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I have the honor to welcome all those who have looked into the topic of ship suggestions, gentlemen and ladies!
Today I am happy to offer you a proposal to introduce into the game and add to the development plan - ‘Squadron Battleship’(pre-dreadnought) “Emperor Alexander III” - which not only actually turned out to be the lead ship in the “Borodino” class, but was also the first in the training and valor of its Guard Crew.
So, the details of the history of the best ship of the Russian Imperial Baltic Fleet.
History
Pre-dreadnought is named in honor of the Russian Monarch, father and predecessor of Nicholas II
Attention, hidden content in spoilers.
Spoiler: Construction before the storm
At the end of the 19th century, when the Russian Empire focused its entire attention on the Far East, it adopted, among other things, a special shipbuilding program that included the development and creation of modern battleships for defense in a possible future conflict. The growth of contradictions with the interests of the Japanese Empire, aggravated by its growing military power, required a significant strengthening of the Russian fleet. The program “For the needs of the Far East” of 1898 allowed such construction to begin, but this was still not enough - in addition to the 10 ships already under construction and existing, another 5 were needed.
Russian the Naval Ministry considered various options for new projects, for which orders were sent out in advance to domestic and foreign shipyards. The battleship “Retvizan” was under construction in the USA, the Baltic shipyards were completing the “Peresvet” series, but in the class of heavy ships, the battleship “Tsesarevich” proposed by the French shipbuilding company “Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée” looked the most successful and promising. This ship, designed by engineer Lagan, was planned to be armed with 4 305-mm guns and 12 152-mm guns with wide firing sectors placed in turrets.
Thus, according to the terms of the contract, upon completion of the construction of the “Tsesarevich”, Russia was to receive its drawings in order to build similar ships on its own. However, the construction of this pre-dreadnought was proceeding too slowly for various reasons, while the reasons that prompted the construction itself to begin had not gone away. In addition, even taking into account the full potential of the “Tsesarevich”, its design was not without its shortcomings.
As a result, Russian Empire was forced to begin developing its own battleship project, taking the sketches of the “Tsesarevich” as a basis, with the expectation of a more perfect result relative to the basic design. The final version was completed by the Russian shipbuilding engineer Skvortsov: it became 5 planned battleships of the “Borodino” type, named after the first ship formally approved for construction. It was this type, successfully mastered by shipbuilding in large series, that could become the backbone of the Russian Imperial Fleet for many years to come.
Pre-dreadnought “Emperor Alexander III” on the stocks of the Baltic Shipyard
However, the first battleship on the list (“Borodino”) did not become the ‘head’ of the class.
In fact, the ‘squadron battleship’(pre-dreadnought) “Emperor Alexander III”, which turned out to be the first in the series, was laid down at the Baltic Shipyard on May 11, 1900, ahead of “Borodino” and “Orel” by 14 and 9 days, respectively.
The closest to its prototype, “Alexander” had a slightly different hull from the other four ships of the series, without extending the deck of the side sections towards the forecastle, as well as a different, more powerful power plant and speed - 16,225 and 18 knots, compared to 15,800 and the design 17.7 knots for the rest of the series.
The steam engines for “Alexander” were manufactured by the Franco-Russian Plant based on the model of the “Tsesarevich”, while the steam engines for the “Borodino”, “Orel”, “Knyaz Suvorov” and “Slava” were manufactured by the Baltic Plant.
Thus, even before the launch, the “Emperor Alexander III” had to be the best. The best possible crew was assigned to the ship, staffing the battleship with Russian naval guards, exemplary sailors and officers. Captain 1st rank Nikolai Mikhailovich Bukhvostov was appointed commander - a direct descendant of the “First Russian Soldier” - whose qualifications and devotion to the Homeland were unparalleled.
Pre-dreadnought in the final stages of completion 1903
Meanwhile, the Baltic Shipyard was handling the order faster than other Russian shipyards, so that the battleship’s actual trials began on August 22, 1903. At the same time, at the insistence of Vice-Admiral Makarov, a decision was made to install anti-mine nets on the “Alexander” and subsequent ships. Sea trials were conducted at the end of September, which, however, required minor design changes, and the first artillery firing took place in mid-October.
Pre-dreadnought during sea trials 1903
Admiral Makarov drew attention to the insufficient rate of fire of the ship’s guns, due to the less than successful design of the breech, so the Putilov Plant urgently took up the possible correction of this shortcoming, as a result achieving an almost twofold improvement in the rate of fire of the main caliber for the “Alexander III” and the “Knyaz Suvorov”, which was being built on the same slipway. The “Emperor Alexander III” itself officially entered the Fleet on October 12, 1903, thereby becoming the first in the series in terms of laying down time and commissioning time.
Pre-dreadnought after commissioning 1903
The ship’s trials served as the basis for a number of changes in the design of other ships of the same type and the standardization of construction solutions. But not everything was brought to perfection, and the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War forced the remaining battleships to be completed in a significant hurry so that four ships - “Slava” did not have time to be built - were ready to move to the Far East no later than July 1, 1904. But this plan also underwent changes due to the death of Vice-Admiral Makarov on the battleship “Petropavlovsk” - the Russian Imperial Pacific Fleet needed reinforcements immediately.
Having received reports and dispatches from Port-Arthur, Emperor Nicholas II decided to send the Baltic Fleet to help the besieged fortress.
Spoiler: Preparations for the military campaign
Pre-dreadnought at the start of preparations for the campaign 1904
Under the constant supervision of the Naval Technical Committee, the formation of a Separate Detachment of Ships began, which soon received the name of the 2nd Pacific Squadron. The Squadron was personally headed by the Chief of the Main Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Zinovy Petrovich Rozhestvensky, and his first task was to assemble, train and coordinate the ships, some of which had not even been completed yet.
But meanwhile, it was the new ships of the 1st Armored Detachment of the Squadron that were to form its core - the flag of which the commander raised on the battleship “Knyaz Suvorov”. “Emperor Alexander III”, whose crew was well trained, was to become the second in line. “Alexander III” was tasked with being ready to lead the Squadron itself if necessary, and to serve as an example to the others.
But despite the fact that the Squadron accepted many volunteers, and unlike the Guards Crew, on many other ships of the Squadron the crews were staffed from reserve sailors and recruits, a percentage of which was present even on the Flagship, which was staffed well above its staff - and there was too little time left for training for them to be effective.
In addition, the Fleet was actively re-equipping - guns were supplied with optical sights, radio and telegraph were installed on ships, which, in the conditions of the actual lack of time for preparation, only worsened the situation. But the task facing the squadron being formed was by no means a joke: it was necessary to cross the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in good order, move to the Pacific, where, having entered into battle with the Japanese fleet, unblock Port-Arthur.
Pre-dreadnought at the Kronstadt roadstead 1904
The Squadron set out on its first training cruise on August 12, 1904, choosing the Gulf of Finland as the route to practice the actions of personnel and train the ships in basic maneuvering. Seventeen days later, after a short stay in Kronstadt, the “Emperor Alexander III”, together with other ships of the detachment, again weighed anchor to move to Revel. There, combat training began.
From September 3, for two weeks, the Squadron went out several times for artillery and mine exercises, firing at static and moving target shields. On September 9 and 10, the Squadron conducted maneuvering exercises - due to lack of practice, the ships’ crews did not have the proper ability to stay in formation. It was decided to carry out the remaining training after the start of the Campaign.
Pre-dreadnought at Revel roadstead, September 1904
On September 27, the Imperial Review of the ships of the Squadron sent to the Far East took place, during which the Emperor, among other things, visited all the available battleships and also watched the demonstration firing. Arriving at the Alexander III, the Emperor praised the crew for their exemplary service and the best training indicators, and also thanked them for the officers and sailors of the ship serving with honor on the ship named after His Father(the previous Emperor). At the end of the review, the ships anchored in the Libau roadstead.
2nd Squadron at the Libau roadstead 1904
This was the last stop of the Squadron before heading to the theater of military operations and the last port on the Russian Baltic border.
Having completed the collection and replenishment of supplies, after a number of small and annoying delays, on a gloomy rainy day on October 2, 1904, the 2nd Pacific Squadron weighed anchor as a whole and set sail across three oceans.
Spoiler: Sailing of the 2-nd Squadron
Meanwhile, having left the outer port, the “Emperor Alexander III”, following the Flagship, set course towards the Great Belt. Along with the Baltic battleships, cruisers and destroyers, numerous transports, repair ships and floating hospitals followed - after all, the ships of the Squadron could have to be supplied and repaired right at sea, during a long passage.
This, as well as the fact that the ships had to avoid breakdowns and excessive wear of mechanisms as much as possible, which was already a difficult task for such a grandiose transition, determined the very low speed of the Squadron - no more than 10 knots.
The route ahead was long both in distance and time.
However, time was not wasted in vain. As far as the schedule and available resources allowed, the Squadron conducted general and private exercises on each of the ships every day.
Schemes and plans of action for personnel were developed for almost every possible case of encountering the enemy; schemes and plans for the event of receiving any damage that could be received in battle. The experience gained during the first phase of the Russo-Japanese War was also adopted, since the crews included those who had already taken part in the conflict.
Thus, one of such exercises was “sweeping” a possible minefield in the strait off the coast of Denmark. But unlike tactical techniques, the situation with training in artillery craft itself was much more complicated, since practical shooting could not be organized while moving - and the ammunition, even if collected in excess of the norm, was limited and there was nowhere to replenish it until the arrival in the Far East.
2nd Squadron at sea 1904
The expedition was not without incidents, caused both by the inexperience of the crews and the general tension of the situation.
Although here too the “Alexander” was a role model, maintaining as good an appearance as possible.
The first fork in the road was in Tangier, where the detachments of ships arrived on October 21. Here the Squadron was to split up - half had to go through Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, while the new battleships, due to their draft, were planned to be sent around Africa in order to meet the first half in Madagascar.
Ships of the 2nd Pacific Squadron at anchor 1904
The stop in Tangier also became the first in a series of urgent and massive coal loading onto the ships. Under the equatorial sun, striving to finish the work as quickly as possible, the Squadron’s crews worked tirelessly in clouds of black soot, not stopping work at night in the light of searchlights and lamps. Neither sailors nor officers spared themselves.
The Guards Crew of the “Alexander III” showed itself at its best here too, succeeding in both the speed of loading and their coordination.
Pre-dreadnought “Emperor Alexander III” at anchor 1904
In the further campaign such loadings were to become a frequent occurrence.
It was especially difficult after entering the bay of Angra Pequena, when coal had to be received not only in a hurry, but also in conditions of a strong swell coming from the sea.
The passage to the next stop was to be very long, so the battleships were loaded with supplies beyond all measure, almost twice exceeding the possible overload. This circumstance caused serious concerns during the storm that overtook the 1st Armored Detachment at the Cape of Good Hope.
However, the successful design of the battleships clearly demonstrated its qualities - despite the fact that the length and height of the waves reached 103 and 12 meters respectively, and the storm itself lasted three days - the roll did not exceed 12 degrees. “Emperor Alexander III” and other ships of the detachment happily survived the storm without receiving damage.
2nd Pacific Squadron off the coast of Madagascar
The journey to Madagascar was much calmer, and the mood on the ships had improved considerably. But the arrival on the island on December 16, 1904 was marred: the hospital ship that arrived also brought news of the loss of the ships of the 1st Squadron in Port-Arthur. And this significantly changed both the tasks facing the 2nd Squadron and the balance of naval forces as a whole. Admiral Rozhestvensky had to decide what the forces entrusted to him could do next, taking into account the interests of the Empire and the still-present need to try to help Port-Arthur, which was still holding out…
Spoiler: The Guard dies, but does not surrender
Port-Arthur soon fell. Now the “reinforcement forces” rushing from the Baltic had to try to take control of the sea and defeat the enemy, relying on the only base they had yet to reach.
By force of circumstances, duty and loyalty to the Homeland, the 2nd Pacific Squadron was scheduled to break through to Vladivostok.
2nd Pacific Squadron on the campaign
The passage to the seas controlled by the Japanese Navy was going to be difficult, aggravated by breakdowns, worn-out mechanisms, and growing fatigue of the crews.
The determination to fulfill its duty at all costs was demonstrated, first of all, by the most exemplary ship of the Fleet. During the passage, only the “Emperor Alexander III” did not suffer a single major accident, there were no cases of violation of discipline on the ship, in the most exhausting conditions the Guards Crew demonstrated high training and organization of work. “Alexander” by its example gave determination to other teams not to lose heart and move forward to their goal, whatever the outcome.
View from the stern of the squadron battleship
Meanwhile, having passed the Indian Ocean, successfully passed through the straits and avoided encounters with the enemy in them, having gone around the shores of Indochina and met with a number of other ships sent in support, the Squadron was approaching the end of its journey, having reached a narrow gap between Korea and Japan. The morning of May 14, 1905, greeted the Russian fleet with fog, in which the detection of enemy forces seemed unthinkable - visibility was so low. Japanese scouts also did not succeed in noticing the warships moving in maximum stealth mode. However, within the limits of random visibility, the stern of one of the hospital ships moving at the end of the Squadron still flashed. The battle in the Korean Strait with the forces of the Japanese Combined Fleet became inevitable.
Having prepared all possible plans in advance in case of battle, having released most of the transports and having reorganized into its final order on a course of North-East-23 degrees, the 2nd Pacific Squadron approached the island of Tsushima, and at 13:49 the first sighting shot was fired from the “Knyaz Suvorov”.
Another half hour later the Flagship, on which the shelling of the Japanese ships was concentrated, went out of action.
Having figured out that the turning of the burning ship was not controllable, the “Emperor Alexander III”, which had also managed to receive damage, led the Squadron itself. Skillfully maneuvering, the commander of the battleship tried to take the ships out of the fire. But the main target of the Japanese was now “Alexander”.
For several hours the battleship led the Squadron, responding with artillery fire from its guns to the continuous shelling from the Japanese ships. In the situation of the battle, which was becoming hopeless, “Alexander” even showed the initiative that was possible, and many times covered the perishing flagship. Once the Guards Battleship even managed to temporarily hide the Squadron from shelling, taking advantage of the fog.
By six o’clock in the evening, with a mass of holes in the sides, with destroyed superstructures and all shrouded in black smoke, “Emperor Alexander III” lost control and with an increasing list went out of action. However, after some time the ship recovered again, gradually leveling out the list, as several times before.
Now, having given way to the lead ship, the battleship “Borodino”, following behind, the “Emperor Alexander III” joined the tail of the “Orel” and continued to resist with its last strength. The last half hour before its destruction, the battleship was under concentrated fire from the armored cruisers “Nissin” and “Kassuga”.
Even before leaving Libau, Captain 1st Rank Bukhvostov spoke prophetic words about the fate of his ship and crew, adding that none of them would surrender.
The Guards Battleship sank at about 18:55 on May 14, 1905, taking with it its entire famous crew, who never left their posts. Until the last moment, the guns of the “Alexander” were aimed at the enemy, the remaining of guns continued to fire.
The cruisers “Vladimir Monomakh” and “Izumrud” followed to the place where the pre-dreadnought had perished, but no survivors were found. No one will ever know what happened on the “Emperor Alexander III” in its last hours - there was no one to tell about it, everyone died, from Captain Bukhvostov and the ship’s doctor to the last sailor.
The ship was part of the Guards Crew and was in service for 1 year and 7 months.
Main characteristics
Spoiler: Emperor Alexander III (1904)
Classification:
- Sub Category: Pre-dreadnought / Battleship
- Class: Borodino-class
Technical component:
- Full load displacement: 14 409 t
- Complement: 867
- Boiler & engine:
2 shafts, 2 vertical triple expansion steam engines manufactured by the Franco-Russian plant, 20 Belleville water tube boilers - Power: 16 225
- Speed: 18,00 knots
Protection:
- Main belt — 194-125 mm
- Upper belt — 152-102 mm
- Main turret — 254-63 mm
- Secondary turret — 152-30 mm
- Upper deck — 51-32 mm
- Deck — 43-25-мм
- Main barbettes — 229 mm
- Secondary barbettes — 152 mm
- Casemates — 76 mm
- Conning tower — 203-51 mm
- Torpedo bulkhead — 43 mm
Weapon:
- Main battery artillery
2 x twin 305/40-mm naval guns from the Obukhov plant mod.1895 - Secondary battery artillery
6 x twin 152/45-mm Canet guns mod.1892
20 x single 75/50-mm Canet guns mod.1892 - Anti-aircraft artillery
20 x single 47-mm Hotchkiss guns mod.1885
10 x single 7,62-mm Maxim machine guns mod.1897 - Torpedo armament
2 x single surface 381-mm torpedo tubes
2 x single underwater 381-mm torpedo tubes
Additional illustrations
Spoiler: Weapon and protection scheme
Spoiler: Paint scheme in 1904
Paint scheme Guards squadron battleship “Emperor Alexander III” in 1904
Thank you for your attention!
All resources:
Семёнов В.И. «Расплата». — Санкт-Петербург: 1907.
Семёнов В.И. Трагедия Цусимы. — М; «Яуза», «Эксмо»: 2008.
Семёнов В.И. Бой при Цусиме: Памяти «Суворова». — Санкт-Петербург: 1910.
Мельников Р.М. Броненосцы типа «Бородино». — Броненосцы русского флота. — Санкт-Петербург: 1996.
Кудрявский А.Р. Эскадренный броненосец «Император Александр III». — Минск. Издательство “Галияфы”: 2015г.
Грибовский В.Ю. Эскадренные броненосцы типа «Бородино». — Мидель Шпангоут. — Санкт-Петербург: Гангут, №19: 2010.
Вырубов П.А. На броненосце «Князь Суворов» (Десять лет из жизни русского моряка, погибшего в Цусимском бою). — Санкт-Петербург: АНО «ИСТФЛОТ»: 2010.
McLaughlin, Stephen Russian & Soviet Battleships. - Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.: 2003
Forczyk, Robert Russian Battleship vs Japanese Battleship, Yellow Sea 1904-05. - Duel. Vol. 15. Oxford, UK: Osprey: 2009.
