Kanoners' boats "Korean", "Sivuch", "Beaver", "Gilyak", "Khivinets", "Brave", "Usyskin", their drawings and models

The gunboat (gunboat, cannon) is a maneuverable warship, which is distinguished by powerful weapons. It is intended to conduct military operations in coastal marine areas, in lakes and rivers. It is most often used to guard harbors.

The advent of gunboats

In Russia there are a lot of lakes, border long rivers and shallow coastal water areas. Therefore, the construction of gunboats can be considered traditional, because other warships could not conduct combat operations in such conditions. However, before the First World War replenishment was not planned. In 1917 there were only 11 gunboats, some of which were launched at the end of the 19th century.

For most of these gunboats, the Civil War was the last. It survived only 2 gunboats - "Brave" and "Khivinets." Therefore, designers took them as the basis for the production of more modern artillery ships.

"Brave" - the oldest boat, which was part of the royal heritage. In the Baltic she served for 63 years. Initially, for use, it was equipped with three guns (two for 203 mm and one for 152 mm). However, in 1916 it was modernized. Now there were five guns.

"Khivinets" was created as a hospital in the Persian Gulf, so its firepower was based only on two 120 mm guns. But on this boat were more comfortable living conditions.

After 1917, both boats ceased to be considered in the production of new ones due to their venerable age.

Models

When the flotilla felt the power and endurance of gunboats, it was decided to build them "for the needs of the Far East." And despite the fact that before the war new copies were not ordered. The first prototypes were "Brave" and "Khivinets".

After the modernization of the drawings began to produce boats such as "Gilyak." However, they were much weaker, the designers tried to strengthen such parameters as the range of navigation. But it was not possible to do this. Since there was no high-quality weapons, the cannk did not continue to build, nor did it use.

Then there are "Ardagan" and "Kare". The distinctive features of these canals are the use of diesel power plants. Petroleum products at that time were the most affordable fuels, so Ardagan and Kare were economically viable.

Beginning in 1910, the Navy Ministry decided to scale modernization. And this happens when most gunboats are already prepared for launching, conducting combat operations. It is decided to strengthen protection and artillery pieces. All this affects the draft. Therefore, more than half of the canals went to reconstruction. This type was called "Buryat".

Thus, the models of gunboats were constantly changing, supplemented by a modern type of weapons and defense facilities. There is no such military ship that would have been their prototype from the time of the Russian Empire to the present day.

The legendary "Korean"

The gunboat "Korean" was used in the Far East to suppress the "uprising of boxers." She was part of the international squadron. During the battles the gunboat received several serious injuries, were wounded and killed.

Before the Russo-Japanese War, the Korean gunboat was transferred to the Korean port of Chemulpo. Together with her went cruiser of the first rank "Varyag". On February 8, the crew of the boat received an assignment to go to Port Arthur with a diplomatic report. However, the port was blocked, as a result of which the way to "Koreans" was blocked. The ship's captain decided to turn back, after which the destroyers of the enemy attacked with torpedoes. Although today the option is considered that the Japanese squadron only imitated it.

Due to torpedo attack, "Korean" produces two shots. They are the first in the Russo-Japanese War.

According to the project "Koreans" a lot of gunboats were built, which are used in modern times.

"Varyag" and "Korean": battle way

In 1904, at noon, the armored decker "Varyag" and the gunboat "Korean" fought a Japanese squadron, which lasted about an hour. Against the two warships there was a whole Japanese squadron. The gunboat took part in the final phase of the battle, reflecting torpedo attacks. An hour after the start of the battle, the cruiser began to retreat, and the gunboat "Koreets" covered his retreat.

During the battle, 52 projectiles were fired at the enemy. But at the same time, there was absolutely no damage or loss from the gunboat. Since the "Korean" was a combat ship with powerful artillery weapons, it was impossible to allow its capture. Therefore, in the raid of Chemulpo, it was decided to blow it up. The crew of the boat moved aboard the French cruiser Pascal. He soon brought the sailors to Russia.

The crews who fought were awarded orders and decorations. Also in honor of them a special medal was established. So the cruiser and gunboat went down in history.

Young gunboat "Khivinets"

The gunboat "Khivinets" was the youngest representative of artillery ships in tsarist times. It was intended to become part of the Baltic Fleet. The boat is seaworthy, but it was used also in river conditions. And she persistently withstood the test of unfavorable conditions.

The gunboat "Khivinets" was ordered in 1904-1914, when the strengthening of the Russian fleet began. However, the model itself was aimed at 1898. Unfortunately, after the release of the model, there was no modernization, which was the reason for the narrow functionality.

It is impossible not to note the stamina and endurance of the gunboat. The fact is that she survived such battles, where other, younger artillery warships perished. Probably, that is why it was used for a long time as a prototype in the construction of ships.

Heroic "Sea Lion"

In the Gulf of Riga the gunboat "Sivuch" heroically died in battle with the German battleships. That is why every year on September 9, waves take a lot of flowers and wreaths from Rigans and Russians.

August 19, 1915 the Imperial Navy entered into battle with the German battleships. It is not known until the end what exactly happened in those days long and long for the crew. But the battle near the island of Kihnu forced the German squadron to abandon further attacks in the Gulf of Riga, as well as from the bombing of coastal fortifications. This was the main purpose of the raid of the German fleet.

The gunboat "Sivuch" then saved Riga from victims and destruction. The price of such a feat was the death of the ship, as well as the entire crew. At that time the gunboat was called even the Baltic "Varyag", so high was the heroism of the sailors.

The gunboat "Beaver"

The gunboat "Bobr" refers to the type of Gilyak. Such ships were intended to protect the Amur River up to Khabarovsk. In its lower reaches there was a small number of garrisons, and it was to be provided with artillery support. Since there was a small number of objects, the design of the ships was based on a long range of navigation, as well as autonomy. However, seaworthiness in practice was extremely small.

The value of gunboats of this type was minimal, since the design was not given much attention to weapons. During the First World War, they were used as a swimming base. Constructions and prototypes, of course, they did not. Future ships took over from these boats only combat missions.

"Beaver" was laid in 1906, a year later it was launched. In 1908, the gunboat entered the Russian fleet. For the entire history of its existence, she also visited the Germans. She was captured in 1918 and converted into a swimming workshop. In the same year the boat was transferred to Estonia. Although she was in a faulty condition, but was listed in the squadron of this country.

The gunboat served 21 years, in 1927 it was sent for scrapping.

River (lake) and sea gunboats

Despite the great functionality, virtually all gunboats were used to strike at coastal facilities. The purpose of such attacks was to suppress the enemy's firepower, as well as to reduce manpower. If the boat remained in close proximity to its shore, then its tasks were to protect coastal facilities, protection from enemy warships.

There are sea and river gunboats. Their main difference is in weight. The first reach a mass of 3 thousand tons, the second - in 1500. Of course, based on the name, it is logical to assume in which places the gunboats will be used.

Functionality and use of gunboats

The gunboats are a variant of the most functional artillery ships. The design allowed them to be used in military operations in the coastal zone, on rivers and near archipelagoes with small rocky islands.

Cannon boats could perform the following functions:

1. Defense of coasts, ports, estuaries
2. Landing
3. Support troops on the banks
4. Landing your own and fighting with enemy troops
5. Auxiliary tasks, such as the delivery of goods

Depending on where the artillery ship will be used, its design could be changed, special structures were erected. There are non-armored, armor and armored boats. Most often used the second option, because it offered relatively good protection, but it had a small weight, which had a positive effect on maneuverability.

Main characteristics of gunboats

Based on the characteristics, it was determined where the gunboat would be used. There are three main parameters:

1. Displacement . Ships could descend on the water for protection and conduct of military operations in the seas or on rivers and lakes.
2. Speed . It is 3-15 knots. The speed depends on which particular design is given to the gunboat. It can be unarmored, armored only in vulnerable places, and completely. Naturally, its weight increases, which negatively affects the speed of navigation.
3. Armament .

Since gunboats were warships, guns were given great attention. They could be provided with 1-4 guns of the main caliber (203-356 mm). This approach to design was focused on naval gunboats. River boats were most often equipped with medium-caliber guns (76-170).

Also, depending on the destination on the deck, could be installed automatic cannons Zenit and machine guns. The latter were constructed extremely rarely because of their short range.

Conclusion

Thus, it is impossible to meet two identical gunboats. Each copy is good in its own way, it is endowed with its unique functionality. As history shows, many Russian gunboats were able to act alone against whole squadrons. This is due not only to the warships themselves and their designers, but also to the crew. Often, only his courage tipped the outcome of the battle in his favor.