, the issue of replacing the wooden screw gunboats built during the Crimean War built into the defensive system of the Gulf of Finland became an acute issue at the Ministry of the Sea . In view of the threat of an imminent start of the war between Russia and England and France, it was decided to take advantage of the American experience in the construction of armored ships of coastal defense. Also, such factors as the lack of their own experience in building such ships and the lack of funds and time to work on the project from scratch served for this option ^{[1] [2]} .

USS Passaic

In this regard, in 1862, the captain of the first rank S. S. Lesovsky and the Marine Engineers Corps, captain N. A. Arceulov, were sent to the North American United States to study the technology of building armored ships. The brought documents and technical documentation were reviewed at the Ministry of the Sea. At the suggestion of N. A. Arceulov, we settled on the design of monitors with a rotating tower such as Passaic designed by engineer John Erickson . These monitors were small-sized armored boats with a hull almost completely immersed in water and a very low freeboard, which made them inconspicuous. Also, these monitors could operate in shallow water and in the conditions of cramped bays ^[1] . Admiral N.K. Krabbe, the manager of the Ministry of the Sea, also expected to use them as a mobile defense of the Kronstadt’s underwater defense fence ^[3] ] ^[4] .

Further, N. A. Artseulov made changes to improve the design of monitors and finalized the drawings and specifications, taking into account and adapting a number of parts to the technical capabilities of Russian plants. By order of Admiral N.K. Krabbe, the model port of St. Petersburg port embodied the final version in the model ^{[4] [5]} .

In late February - early March 1863, the drawings were finally approved by the Ministry of Navy and in March the so-called “Monitor shipbuilding program” was approved, which provided for the construction of 10 single-turret coastal defense battleships and one two-turret battleship. The leadership of the Ministry of the Sea noted the advantages of the serial construction of iron steam ships, as it was more profitable for the treasury, ensured uniform loading of shipbuilding enterprises and simplified construction control.

These battleships were intended for battle at the Kronstadt mine-artillery position and the defense of the Gulf of Finland and the sea approaches to St. Petersburg. They got the names: “Armadillo”, “Sagittarius”, “Hurricane”, “Veschun”, “Typhon”, “Unicorn”, “Lava”, “Latnik”, “Sorcerer”, “Perun”; two-tower battleship received the name "Tornado" ^[1] .

The final drawing and specification of N. A. Arceulov was accepted for construction. For the quick commissioning of ships, the Director of the Shipbuilding Department Rear Admiral A. V. Voevodsky decided to build them in pairs at different shipyards in St. Petersburg at the same time ^[4] . The shipyards of the Belgian society John Cockerill ( SA ), which undertook to manufacture parts of armadillos in Belgium and then assemble them in the boathouse built for this purpose on Gutuevsky Island near St. Petersburg, were selected as an additional construction site ^[1] .

The chief builder of all the ships was the author of the drawing, Captain N. A. Arceulov, senior shipbuilder of the St. Petersburg port of the Marine Engineers Corps, and Lieutenant I.F. Likhachev was appointed to oversee the construction of the fleet in Russia, and Lieutenant Captain A. I. Fedorov in Belgium. General management was provided by S. S. Lesovsky. The manufacture of mechanisms at all plants was supervised by the Corps of Engineers of the Fleet of Staff Captain A. D. Pribbe . Captain-Lieutenant N. A. Fesun (appointed commander of the Hurricane) was responsible for armament and supply. Lieutenant Commander I. P. Belavenets was involved in deviation , placement and installation of compasses ^[1] . The Maritime Ministry set a deadline for delivery for all battleships no later than June 1, 1864 ^[6] .

The first to start construction, even before the official laying, they started contracting with S. G. Kudryavtsev on Galerny Ostrovok under the supervision of Captain A. A. Svistovsky on June 1, 1863. The battleships being built here were named Sagittarius and Unicorn. In fact, Kudryavtsev’s enterprises manufactured cases, and the installation of the main mechanisms and additional equipment took place at the Byrd factory, where they were made ^{[7] [4]} .

On the 5th, the construction of the Battleship and Latnik and the main mechanisms began at the foundries and mechanical institutions of Carr and MacPherson in Chekushi. The builder of both ships madeCCI captain N. G. Korshikov ^{[1] [4]} . The total cost of the construction and manufacture of mechanisms, towers, machine tools for guns and interior decoration amounted to 1 137913 rubles, or 568 956 rubles 50 kopecks for each finished ship ^[6] .

With the beginning of the construction of ships, civil engineers had to make a number of changes to the project, based on the combat experience of the armored ships: part of the wooden lining was replaced with iron strips, which made it possible to strengthen the fastening of the armor in the bow tip; the space under the overhang was sewn up along the side with wooden beams, as a result of which the hull protection against rams and buoyancy increased. On June 15, these changes were approved by the Ministry of the Sea and accepted for execution. On the same day, “Lava” and “Perun” were accepted for construction at the shipyards of the Nevsky Plant Semyannikov and Poletiki ^[1] under the supervision of a ship engineer captain I.S. Aleksandrov. A 30-horsepower tower machine steam engine was also manufactured there. The ships received the main mechanisms from the Admiralty Izhora factories ^[4] . The cost of two ships, excluding the cost of manufacturing the main mechanisms, amounted to 977,900 rubles ^[6] .

The start of construction of the Hurricane and Typhon at the New Admiralty, which had not previously built armored ships, required the reconstruction of the shipyard and the modernization of facilities and equipment. Work on these shipyards under the direction of the CCI Colonel A. Ya. Gesekhus began on June 26 ^[1] . The main mechanisms for them were ordered at the Byrd factory in St. Petersburg ^[4] .

The construction of ships required up to 300 workers a day, and the Shipbuilding Department had to involve the marine teams in St. Petersburg and even request workers from the Volga provinces ^[1] .

The sectional parts of the battleships “Veshchun” and “Sorcerer” were launched on October 28 in the Belgian Sering Society of John Kokkeril under the leadership of Captain Lieutenant A. I. Fedorov. The same company also manufactured steam engines for them. The assembly of armadillos on the boathouses arranged on purpose for this by the society on Gutuevsky Island was appointed to be led by KKI Lieutenant X. V. Prokhorov ^[4] . The contract price for both ships amounted to 1 106 000 rubles, or 553 000 for each. The contract was concluded through a community agent, Mr. Saduan ^[6] .

Bending of keel sheets was ordered at the private factory “Day and Co.”. Artillery towers, armored shells for chimneys, steering wheels, practical items and other equipment were manufactured at the Izhora plant. At the end of 1863, reports from America on tests of Passaic type ships arrived at the Marine Technical Committee , from which it followed that the ships had a constructive trim on the stern due to the location of the artillery tower (approximately mid-section). To eliminate this defect, Rear Admiral S. S. Lesovsky made changes to the specification of armadillos - gun turrets were shifted 90 cm to the bow . This was only possible on the Veshchun and Koldun battleships, since the construction of the remaining ships was proceeding rapidly and parts of the structures were already made - they reduced the reservation of the wheelhouse from 279.4 mm to 203.2 mm. Also above the steam boilers and near the chimney, iron beams were laid instead of wooden beams; the thickness of the wheelhouse armor was increased to eleven layers; the diameter of the chimney is expanded by 250 mm ^{[1] [8]} .

Official Bookmark

On November 19, 1863, an official laying took place simultaneously on the Galerny Ostrovok and on the New Admiralty of the battleships Unicorn, Sagittarius, Hurricane and Typhon. On November 27, the ceremony of laying the “Sorcerer” and “The Commissary” ^[1] was held in Soring. On November 28, 1863, N. A. Arceulov died ^[9] ; A. Ya. Gezehus, N. G. Korshikov, and X. V. Prokhorov were appointed in his place ^[10] .

December 3, 1863 were officially laid "Lava" and "Perun" at the plant Semyannikova and Poletiki. Their hulls, artillery towers and wheelhouses were built from English and Prussian iron. Oak and pine were used for lining under armor, deck decking and for interior lining ^[11] . And on the 12th, the Latnik and the Battleship were laid at the Carr and MacPherson factory ^[1] .

The construction of all the ships of the series went at a fast pace, even on the night shift. At the suggestion of A. Ya. Gesekhus, the inner and last rows of the armor of the artillery tower were placed on a dense sheep felt, which allowed to significantly reduce the noise from nuclei entering the tower walls. According to the initial construction plan, all steam engines with boilers and guns were supposed to be installed at construction plants during the completion period, but in view of the difficulties in navigating ships to Kronstadt due to increased draft, this plan was changed ^[1] .

Launching and completion

The descent of Latnik (Lieutenant-Captain Prince Wadbolsky) was appointed on March 9, 1864, for which, opposite the boathouse of the Baltic construction, foundry and mechanical establishment, Carr and MacPherson, ice 80 by 15 fathoms was cut down. Two cable chains of 1½ inches were laid as delays behind the chilsons and filed through the middle hatch onto the palms of the slipway. To protect the steering wheel and propeller from hitting the ice, a wide and inclined board is installed. At 3 p.m. slipway blocks and supports were knocked out, then the upper ends of the runners were cut off, but the ship did not move. Then they brought a hawser from one side and tried to pull through the block manually, but it broke off three times. The next attempt was made using cable, laid on both sides by skids and two jacks, only then the housing began to feed very slowly. After 7 pm, when 24 feet were covered, work was stopped. The reason for the failure was called weathered and frozen fat, laid almost two weeks before the appointed date of descent. On March 10, at 9 a.m., attempts resumed. By 11½ hours, another 20 feet were covered, after which both runners were laid on the hoist. At one o’clock the movement accelerated and, gradually increasing the course, the ship went down to the water. As a precaution, no one was on the deck. The stern deepened by 6 feet 9 inches; the nose ha 3 feet 8 inches. The trim was 3 feet 1 inch. After the runners were lifted, the draft was 6 feet 11 inches and 3 feet 9 inches, respectively. A 3/8 inch fracture appeared only the next day. According to the opinion, this was due to the fact that there was a very low temperature and the deck, tightened by frost, did not allow the tip of the ship to fall, and the next day it warmed up in the bright sun and stretched out. After the descent, there was no water in the hold, but the next day it rose to 8 inches and arrived 1 inch per day through kingstones. By the time of the descent, the body "Latnik" was completely finished. It remained to establish a steam engine with boilers, tower mechanisms, adjust and hang up the armor. Two-thirds of the total number of wooden chucks and beams that make up the lining were also installed. The installation of bulkheads and coal pits was almost over. In total, before the descent, about 35,000 pounds of iron were spent on the construction. By the beginning of summer, steam engines, artillery towers with mechanisms, windlass and cannons were made in the workshops of the institution and installed. The contract value of the ship amounted to 568 956 rubles 50 kopecks in silver ^[12] .

The launch ceremony of the Armadillo (the captain-lieutenant Y. I. Kupreyanov ) began on March 12 at 12 in the presence of Adjutant General N.K. Krabbe, the managing director of the Naval Ministry of the Russian Empire. The descent process took place as well as "Latnik", but lasted for one day. By the time of the descent, the hull was completely finished, they even managed to fit and hang five-layer armor on the hull, except for the bow and stern overhangs about 30 feet long. It also remained to finish the internal ironwork: the completion of bulkheads, coal boxes, and more. Steam engines, artillery towers with mechanisms, windlass and cannons at the time of descent continued to be manufactured in the workshops of the institution, preparing for their installation by early summer. More than 36,000 pounds of iron were spent on the construction of the Battleship. The total amount paid for the ship was equal to the amount for the battleship "Latnik" and amounted to 568 956 rubles 50 kopecks in silver ^[12] .

By the time of the descent to Veshchun and Sorcerer, all work on the hull was completed, and in general they were much more ready than the two previous ships. They also laid the inner (first) sheets of artillery towers on them and mounted the lower knees of the chimneys. In addition, on the "Veshchun" they began to drive armor plates into place in the bow. The Veshchun (commander-lieutenant commander Karpov) and the Sorcerer (lieutenant commander N.I. Kaznakov ) were lowered from the gutting islands of Gutuevsky Island on April 26 to the sounds of the anthem “ God Save the Tsar! ”In the presence of the Director of the Shipbuilding Department of Rear Admiral A. V. Voevodsky . Also at the ceremony were attended by pupils of the Naval Cadet Corps, Artillery and Engineering Schools. After the descent, Rear Admiral A.V. Voevodsky traveled around them on a small port steamer. На воде «Вещун» начал набирать воду через клапаны и краны холодильников, что было исправлено к утру следующего дня и канонерская лодка отвела броненосцы к пристани около эллингов для окончательной отделки. Постройка комплектов корпусов кораблей, изготовление башен и паровых механизмов в Бельгии, сборку их в России, считая доставку материалов казёнными средствами на Гутуевский остров, обошлись казне около 619 000 рублей серебром, или 309 500 рублей серебром для каждого броненосца ^[13] .

С этого момента по распоряжению начальства Морского ведомства было решено палубную броню броненосцев, после её подгонки и нумеровки, сдавать в порт на хранение ^[14] .

У пристани в течение месяца на «Колдун» и «Вещун» были установлены паровые машины, как судовые, так и башенные, и смонтированы котлы к ним. Окончена отделка и внутренние столярные работы. Позже были закончены башни и смонтированы ходовые рубки на них ^[13] .

15 мая с верфи Нового адмиралтейства спустили на воду броненосец «Ураган» (капитан-лейтенант Н. А. Фесун).

«Стрелец» и «Единорог» спустили на Галерном Островке 21 мая 1864 года, после чего их отвели на завод Берда для установки механизмов и окончательной достройки.

27 мая 1864 года с верфи Семянникова и Полетики спущен первый из двух строившихся там броненосцев «Лава» (капитан-лейтенант А. С. Маневский ). 18 июня спущен второй броненосец «Перун» (капитан-лейтенант барон Клод 2-й). К моменту спуска на воду, корпуса обоих кораблей были совершенно окончены и проходили работы по настилу палуб. Артиллерийские башни и башенные механизмы, воздушные вентиляторы уже были собраны и находились на заводе для обоих броненосцев. На «Лаве» шёл процесс установки котлов. До спуска на воду на их постройку истрачено 81 210 пудов железа. Общая контрактная сумма за работы по построению лодок и изготовлению башен и механизмов составила 488 950 рублей за каждую. По спуску на воду «Лава» углубилась носом на 7 футов и кормой на 8 футов 1 дюйм, с дифферентом в 1 фут 1 дюйм. «Перун» углубился носом на 6 футов 4 дюйма и кормой на 8 футов 1 дюйм, с дифферентом в 1 фут 7 дюймов. «Лава» набрала воды 1/2 дюйма, а «Перун» был полностью сух. У пристани было начато внутреннее устройство и окончательная отделка ^[11] .

4 июля на Новом адмиралтействе был спущен на воду «Тифон» (капитан-лейтенант Федоровский). Так же как и «Ураган», построен на счёт казны с тем же количеством израсходованных до спуска материалов и порядком цен. После спуска на воду, перелому оказалось 1/2 дюйма. Воды лодка не набрала ^[11] .

При достройке «Вещун» и «Колдун» были вооружены, в качестве опыта по проводке через бар Невы в Кронштадт. Для этого их посадили, по возможности, на ровный киль. Максимальная осадка на одном корабле составила 10 футов 1 дюйм. Буксировка на проводных ботах прошла 25 июня. Бар был пройден при отметке на плавучем маяке, стоящем у бара, 9½ фута. Тем самым стало понятно, что и другие броненосцы смогут пройти бар без затруднения и без работ подъёма на боты. Далее корабли под парами зашли в гавань Кронштадта для окончания работ. 14 июля они вышли на восточный рейд Кронштадта и вступили в состав эскадры броненосных судов контр-адмирала И. Ф. Лихачёва. 15 июля эскадру посетил Государь Император ^[15] .

5 октября 1864 года, самыми последними, переведены «Перун» и «Лава» для окончания строительства и зимовки с заводов Семянникова и Полетики к Новому адмиралтейству ^[16] .

Trials

"Veshchun" went to the factory test machines on July 18. The Veshchun walked between Kronstadt and St. Petersburg for two hours. During the test, there were no failures in the main mechanisms, their quiet and calm work was also noted. The battleship showed a 5-knot course at 14 pounds of steam and 58 engine revolutions and an 8.4-knot course at 18 pounds of steam and 72 revolutions. With an almost full supply of provisions, a third of the total cargo of coal and ballast instead of cores, the ship went deep by 11 feet, and 9 feet 1 inch. On the same day, a little later, there was a sample of the "Sorcerer" who was given a move without lifting the anchor ^[15] .

The official tests of the “Sorcerer” and “Veshchun” were held on July 21 in the presence of the commission and members of the shipbuilding technical committee. The Veshchun anchored at about 11 o’clock, after which he embarked on a large raid escorted by the steamer Vladimir under the flag of the head of a squadron of armored ships. There they met the Oslyabya frigates who had returned from the first American expedition the day before under the flag of Rear Admiral S. S. Lesovsky and “ Relight ”, from which they greeted the battleship with loud “cheers” . In low speed (5.1 knots), he went on a large raid where he gave full speed (66 revolutions of the screw, 18 pounds of steam). The ship has developed 6½ knots. Next, side-rolling tests took place at the same speeds and 19 pounds of steam. Bad weather and strong excitement did not allow me to go to the measured mile . Going to the eastern raid, having, as before, the number of revolutions and steam, the speed reached 7½ knots when the waves were aft. On the eastern roadstead, cornering tests were carried out - during 7½ knots, the steering wheel was put left on board, the circulation (full circle) was about two hull lengths in 4 minutes 30 seconds. Also, during the tests, ship mechanisms, fan and tower mechanisms were checked. The artillery tower described a complete revolution in 1 minute 25 seconds in smooth running. Based on the results of the tests, it was concluded that the ship has a completely calm course and that the helm is well-tuned on the go, and a little tight with a small course. After completing the test, the "Veshchun" anchored, and the commission moved to the "Sorcerer" ^[15] .

The “Sorcerer” was tested on the eastern raid of Kronstadt, to which he came upwind with a 6¾-knot course (68 revolutions of the car and 20 pounds of steam). In a raid in the wind, the ship developed 7½ knots at 64 revolutions and 19 pounds of steam. In the test for agility, the best result was obtained, with the same circulation rate than that of the Veshchun - 4 minutes 15 seconds from the left to side command. The artillery tower described a complete revolution in 1 minute 32 seconds. Then the path was reached to the Fox Nose Meridian, after which the “Sorcerer” returned and anchored. At this point, this phase of the test program for both ships was completed. In Kronstadt, they began to prepare them for artillery tests, final submission commissions and acceptance into the treasury ^[15] .

The full test voyage Veshchuna began on August 3, 1864. He, under the command of Lieutenant Commander N. I. Kaznakov, left Kronshtadt, escorted by the steamer Vladimir, under the shield pennant of Rear Admiral I. F. Likhachev, through Transund to Revel . The transition amounted to 20 with a few hours. In Reval, the ship stood for three days, during which it was open to the public. On the morning of August 8, the Veshchun left the port and moved to Helsingfors . An armadillo was also available for visiting at this port. On the 10th, I.F. Likhachev transferred his pennant to the Horseman clipper and went to sea. On August 11, the Veshchun set off for the island of Stura Pelling for trials, accompanied by Vladimir. During the outbreak of bad weather, the battleship on the move at 5¾ knots was checked for leaks, which it withstood perfectly. Due to the severely worsened weather, further experiments were postponed, and the ships moved to the parking lot to Rochensalm , where they stayed until the 14th, then moved over the island of Pitkonas and further to Transund. On the 16th, the Ermine came under the brad pennant of the squadron commander. The next day, the ships joined the sea together, after which they switched to the East Kronstadt raid ^[17] . During these crossings, the Veshchun skerry tested sea disturbances in various circumstances and asserted that all ships of the Hurricane type can serve in the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea: steering from the wheelhouse through cut through narrow windows is “very convenient and with an easy fast habit, it presents no difficulties . ” It was also noted "... his car is working very well, giving at 14 f. a pair and 66 revolutions, 7 and 6½ knots of the stroke, which was not even among the Americans. The fan machine fulfills its purpose so well that with completely closed portholes and closed hatches - so that there weren’t a single hole left on the waved deck - the air in the deck and in the cabins was completely clean, and four lamps lit on cockpit, burned as bright and light as when the hatch was open. The ventilation of the cars at that time, passing through the corridors from the deck into the openings of the chimneys, was also very good, and the temperature of the engine room, after an hour and a half, was 26 ° -27 °, which is difficult to achieve on large vessels ” ^[18] .

On September 3, a review of the newly built armored ships ( Firstborn , Veshchun and Sorcerer) of Rear Admiral I.F. Likhachev’s squadron at the Transund raid began. Admiral N.K. Krabbe, the manager of the Ministry of the Sea, and the commission, having finished the “Firstborn” show, moved to “Veshchun” and an alarm was struck on their orders. In 5 minutes the deck was cleared and the rails, handrails, racks, coaming, portholes and hatchways with armored covers were torn down. Next, the Manager of the Ministry of the Sea moved to the "Sorcerer" and from him watched the shooting of the "Veshchun". Two single shots and two in one gulp were fired at the shield from a distance of 3 cables. Neither single shots nor volley did not cause the slightest tremor of the hull, and in the tower the blow was no stronger than on an open battery. Powder smoke from the tower was discharged quite quickly. The "Sorcerer" began to test with the command "to anchor . " In 10 minutes, rowing vessels were lifted and transferred from one sloop beam to another. Shooting was carried out from 2 to 3 knots. It was also fired two separate shots and two in one gulp. Further, the "Veshchun" fired four shots from the course. After that, both ships began to operate the general line of the squadron ^[19] .

On September 4, the Armadillo came out to test for agility. He made a full circulation from the “left on board” command (steering angle: 40 °) in 5 minutes 5 seconds, from the “right on board” command (steering angle: 40½ °) in 4 minutes 5 seconds. In this case, the screw worked from 60 to 65 revolutions at a steam pressure of 16 to 20 pounds, the trim was 2 feet 10 inches. A few days later passed the official test of the steam engine. September 16, in the presence of members of the Naval Technical Committee, additional tests for speed, agility according to a special program, and artillery fire began ^{[19] [16]} .

After finishing, the “Hurricane” left the New Admiralty through a bar in tow of two gunboats and the Slavyanka steamboat. After milestones, it spread its own pairs and arrived safely in Kronstadt on September 22. In Kronstadt, port barriers, guns and wheelhouse were replaced in 10 days. By October 3, the Hurricane was ready for testing. The Battleship arrived in Kronstadt in the same way, but the tests began a few days earlier ^[19] .

On September 27, Typhon arrived in Kronstadt, on October 1 the Latnik was fully armed, on October 2 the Tornado , Sagittarius and Unicorn. All the battleships were transferred by bots across the river bar, then they scattered the pairs and reached Kronstadt without any help except the Sagittarius and the Unicorn, which they brought in tow. During the transition, some commanders conducted tests for the agility of their battleships. In Kronstadt, the installation of felling and artillery on the Unicorn, Sagittarius and Typhon, and the final finishing of Latnik and Tornado ^{[16], began} .

October 2 "Latnik" went on the first test of their machines and guns. October 3 at the "Battleship" was tested a new gear tower mechanism made of copper, instead of cast iron, which broke several times. According to the test results, it was installed on Latnik. On October 8, “Latnik” undertook a preliminary test of mechanisms with a new gear ^[16] .

October 9, "Battleship" for the second time went on a speed test with members of the Naval Technical Committee. But due to a fairly fresh wind, they limited their passage to a large raid, however, the indicated speed of 8.19 knots was very satisfactory. October 12, he went to the Fox Nose for artillery fire. It passed along a milestone of 14 rounds of combat charges from a distance of 1½ to 4 cables , the commission noted very hefty and close to the target hits. The concussion inside the artillery tower, like on the other ships of the series, was rather weak. The tower described a full circle in 45 seconds very smoothly and calmly, the stop occurred instantly. The rollback of the right gun was from 11 to 15½ inches, the left from 22 to 29 inches. October 14, “Latnik” set off for the measured mile. The maximum speed, composed of passages in both directions in the wind and against, amounted to 8.18 knots. The average speed measured from the corner of Merchant Harbor to the end of the test mile after the first transition was 7½ knots. Despite the fact that the steam in the main mechanisms was kept very uneven, because the stokers had a lack of practice. The commission concluded that of all the battleships who had been tested for speed, Latnik has the best speed, but the Armadillo is not much inferior to him in this. On detailed turning tests from the “right on board” command , the ship described a turn of 16 points in 2 minutes 20 seconds. Upon returning to Kronstadt, the “Battleship” and “Latnik” began to prepare for acceptance into the treasury. On October 17, “Latnik” went to the eastern raid for a practical shot from guns, and “Hurricane” to measure their cars for a measured mile ^[16] . In the first way of guiding artillery towers according to the British Captain Colz’s system, they tested it on Latnik. From the first two shots, the “apple” of the shield was hit from a distance of 4 cables ^[20] .

As a result of the tests, the following shortcomings were found out: in the artillery towers on some ships, suffocating gas from shots was accumulated to a large extent, due to which the servant was able to act effectively (eliminated by extending gun barrels from the turret, for which the embrasures were expanded to 29 inches and the embrasure length increased by how much the machine allowed); aiming was complicated by the small size of the embrasures with shutters (eliminated by increasing the size of the embrasures) ^[20] .

Housing and Add-in

In general, the design of armored tower boats was similar to the American prototype . The total displacement is up to 1653 tons, the displacement under the project is 1565.87 tons, in particular the displacement of the upper part is 757.62 tons and 808.25 tons of the lower part. Displacement of battleships by type: from 1476 to 1565 tons ^[21] , the actual displacement amounted to 1382 to 1666 tons in navigations ^[22] . The case was made up of upper (longer) and lower parts. The lower part was in the form of flat-bottomed vessels, and the upper one was a raft with correctly pointed extremities forming overhangs. Total drill weight: 1350 tons ^[21] .

The largest hull length with armor is 61.26 meters (201 ft); length without overhangs 52.9 meters (173 feet 7 inches); the length between the pins is 48.51 meters (159 feet 2 inches). The greatest width with armor is 14.02 meters (46 feet), the width without overhangs is 12.6 meters (41 feet 5 inches), and the ship itself is 11.78 meters (38 feet 8 inches). The beams in the middle were 0.127 meters (5 inches) dead, and the decks were 2.13 meters (7 feet) in length in the middle. The depth of the intrum between the upper edge of the beams and the outer skin of the keel is 3.6 meters (11 feet 10 inches). The maximum draft is 3.48 meters (11 feet 5 inches), an average of 3.3 meters. Freeboard height from the waterline 0.46 m (1 ft 6 in). In the bow overhang there was a well for one short four-leg retractable anchor (later called “monitor”), the aft overhang was used to cover the steering wheel and propeller from shells. The lining under the overhangs in the bow and stern was wooden, the space under the overhangs along the side remained free. At Veshchun and Sorcerer, a part of the wooden lining under the overhang in the bow was replaced with iron strips with a thickness of 127 mm, which made it possible to strengthen the fastening of the armor sheets. Also on these two ships, they achieved increased buoyancy by sewing up the space under the overhang along the side with wooden beams ^[1] . The sides in the upper part were covered with plating of 3.9 inches of oak and pine beams. The nasal extremity was designed so that it could serve as a ram. There were no bulwarks ^[21] .

The hull set is transverse, frames from iron corners 100 × 12.7 mm. The case was sheathed with sheet metal with a thickness of 12.7 mm. All beams were made of whole Courland oak 300 × 300 mm, with the exception of Veshchun and Sorcerer, where the beams above the steam boilers and near the chimney were iron and the Lavas and Perun, where all the beams were made of iron. In the nose, from the frame 51, there were mounted pilots of 50 mm iron, three for each beam. Beams in the stern were supported only by one central piller, additional support was provided by longitudinal bulkheads from 53 to 93 frames. Deck decking consisted of two layers of pine beams and laid on sheets of deck armor laid directly on the beams, with the exception of Veschun and Sorcerer, where there was a reverse order - deck beams were laid on the beams, and the armor sheets were stacked on top. Bulkheads divided the hull into six compartments ^[1] . The numbering of the compartments went from aft to bow: in the first there were a battery of electric telegraph and a room for mechanical supplies; in the second - the engine room; in the third - coal boxes; in the fourth - auxiliary mechanisms, galley and shtuls; in the fifth - officers' cabins, crew quarters and a crevice camera; in the sixth, a windlass ^[21] . Two bulkheads mounted on 51 and 61 frames were waterproof of 12.7 mm thick iron. The keel was box-type, formed from sheet iron with a thickness of 18.9 mm, the stem and the post were forged ^[1] .

The wheelhouse, which served as both a steering and a battlehouse, was arranged on a fixed platform on the roof of the artillery tower. Her fence was made of iron sheets 2.54 cm (1 in) thick. Bed nets were located along the perimeter of the roof of the tower, which served as additional protection for the cabin. A tarpaulin awning covered the cabin from above. The total weight of the cabin was 7650 pounds ^{[1] [21]} .

Booking

According to the initial project of N. A. Artseulov, it was assumed that the sides, turret and wheelhouse with inch armor should be completely booked in several layers of the production of the John Brown and Co. factory in Sheffield, but because of the long terms of its production, this idea was abandoned. The decision was made in the direction of using domestic armor, especially since by June 1863 Russian plants had mastered the entire production cycle of armor plates up to 25.4 mm thick ^[1] . The armor was supplied “from the treasury” or ordered through the Shipbuilding Department at private factories ^[21] .

The sides were booked in five layers: the first three layers, each 15 mm thick, the fourth 12 mm and the fifth 7.5 mm. The artillery tower was booked in eleven layers, the wheelhouse - in eight, the chimney casing to a height of 2.1 meters - in six. At Veshchun and Sorcerer, the cabin reservation was increased to eleven layers. The armor for “Hurricane”, “Typhon”, “Sagittarius”, “Unicorn” and “Veschun” after manufacturing and fitting in place, was numbered and handed over to the warehouse for storage, as well as fixing bolts to it ^[1] .

The armor plates were fastened in the following way: the inner layer was fastened with screws with a thread on the casing, and the remaining 10 layers were tied together with riveted bolts. On the battleships “Veshchun” and “Sorcerer”, the armor plates were bolted by the method of bundling sheets during the construction of iron bridges in Belgium, and their heads were covered with vertical iron sheets in the genus of pilasters ½ inch thick. In total, for each armadillo it was used: for the hull 330 sheets of armor, with a total weight of 12,740 pounds and 600 sheets of armor for the deck, with a total weight of 6,740 pounds ^[21] .

Main mechanisms and propulsion

The engine room with coal boxes was in the stern . The main mechanisms consisted of one horizontal two-cylinder steam engine of the Gomfreys system and two tubular boilers of the Morton system. The heating area of ​​the boilers was 290.7 m², steam pressure 1.4 kg / cm². Номинальная мощность по серии — 160 сил, общая мощность составляла от 340 до 529 индикаторных л. from. каждых главных механизмов. Дым выводился через одну трубу высотой 2,33 метра (7 футов 8 дюймов), расположенную за артиллерийской башней. Для броненосцев «Вещун» и «Колдун» диаметр дымовых труб был увеличен на 250 мм. Три угольных ящика, размещённых по-бортно и в центре, вмещали 190 тонн угля ^[1] .

На заводе Берда изготовлялись главные механизмы для броненосцев «Стрелец» и «Единорог». На литейных и механических заведениях Карра и Макферсона в Чекушах для «Латника», «Броненосеца», «Вещуна» и «Колдуна». Новое адмиралтейство изготавливало для «Урагана» и «Тифона». Для «Лавы» и «Перуна» Ижорские заводы ^[1] .

Движителем являлся один четырёхлопастной гребной винт диаметром 3,65 метра (12 футов). Скорость (на разных кораблях) достигала от 6,5 до 8 уз. Запаса угля хватало на 10 суток 6-узловым ходом ^[1] . В качестве вспомогательного движителя использовались паруса. Курс задавался одним балансирным рулём.

Вспомогательные механизмы

В качестве вспомогательных механизмов устанавливались две паровые двухцилиндровые машины, мощностью 20 и 15 л. с., производства адмиралтейских Ижорских заводов. Одна из них служила для привода машинного вентилятора, другая для подъёма и поворота артиллерийской башни. Пар для этих машин поступал из котлов главного механизма. На «Вещуне» и «Колдуне» была установлена 30-сильная башенная паровая машина. Башенные механизмы для «Латника», «Броненосца», «Вещуна» и «Колдуна» — самими строителями корпусов, для «Лавы», «Перуна», «Урагана» и «Тифона» — на адмиралтейских Ижорских заводах, а для «Стрельца» и «Единорога» — на заводах Берда ^[21] .

Для откачки воды из машинного отделения служили две центробежные помпы системы Гвина общей производительностью 1309,28 литров в минуту (144 галона каждая); и одна центробежная помпа приводимая в действие от пара с общих котлов, производительностью в 4546,09 литров в минуту (1000 галлонов). Из подбашенного отделения, при машине для вентиляции, центробежная помпа системы Гвина могла откачать 1336,59 литров в минуту (360 галлонов) она приводилась в действие от самой машины для вентиляции. Наружная помпа была производительностью 409,15 литров в минуту (90 галлонов). В жилом отделении воду откачивали две помпы системы Даутона, вывод проходил через палубу. Охлаждение пара в холодильнике происходило выкачиваемой водой из трюма, а воздух перекачивался воздушным насосом в 2909,5 литров в минуту (640 галлонов) ^[21] .

Рангоут , такелаж , паруса , гребные суда , якорное устройство , опреснители , камбузы , помпы, навигационные инструменты, штурвалы и все предметы снабжения и прочее оборудование поставлялись «от казны» с адмиралтейского Ижорского завода или заказывались через Кораблестроительный департамент на частных заводах ^[21] .

Артиллерийская башня и вооружение

Оба орудия главного калибра размещались в железной артиллерийской башне системы Эриксона. Они производились на Ижорском заводе. Башня располагалась примерно на миделе корпуса и опиралась всей массой на опорное палубное кольцо. Высота её 2,74 метра (9 футов), внутренний диаметр 6,38 метра. Крыша башни была сделана из железных листов толщиной 12,7 мм, они стелились на железные рельсы уложенные с шагом 75 мм один от другого. В ней были сделаны отверстия для вентиляции и два люка для лучшего обзора с приспособлениями, служившими для наводки орудий, по типу башен системы Кольза. Главное различие башен Кольза от башен Эриксона состояло в том, что вращение первых проходило на катках по погону, положенному на платформу ниже верхней палубы ^[1] . Для увеличения крепости основания башни было положено железное кольцо толщиной 5 дюймов и высотой 15 дюймов. Общий вес башни с рубкой и бимсами, но без станков и орудий составлял 13 380 пудов ^[21] .

Наведение орудий по горизонту производилось поворотом башни. Для поворота башню приходилось приподнимать. Подъём и опускание производился приводом от вспомогательной паровой машины. Опорой для подъёма служила центральная колонна диаметром 305 мм, она монтировалась на днищевой фундамент. Для произведения выстрела башня опускалась. Башня описывала полный круг от 35 до 105 секунд без учета времени подъёма. Движение башни было плавным и спокойным. Управление ей происходило от ручки, стопорение было моментальным ^[1] .

В небольшом отделении под башней размещались вентиляционный и башенный механизмы. Пол этого помещения был полностью закрыт, что облегчало подачу зарядов в башню, производившуюся через него. К носу от этого помещения находилась крюйт-камера и бомбовый погреб ^[1] .

Команда и обитаемость

По штатному расписанию от 1865 года команда состояла из 8 офицеров и 88 унтер-офицеров и матросов . По штатному расписанию от 1877 года было 10 офицеров и 100 унтер-офицеров и матросов ^[22] . Каюты и жилые помещения для команды размещались в носовой части.

Оборудование навигации и связи

Корпус монитора «Стрелец» находится в Кронштадте , на Морском заводе, в гавани «Военного угла». (Привязка этого корпуса к «Стрельцу» сделана зам. директора Таллинского морского музея В. С. Копельманом). Другой «кандидат» на этот корпус — однотипный монитор «Единорог», использовавшийся в качестве блокшива , а затем плашкоута Кронштадтского яхт-клуба.

• Лысенок В. И. Броненосные башенные лодки типа «Ураган». Сборник статей и документов (рус.) // Судостроение : Журнал. - SPb. , 1985. — № 3 . — С. 69—72 .
• Лысенок В. И. Первые русские мониторы. Сборник статей и документов . - SPb. : Судостроение, 1999. — 26 с. — (Боевые корабли мира).
• Грибовский В., Черников И. Башенные лодки (мониторы) /// Броненосцы береговой обороны в Российском флоте // Броненосец «Адмирал Ушаков». - SPb. : Судостроение, 1996. — 244 с. — (Замечательные корабли). — 3000 экз. — ISBN 5-7355-0356-1 .
• Монитор «Стрелец» 1864 г: Проект спасения и музеефикации / Редакторы: О. С. Жукова, И. В. Ассеев. - SPb. : Типография «MCMG», 2015. — 64 с.
• Амирханов Л. И. Морское оружие. Артиллерия российских мониторов. — Москва: Гангут, 1998. — 32 с.
• Галлай М. Л. Дорога вверх — первые мечты // Жизнь Арцеулова . — М. : Политиздат, 1985. — 112 с.
• Zolotorev V.A., Kozlov I.A. Construction of an armored fleet of coastal action // Three Centuries of the Russian Photo. - SPb. : Polygon, 2003 .-- 112 p. - ISBN 5-89173-275-0 .
• The Maritime Collection Journal No. 4 of 1864
• Magazine "Marine collection" No. 8 for 1864
• The Maritime Collection Journal No. 9 of 1864
• The Maritime Collection Journal No. 10 of 1864
• Magazine "Marine collection" No. 77 for 1864
• Magazine "Marine collection" No. 1 for 1865
• Magazine "Marine collection" No. 11 for 1866

• Monitor “Sagittarius” Rescue and Museumification Project