The famous cruiser Varyag died in battle. The heroic death of the Kruiser "Varyag" and the Korean gunboat in an unequal battle with the Japanese squadron
The cruiser "Varyag" became a truly legendary vessel in domestic history. It became famous for the battle at Chelpo, at the very beginning russian-Japanese war. And although the cruiser "Varyag" has already become almost a nominal name, the battle itself is still an unknown general public. Meanwhile for russian fleet Results are disappointing.
True, then the whole Japanese squadron was opposed to two domestic ships. All that is known about "Varyag" - did not surrender to the enemy and preferred to be flooded than captive. However, the history of the vessel is much more interesting. It is worth restoring historical justice and debunk some myths about the glorious cruiser "Varyag".
Varyag was built in Russia. The vessel is considered one of the most famous in the history of the Russian fleet. It is obvious to assume that it was built in Russia. Nevertheless, Varyag was laid in 1898 in Philadelphia at William Cramp and Sons. Three years later, the ship began to carry the service as part of the domestic fleet.
Varyag - Slow vessel. Popular work in the creation of the vessel led to the fact that it could not accelerate to 25 knots prescribed in the contract. This reduced "No" all the advantages of a light cruiser. After a few years, the ship could not swim faster than 14 knots. An even question was raised about the return of "Varyag" to the Americans for repair. But in the fall of 1903 the test cruiser was able to show almost planned speed. Niccel's steam boilers faithfully served on other ships, without causing complaints.
Varyag is a weak cruiser. In many sources, the view is that Varyag was a weak opponent with a low military value. Called skepticism No armored shields from the instruments of the main caliber. True, Japan in those years, in principle, did not have armored cruisers capable of fighting with the Varyag and his analogues on the relics of weapons: "Oleg", "Bogatyr" and "Askold". Twelve 152 mm tools was not any Japanese cruiser of this class. But martialctions In that conflict, there were such a conflict that the crews of domestic cruisers did not communicate with equal in numbers or class by the enemy. The Japanese preferred to enter the battle, owning the advantage of the number of ships. The first battle, but not the last, became a fight at cheek.
"Varyag" and "Korean" received hail from shells. Describing that the battle, domestic historians talk about the whole Grada from the shells who fell into Russian ships. True, in the Korean, at the same time nothing fell. But the official data of the Japanese side refute this myth. For 50 minutes of battle, six cruisers spent only 419 shells. More than all - "Asama", including 27 caliber 203 mm and 103 caliber of 152 mm. According to the report of Captain Rudnev who commanded the "Varyag", the ship released 1105 shells. Of these, 425 - a caliber of 152 mm, 470 - a caliber of 75 mm, 210 more than 47 mm. It turns out that as a result of the fight, Russian artilleryrs managed to show high rapidity. More about fifty shells released Korean. So it turns out that two Russian ship during that fight released shells three times more than the entire Japanese squadron. It remains not entirely clear how this number was calculated. It is possible that it appeared on the basis of the survey of the crew. And could there be so many shots to make a cruiser, who by the end of the battle lost three quarters of his guns?
Commanded the ship counter-admiral Rudnev. Returning to Russia after the resignation in 1905, Vsevolod Fedorovich Rudnev received the title of counter-admiral. And in 2001, the name of the brave sailor was named Street in South Butovo in Moscow. But it is still logical about the captain, and not about the admiral in a historical aspect. In the chronicles of the Russian-Japanese war, Rudneve remained captain of the first rank, the commander of Varyag. As a counter-admiral, he did not show himself anywhere. And this explicit mistake sacted even in school textbooks, where the title of the Varyag commander is wrong. Nobody for some reason does not think that counter-admiral is not the status of command the armored cruiser. Two Russian ships were opposed to fourteen Japanese. Describing that the battle, it is often said that the Korean cruiser and the Korean canoner boat opposed the whole Japanese squadron counter-admiral uriu from 14 ships. It included 6 cruisers and 8 destroyers. But still it is worth clarifying something. The Japanese did not use his huge quantitative and qualitative advantage. Moreover, it was originally 15 ships in the squadron. But the Montarosphere "Tsubama" got a stranded during the maneuvers, who hindered Korean to go to Port Arthur. There was no participant in the fight and the messenger "Chiheya", although it was close to the battleship. In fact, only four Japanese cruisers fought, two more episodically entered the battle. The Ministry of Justice also denoted their presence.
Varyag Saved the cruiser and two enemy destroyers. The issue of military losses on both sides always causes hot discussions. So the battle at cheeky Russian and Japanese historians is estimated in different ways. In the domestic literature mentioned the big losses of the enemy. The Japanese lost the flooded destroyer, 30 people died, about 200 were injured. But these data are based on the reports of foreigners who wanted the battle. Gradually, another destroyer began to include another destroyer, like the cruiser "Takachiho". This version entered the film "Varyag" cruiser. And if you can argue about the fate of the Ministry of Users, then the Russian-Japanese war was completely safely safely safely. The ship sank with all his crew only after 10 years in the siege of Qingdao. In the report of the Japanese, nothing about the losses and damage to their ships. True, it is not entirely clear where after that fight disappeared for two months bronnosna cruiser "Asama", the main opponent "Varyag"? In Port Arthur, it was not, as well as in the squadron of Admiral Kamimura, acting against the Vladivostok detachment of cruisers. But the fighting only began, the outcome of the war was unclear. It is only possible to assume that the ship, which basically also shot "Varyag", was still serious damage. But the Japanese decided to hide this fact in order to promote the effectiveness of their weapons. Such experience was also noted during the Russian-Japanese war. The losses of the armadioles "Yasima" and "Hatsus" were also not recognized immediately. The Japanese choshly written off the several sunken destroyers as repairing unsuitable.
The story of "Varyag" ended with its flooding. After the vessel's team moved to neutral ships, Kingstons opened on Varyaga. He sank. But in 1905, the Japanese raised the cruiser, repaired and commissioned under the name "Soyuya". In 1916, the ship was redeemed by Russians. Walked first world WarAnd Japan was already an ally. The ship was returned to his former name "Varyag", it began to serve as part of the Northern Flootilla Arctic Ocean. In early 1917, Varyag went to England, but was confiscated for debts. The Soviet government was not going to pay for royal accounts. Further fate The ship is unenviable - in 1920 he was sold to the Germans on the layer. And in 1925, when towing sank in the Irish Sea. So it is resting the ship is not at all off the coast of Korea.
The Japanese upgraded the ship. The information is found that Nikolosse boilers were replaced by the Japanese to Miyabara boilers. So the Japanese decided to modernize the former "Varyag". It's a delusion. True, without repairing cars, it still did not cost. This allowed the cruiser on the tests to achieve the course of 22.7 knots, which was less than the initial one.
In respect, the Japanese left the cruiser with a sign with his name and Russian coat of arms. Such a step was not associated with the tribute to the memory of the heroic history of the ship. Played the role of the design "Varyag". The coat of arms and the name were mounted in a stern balcony, it was impossible to remove them. The Japanese just secured the new name, "Soyuya" on both sides on the balcony grille. No sentimentality is solid rationality.
"The death of" Varyaga "is a folk song. The feat of "Varyaga" became one of the bright spots of that war. It is not surprising that the verse of the poem, they composed songs, wrote pictures, film was shot. Songs immediately after that war was folded at least fifty. But through the years, only three came to us. "Varyag" and "Varyag's death" are known most. These songs S. small changes sound throughout artistic film About the ship. For a long time it was believed that the "Varyag" death is a folk creation, but this is not quite so. Less than one month after the battle in the Rus newspaper, the poem of J. Repinsky "Varyag" was published. It began with the words "splashing cold waves." These words laid the composer Benevsky on the music. I must say that this melody was consonant with many military songs that appeared at that time. And by whom there was a mysterious Ya. Repinsky, and could not be installed. By the way, the text "Varyag" ("Up, about comrades, all in places") wrote an Austrian poet Rudolf Grayinz. Famous option appeared, thanks to the student translator.
Preparing for war with Russia, Japan was supposed primarily and at all costs to conquer the domination of the sea. Without this, the entire further struggle of her with a powerful northern neighbor became absolutely meaningless. Little Island Empire, devoid of mineral raw materials not only could not be able to overgo troops and reinforcements to the fighting sites in Manchuria, but could not protect their own naval databases and ports from bombardments by Russian ships, could not And ensure normal shipping, and after all, the work of the entire Japanese industry depended on the regular and uninterrupted delivery of goods. To protect yourself from a very real threat from the Russian fleet, the Japanese could only apply a proactive, unexpected blow to the places of focusing the enemy ships. Such blows, even before the official announcement of the war, and hostilities began on the Japanese Sea.
On the night of January 27, 1904, 10 Japanese destroyers suddenly attacked the Russian squadron of Vice Admiral Stark, standing at the port Arthur's external raid and torpedo the Retvosan and Cesarevich armor, as well as the Pallada cruiser. Damaged ships for a long time dropped out of order, providing Japan with a tangible superiority in the forces.
The second strike of the enemy was applied on the Varyag's armored crap cruiser in the Korean port (they were commanded by Captain 1 rank Vsevolod Fedorovich Rudnev) and Korean's gunboat (commander Captain 2 rank Grigory Pavlovich Belyaev). Against the two Russian ships, the Japanese threw a whole squadron of counter-admiral Shokyati Uriu, which included a heavy armored cruiser "Asama", 5 armored cruisers ("Tiena", "Naniva", "Nititaka", "Takatiho" and "Akasi"), Avizo "Chihaya" and 7 Mortgies.
On the morning of January 27, the Japanese presented the commander of Russian ships an ultimatum demanding up to 12 hours to leave the neutral port, threatening in case of refusal to attack "Varyag" and "Korean" directly on the raid. Commanders who were in the French cruiser "Pascal", English "Talbot", Italian "Elba" and American kannelian boat "Vicksburg" was still notified by Japanese about the upcoming attack of his squadron into Russian ships. Their protest against the violation of the neutral status of the port of Celpo Commander of the Japanese squadron was not taken into account. Protection of Russian power of weapons commanders of the international squadron ships were not going to talk about and reported by V.F. Rudnev, who answered with bitterness: "So my ship is a piece of meat, abandoned dogs? Well, I will impose a fight - I will take it. I'm not going to give up, no matter how much Japanese squadron is. " Returning to the "Varyag" he announced a team. "Call more than bolder, but I take it. I do not shy away from the battle, although I have not had an official report of war from my government. I am sure of one: the team" Varyaga "and" Korean "will fight to the last drop of blood, showing everyone Example of fearless in battle and contempt for death. "
At 11 o'clock. 20 minutes. The cruiser "Varyag" and the Korean canonere boat raised anchor and headed for the exit from the raid. Japanese Karaulyl Karaulil Sophia in the southern tip of the island of Philip. The closer to the exit from the raid was "Asama", and it was from her who was found to meet the "Varyag" and "Korean" towards. Admiral Uriu ordered to split the anchor chains, as there was no time for the rise and cleaning anchors. The ships began to hurry to stretch into the milk, on the move, rebuilding into combat columns, according to the disposition obtained on the eve.
When the Russian ships are found on the masts "Naniva", the signal flags were raised with a proposal to surrender without a fight. But Rudnev decided not to respond to the signal and went on rapprochement with the enemy squadron. "Korean" was a few Leeper "Varyag".
At a distance of 10 miles from Chetlpo, the island of Yodolmi had a fight, which lasted about 1 hour. Japanese cruisers moved a convergent course, pressing Russian ships to shames. At 11 o'clock. 44 min. On the masts of the flagship "naniva" a signal was raised about the opening of fire. After a minute, the armor cruiser "Asama" began a targeting from the guns of the nasal tower.
The first volley lay in front of the "Varyag" with a small flight. To the surprise of Russians, Japanese shells exploded even when they hit the water, raising huge pillars of water and black smoke clubs.
"Varyag" and "Korean" opened a retaliatory fire. True, the first salutes from the canoner boat were given a big ear, and in the future the artillery duel with the enemy's cruiser led almost alone. In the meantime, the density of fire from the enemy has increased: ships of the second group joined the battle. The Russian cruiser was completely hidden for huge water columns, which, with a crash, then took off to the level of combat Mars. The superstructure and deck pushed a hail of fragments. Despite human losses, Varyag has vigorously responded to enemy frequent fire. The main goal of his commanders became "asam", which soon managed to bring it out of order. Then the enemy destroyer went to the attack on the cruiser, but the first volley with the "Varyag" let him on the bottom.
However, Japanese shells continued to torment a Russian ship. At 12 o'clock. 12 min. On the surviving Flats, the Fock Mast of the Cruiser was raised the signal "P" ("Peace"), which meant "turning to the right." Then there were several events that accelerated the tragic combustion of the battle. First, the enemy projectile interrupted the pipe in which all the steering drives were laid. As a result, an uncontrollable ship moved to the stones of Yodolmi island. Almost simultaneously, another shell exploded between the landing instrument of the Baranovsky and Fock Mast. At the same time, the entire calculation of the gun No. 35 was killed. Shards flew into the passage of combat logging, deadly hornish and drummer; The commander of the cruiser was separated by a light injury and contusion. Further ship management had to be transferred to the feed steering department.
Suddenly he was crushing, and the ship, shuddering, stopped. In combat logging, instantly assessing the situation, gave the car the most complete back, but it was too late. Now "Varyag", which turned to the enemy to the left side, was a fixed target. Japanese commander, noticing the plight of the Russians, raised the signal "Turn to the opposition to the opponent". The ships of all groups lay on a new course, while at the same time leading fire from the nasal guns.
The position of "Varyag" seemed hopeless. The enemy quickly approached, and the cruiser sitting on the stones could not take anything. It was at this time that he received the most severe damage. A large caliber shell, breaking the board under water, exploded in the coal pit number 10, at 12.30 the eighty-lean shell exploded in the coal pit number 12. The water began to approach the tops, the crew immediately began to pump it with all the cash. Emergency batches under the fire of the enemy began to bring patches under these holes. And a miracle happened here: the cruiser himself, as if reluctant, slipped from the mongs and retracted the dangerous place. Not crammed more fate, Rudnev ordered to go for the reverse course.
However, the situation remained very heavy. Although the water was pumped out by all means, "Varyag" continued to roll up onto the left side, and his harassment of the enemy shells. But, to the surprise of the Japanese, Varyag, increasing the move, confidently went towards the raid. Because of the narrowness of the Farviter, only the cruiser "Asam" and "Chiode" could pursue Russians. "Soon the Japanese had to stop the fire, as their shells began to fall near the ships of the international squadron. The Italian cruiser "Elba" even had to go into the departure of the raid because of this. In 12.45, Russian ships stopped fire. The battle ended.
In total, during the battle of Varyag, it released 1105 shells: 425 152-mm, 470,75 mm and 210 47-mm. In the preserved Varyaga Walari magazine, it was noted that his commandors managed to sing the enemy destroyer and cause severe damage to 2 Japanese cruisers. According to foreign observers, after the fight, the Japanese buried in the bay A-San 30 killed and had more than 200 wounded on ships. According to the official document (sanitary report for the war), the loss of the crew of Varyag amounted to 130 people - 33 killed and 97 wounded. A total of 12 -14 large fugasal shells fell into the cruiser ..
Rudnev in the French boat went to the English cruiser "Talbot" to agree on the carriage of the crew of Varyag to foreign ships and report on the intended destruction of the cruiser right on the raid. The Tellbot's commander of Bailey objected against the explosion "Varyag", motivating her opinion to the big crowded ships on the raid. At 13 o'clock. 50 min. Rudnev returned to Varyag. Hasively collect the officers nearby, he informed them about his intention and received their support. Immediately began to transport the wounded, and then the entire crew to foreign ships. At 15 o'clock. 15 minutes. The commander "Varyag" sent to Korean Michman V. Balka. G.P. Belyaev immediately gathered the Military Council, in which the officers decided: "The forthcoming battle after half an hour is not equal, will cause in vain bloodshed ... without harming the enemy, and therefore it is necessary to blow the boat ...". The crew of Korean switched to the French cruiser Pascal. At 15 o'clock. 50 min. Rudnev with the Senior Boatswain, bypassing the ship and making sure that no one left for him, came down with him with the owners of the ternary compartments, which opened Kingstones and flooding valves. At 16 o'clock. 05 min. "Korean" exploded, at 18:00. 10 min. Less on the left side and disappeared under the water "Varyag", at 20 o'clock. A steamer "Sungari" was blown up.
The formal announcement of Japan's war of Russia followed only on January 28 (February 10) of 1904. Blocked by the Russian fleet on the Ride of Port Arthur, the Japanese landed their troops in Korea and in the Liaodo Peninsula, which put forward to the border of Manchuria and, at the same time, began a port siege -Arture with sushi. For Russia, the remoteness of the theater of actions from its main territory was a big problem. - The concentration of troops went slowly, due to the incomplete construction of the Transibirsk highway. Having a numerical superiority of its armed forces equipped with the most modern samples of military equipment, the Japanese caused Russian troops a number of severe defeats.
On April 18 (May 1), 1904, the first large battle between Russian and Japanese troops on the river occurred. Yalu (Chinese. Title Yalujiang, Korean. - Aminkkan). Oriental squad of the Russian Manchurian Army under the command of Gene. Major M.I. Stripping in a combat clash with parts of the 1st Japanese army gene. T. Kuroka more than 2 thousand people. Killed and wounded, 21 guns and all 8 machine guns were forced to retire to the Pantals of the Fyn Shuily Range.
13 (26) May 1904 parts of the 2nd Japanese army gene. Ya. Oku seated the city of Jinzhou, cutting off a garrison of Port Arthur from the Russian Manchu Army. To assist the precipitated Port Arthur, the 1st Siberian Case gene was put forward towards the coming Japanese parts. I.I. Shtenberg. His troops 1-2 (13-14) June 1904 entered into battle with parts of the 2nd Japanese army at the Wafango station. As a result of the two-day persistent battle of the troops of General OKU, which had significant superiority in infantry and artillery, began bypassing the right flank of the Corps of General Shakelberg and forced him to retreat to the compound with the main forces of the Russian army (in Pashicho). The main connections of the 2nd Japanese army began an offensive on Liaoyan. For the siege, Port Arthur was formed the 3rd Japanese Army under the command of General M. Feet.
Started in July 1904, the Japanese attack on Liaoyan forced the Russian command to enter them into battle. 11 (24) August - August 21 (September 3), 1904, the Liaoyan battle occurred. The started successful for Russian troops, it is due to erroneous actions gene. A.N. Kuropatkina, ended with the defeat of his army, forced to retreat to Mukden. Russian troops lost 16 thousand people in this 11-day battle, Japanese - 24 thousand people.
The arrival of new troops has replenished the Manchurian army, the number of which by the fall of 1904 reached 214 thousand people. Having a numerical advantage over the enemy (170 thousand people), part of the troops of which was disturbed by the ongoing siege of Port Arthur, the Russian command decided to go to the offensive. September 22 (October 5) - 4 (17) October 1904 on the Shahu River there was a counter battle of Russian and japanese armiesending to no avail for both parties. For the first time in the entire war, opponents suffering heavy losses (Russians - over 40 thousand people, the Japanese - 20 thousand people) were forced to proceed to maintain positional hostilities. However, the stabilization of the front line on the p. Shahoe had catastrophic consequences for the deposited port Arthur. After taking the Japanese, the mountains are high - the key point of the Russian defense and the destruction of their batteries standing on the domestic raid of the squadron, the commandant of the Kwantung fortified district of the gene. A.M. StASTEL on December 20, 1904 (January 2, 1905) signed an agreement with the representatives of the Japanese command to surrender the fortress and the departure of the Garrison of Port Arthur.
On the Manchurian front, the new and largest collision of the Russian and Japanese armies occurred under Mukden 6 (19) of February - February 25 (March 10). Russian army, severe defeat, retreated by Telin. The losses of Russian troops in this battle reached 89 thousand people. Killed, wounded and prisoners. The Japanese lost 71 thousand people killed and wounded., That turned out to be very large for the army of a small island state, whose government soon after this victory was forced to agree to the beginning of peace negotiations with Russia through the mediation of US President T. Roosevelt. Another consequence of Mukden defeat was the resignation of the gene. A.N. Kuropatkin from the post of commander-in-chief armed forces in the Far East. His successor was the gene. N.P. Linevich. The new commander-in-chief refused active actions, engaged only by the engineering provision of Sapinga positions in 175 km. sowing. Mukden. The Russian army remained for them until the end of the war
At sea, the last hopes of the Russian command were killed after the defeat. In the Tsushimsk Strait by the Japanese fleet of Admiral H. Togo Russian Squadron Vice-Admiral Z.P. Hornborn, directed from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean (14-15 (27-28) of May 1905).
In the course of military operations, Russia lost approx. 270 thousand people, incl. OK. 50 thousand people - killed, Japan is also ok 270 thousand people, but killed ok. 86 thousand people
Avizo is a small warship applied to the messenger service.
Only the commander of the American "Wilburg" was not joined by the protest of the commanders of foreign ships - the captain of the 2nd rank Marshall.
"Varyag" was flooded at a small depth - during the low tide, the ship was found in almost the diametrical plane for 4 m. The Japanese decided to take possession and started lifting work. In 1905, Varyag. Was raised and sent to Sazebo. There, the cruiser was repaired and then put into operation a squadron of Vice Admiral Uria called "Soyuya", but on the stern, under the Japanese hieroglyphs, the decision of Emperor Mutsukhito, was left inscription in the Golden Slavic Varyag. On March 22, 1916, Russia bought his famous cruiser who was returned to the previous name. In 1917, the ship was repaired in the UK and after October revolution was sold on scrap metal. However, fate and the sea were against this end of the Varyag - in 1922. During his last trip, he sank off the coast of Scotland in 60 miles south of Glasgow.
V.A. Volkov
June 2nd, 2013
Cruiser "Varyag" 1901
Today in Russia is unlikely to find a person who would not know about the heroic feat of the crews of the Varyag cruiser and the Korean gunboat. Hundreds of books and articles were written about this, movies were removed ... The fight, the fate of the cruiser and his teams are described before the smallest details. However, the conclusions and evaluation are very tendentious! Why is the commander of "Varyag" Captain 1 rank V. F. Rudnev, who received the Order of St. George 4th degree for the fight and the title of the Flygel Adjutant, soon turned out to be retired and lived his age in the genital estate in the Tula province? It would seem that the People's Hero, and even with Axelbank and George on the chest should literally "take off" on the service staircase, but this did not happen.
In 1911, the Historical Commission on the description of the actions of the fleet in the war of 1904-1905. With the Maritime General Staff released another volume of documents, where materials were published on the Boy at ChelPo. Until 1922, the documents were kept with a vulture "not to be announced." In one of the volumes there are two reports by V. F. Rudneva - one governor of the emperor in the Far East, dated February 6, 1904, and the other (more complete) - the management of the Maritime Ministry dated March 5, 1905 in reports contained detailed description Boy with cheeky.
Cruiser "Varyag" and battleship "Poltava" in the western pool Port Arthur, 1902-1903
We quote the first document as more emotional because it is written immediately after the fight:
"On January 26, 1904, the seawater canonere boat" Korean "went on papers from our envoy in Port Arthur, but the Japanese squadron met of three released minorities made the boat to return back. The boat became anchor near the cruiser, and part of the Japanese squadron with transport was included On the raid for his own troops ashore. Not knowing whether hostilities began, I went to the English cruiser "Talbot" to agree with the commander of relatively orders.
.....
continuation of the official document and official version
And cruiser. But we are not about it. Let's discuss what it is not customary to say ...
Korean canonere boat in cheeky. February 1904
Thus, the battle started at 11 o'clock 45 minutes ended at 12:55 minutes. With "Varyaga" 425 shells of 6-inch caliber, 470,70 75-mm and 210 47-mm calibers were released, and 1105 shells were released. At 13 o'clock 15 minutes, "Varyag" gave anchor on the place, from where he starred 2 hours ago. There was no damage to the Korean's canonerer boat, as not dead and wounded.
In 1907, in the brochure "Boy" Varyaga "at Chekulpo" V. F. Rudnev, a word for the word repeated the story of the Boy with the Japanese detachment. Nothing new retired commander "Varyaga" did not say, but it was necessary to say. Having established the current situation, the cruiser and the canonerean boat were solved on the Council of Officers "Varyaga" and "Korean", and the teams are converted to foreign ships. Korean's canonere boat was blown up, and the Cruiser "Varyag" was swallowed by opening all the valves and kingstones. At 18 o'clock 20 minutes he lay down on board. During the low voltage, the cruiser was exposed for more than 4 meters. A somewhat later than the Japanese raised the cruiser who made the transition from Cheep to Sacebo, where he was put into operation and more than 10 years sailed in a Japanese fleet called "Soyuya" until the Russians bought it.
The response about the death of the "Varyag" was not unambiguous. Part of the fleet officers did not approve of the Action of the Varyag commander, considering them illiterate both from a tactical point of view and with technical. But the officials of the higher authorities were considered otherwise: why start the war with failures (especially since the complete failure was both under Port Arthur), is it better to use the battle when the Russians have been able to raise the national feelings of Russians and try to turn the war with Japan to folk. We developed the scenario of the meeting of the heroes of Chelpo. About the miscalculations were all silent.
Senior navigator officer of Cruiser E. A. Benshas, \u200b\u200bwho became after the October Revolution of 1917. The first Soviet head of the maritime general StaffSubsequently recalled that he expected on his native shore of the arrest and the sea court. On the first day of the war, the fleet of the Pacific Ocean decreased by one combat unit, the forces of the enemy increased the same. The news that the Japanese started up "Varyaga" raised quickly.
By the summer of 1904, the sculptor K. Kazbek made a mock at the monument dedicated to the battle at Velpo, and called him "Farewell to Rudneva with" Varyagom ". On the layout, the sculptor depicted the W. Rudnev standing at Leerov, to the right of which the sailor was with a bandaged hand, and the officer was sitting behind his back. Then the layout was made by the author of the monument to the "deigus" K. V. Isenberg. A song about "Varyaga" appeared, which became folk. Soon the picture "Death" Varyaga "was written. View from the French cruiser" Pascal ". Photo crops with portraits of commanders and images of "Varyaga" and "Korean" were released. But the ceremony of the Heroes of Chelpo was especially carefully developed. She apparently should be said more about it, especially since they almost did not write about it in Soviet literature.
The first group of the Varyiers arrived in Odessa on March 19, 1904. The day was sunny, but the sea was a strong zyb. From the morning, the city was decorated with flags and flowers. Sailors arrived at the royal pier on the steamer "Malaya". They came to meet the steamer "Saint Nicholas", which, when found on the "Malaya" on the horizon, was decenging the flags of coloring. This signal followed a volley from salute cannons of coastal battery. From the harbor in the sea came out a whole fleet of ships and yachts.
At one of the courts were the head of the Odessa port and several Georgievsky cavaliers. Having risen on the side of "Malaya", the head of the port handed the Varyažev Georgiev awards. The first group included captain 2 rank V. V. Stepanov, Michman V. A. Balk, engineers N. V. Zorin and S. S. Spiridonov, doctor M. N. Khrabostin and 268 lower ranks. About 2 o'clock in the day "Malaya" began to enter the harbor. A few regimental orchestras played on the shore, and the crowd met a steamer shouting "Hurray."
Japanese on board flooded "Varyag", 1904
The first to shore Captain 2 rank V. V. Stepanov. He was met by the priest of the Primorsk Church Father Atamansky, presented to the senior officer "Varyag" the image of St. Nicholas - the patron saint of the sailors. Then the team went ashore. According to the famous Potemkin stairs leading to the Nikolaev Boulevard, sailors rose upstairs and passed through triumphant Arch With the inscription from the flowers "Heroes of Chelpo."
Representatives of urban government met on the sailors boulevard. The urban head presented Stepanova Bread-salt on a silver dish with the coat of arms of the city and with the inscription: "Hi Odessa surprised the world of" Varyag "heroes." On the square in front of the Duma building, a prayer was served. Then the sailors went to the Saban barracks, where a festive table was covered for them. The officers were invited to the Junker School on a banquet, arranged by the military department. In the evening, the booms in the city theater showed a performance. At 15 o'clock on March 20, at the steamer "Saint Nicholas", the boosters went from Odessa to Sevastopol. A crowded crowd came to the embankments.
At the approaches to Sevastopol, the steamer met the Midworker with the raised signal "Hi to the bravets". Steamer "Saint Nicholas", decorated with flags of coloring, entered the Sevastopol raid. On the battleship "Rostislav" his arrival was welcomed by salute from 7 shots. The first on board the steamer rose the chief commander Black Sea Fleet Vice-Admiral N. I. Zhidlov.
Bypassing the system, he turned to the speech and speech to "healthy, native, congratulations on a brilliant feat, in which the Russians are able to die; you, as truly Russian sailors, surprised all the world, by the original courage, protecting the honor of Russia and the Andreevsky flag, Ready to die rather than to give the enemy the ship. I am happy to welcome you from the Black Sea Fleet and especially here in a long-suffering Sevastopol, a witnessed and keeper of the glorious combat traditions of our native fleet. Here every block of land Obagrens Russian blood. Here are the monuments to Russian heroes: I have you I bow low from all the Black Sea. At the same time, I can not resist, so as not to tell you very much as the former your admiral for the fact that all my instructions on the exercises you have done so nicely applied in battle! Be our desired guests! "Varyag" died , but the memory of your exploits is alive and many years will live. Hooray! "
Flooded "Varyag" during low tide, 1904
The monument to Admiral P. S. Nakhimov was served by a solemn prayer. Then the chief commander of the Black Sea fleet handed over the officers the highest diplomas for complained Georgiev crosses. It is noteworthy that for the first time by Georgievsky crosses, doctors and mechanics were awarded on a par with construction officers. With myself, the St. George Cross, Admiral jacked him to the Mundar of Captain 2 rank V. V. Stepanov. The warehouses were placed in the barracks of the 36th Fleet crew.
The Tauridic Governor asked the main commander of the port, so that the teams "Varyaga" and Korean, when following in St. Petersburg, stopped at the time in Simferopol to celebrate the heroes of Chelpo. The governor motivated his request also by the fact that his nephew Count A. M. Nirod died in battle.
Japanese cruiser "Soyuya" (formerly "Varyag") on a parade
At that time, in St. Petersburg was preparing for a meeting. The Duma took the following procedure for celebrating the Warry:
1) in the Nikolaev station by representatives of urban public administration, headed by the city head and chairman of the Duma, meeting the heroes, the submission of the "Varyaga" commanders and Korean bread-salt on artistic dishes, invitation of commanders, officers and class officials to the Duma meeting for declaring greetings from cities;
2) the address of the address artistically executed on the expedition of the preparation of state papers, with the presentation of the Council Resolution of the City Duma about honoring; Running all the officers of gifts totaling 5 thousand rubles;
3) treat the lower ranks in the folk house of Emperor Nicholas II; Issuance to each lower rank on a silver watch with the inscription "Hero of Chelpo", broken down the date of the battle and the name of the awarded (for the acquisition of hours, was distinguished from 5 to 6 thousand rubles, and 1 thousand rubles) were distinguished.
4) the device in the folk house of presentation for the lower ranks;
5) Establishment of two scholarships in memory of the heroic feat that will be appointed by students of marine schools - St. Petersburg and Kronstadt.
On April 6, 1904, the third and last group of the Varyiers arrived in Odessa's French steamer. Among them were the captain of 1 rank V. F. Rudnev, Captain 2 rank G. P. Belyaev, Lieutenanta S. V. Zarubaev and P. G. Stepanov, doctor M. L. Bastavikov, Feldscher with battleship "Poltava", 217 sailors With "Varyaga", 157 - from Korean, 55 sailors from Sevastopol and 30 Cossacks of the Trans-Baikal Cossack Division, guarding the Russian mission in Seoul. The meeting was as solemn as the first time. On the same day, on a steamer "Saint Nicholas", the heroes of Chelofo went to Sevastopol, and from there on April 10 an emergency train of the Kursk Railway - to St. Petersburg through Moscow.
On April 14, in a huge area of \u200b\u200bthe Kursk railway station, the seafarers met residents of Moscow. Orchestras of the Rostov and Astrakhan regiments played on the platform. V. F. Rudnev and G. P. Belyaev brought laurel wreaths with inscriptions on the white-blue-red ribbons: "Hooray Harbor and the glorious hero - the commander" Varyaga "and" Hooray Hurray and the glorious hero - the Korean commander. " All officers presented laurel wreaths without inscriptions, and the lower ranks are bouquets of flowers. From the station the sailors headed to Spassic barracks. The city head was presented by officers gold tokens, and the ships priest "Varyaga" Father Mikhail Rudnev - Golden cervical samples.
April 16, in the tenth o'clock in the morning, they arrived in St. Petersburg. The platform filled out meeting relatives, military, representatives of the administration, nobility, zemstvo and townspeople. Among those who meet were the heading of the Maritime Ministry, Vice-Admiral F. K. Avelan, head of the main sea headquarters Council Admiral 3. P. Rodless, his assistant A. Niedermiller, Chief Commander of the Kronstadt Port Vice-Admiral A. A. Birlev, Chief Medical Inspector Fleet Life-Surgeon V. S. Kudrin, St. Petersburg Governor Shadmayster O. D. Zinoviev, Gubernsky Leader of Nobility Count V. B. Gudovich and many others. Meet heroes cheeky arrived grand Duke Admiral General Alexey Alexandrovich.
A special train approached the platform exactly at 10 o'clock. A triumphal arch, decorated with state coat of arms, flags, anchors, Georgievskaya ribbons, etc. after a meeting and bypassing, building an admiral after a meeting and bypassing, the march of sailors from the Nikolaev station on the Nevsky Prospect for the Winter began. Palace. Scheng soldiers, a huge number of gendarmes and equestrian city bare barely restrained the onion of the crowd. The officers went ahead, behind them - the lower ranks. Flowers filled with balconies and roofs. Through the arch of the main headquarters, the heroes of Chelpo went to the square near Winter Palace, where they lined up opposite the royal entrance. The Great Prince General-Admiral Alexey Alexandrovich and the Maritime Minister of Adjutant F. K. Avelan, stood on the right flank. Emperor Nicholas II came out to the Varyaments.
He accepted the report, walked around and greeted the sailors "Varyaga" and "Korean". After that, they were a solemn march and proceeded to the St. George Hall, where worship took place. For the lower ranks in the Nikolaev room covered tables. All the dishes were depicting Georgievsky crosses. The concert hall covered a table with a gold service for the highest persons.
Nicholas II turned to the heroes of something with a speech: "I am happy, brothers, to see you all healthy and safely returned. Many of you have been brought to our fleet's chronicle, decent feathers your ancestors, grandfathers and fathers who committed them on "Azov" and "Mercury"; Now you gained a new page in the history of our fleet by your feat, the names of "Varyag" and "Korean" joined them. They will also be immortal. I am sure that every one of you will remain worthy of the reward that I gave you. All Russia and I read about those exploits that you appeared at the cleanpiece with love and trembling excitement. From the soul, thank you for supporting the honor of the Andreevsky flag and the dignity of the Great Holy Rus. I drink for further victories of our glorious fleet. For your health, brothers! "
At the officer table, the Emperor announced the establishment of a medal in memory of the Boe with at the fact that the officers and the lower ranks wearing. Then the reception in the Alexander Hall of the City Duma took place. In the evening, everyone gathered in the People's House of Emperor Nicholas II, where a festive concert was given. The lower ranks were presented with gold and silver clock, spoons with silver cuttings. Sailors received the "Peter Great" brochure and on an instance of the address from the St. Petersburg nobility. The next day, the team went on their crews. About the magnificent honorion of the heroes of cheeky, and therefore, and the whole country learned about the Boy "Varyag" and "Korean". People could not appear the shadows of doubt in the plausibility of the perfect feat. True, some fleet officers doubted the accuracy of the description of the battle.
By performing the last will of Heroes of Chelpo, the Russian government in 1911 turned to the Korean authorities asking to allow the dust of the killed Russian sailors to Russia. On December 9, 1911, a mourning motorcade headed from Chelpo in Seoul, and then railway to the Russian border. Throughout the path of following, the Koreans showered the platform with the remains of sailors with alive flowers. On December 17, a mourning motorcade arrived in Vladivostok. The burial of the remains took place on the sea cemetery. In the summer of 1912, Obelisk from gray granite with St. George Cross appeared above the fraternal grave. On four sides, the names of the dead were knocked out. As relied, the monument was built on folk money.
Then you forgot about the "Varyag" and the booms for a long time. They remembered only in 50 years. On February 8, 1954, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR "On awarding the medal" Over the courage "of the sailors of the cruiser" Varyag ". At first, only 15 people managed to find. These are their names: V. F. Bakalov, A. D. Voytsekhovsky, D. S. Zalideev, S. D. Krylov, P. M. Kuznetsov, V. I. Krutyakov, I. E. Kapalkov, M. E. Ka-Linkin, A.I. Kuznetsov, L. G. Mazurer, P. E. Poly-Kov, F. F. Semenov, T. P. Chibisov, A. I. Schetnek and I. F. Yaroslavtsev. Fedor Fedorovich Semenov turned 80 years old. Then found the rest. In total in 1954-1955 Medals received 50 sailors with "Varyag" and "Korean". In September 1956, a monument of V. F. Rudnene was opened in Tula. In the newspaper "True" Admiral Fleet N. G. Kuznetsov these days wrote: "The feat of" Varyaga "and" Korean "entered the heroic history of our people, to the Golden Foundation for the Soviet Fleet of the Soviet fleet."
Now I will try to answer a number of questions. The first question: for what merits so generously awarded everyone without exception? Moreover, the officers of the Korean canoners boat first received the next orders with swords, and then simultaneously with the worsens (at the request of the public) - also the orders of St. George 4th degree, that is, for one feat, they were awarded twice! The lower ranks received the signs of the Military Order - Georgievsky Crosses. The answer is simple: I really didn't want to the emperor Nicholas II to start a war with Japan with defeats.
Even before the war, the admiral of the maritime ministry was reported that without much difficulty would destroy the Japanese fleet, and if necessary, they can "arrange" the second Sinop. The emperor believed them, and then such bad luck immediately! At Chelpofo lost the newest cruiser, and 3 ships were damaged to the port arthr - squaded battleship "Cesarevich", "Retvosan" and the cruiser "Pallada". And the emperor, and the maritime ministry of this heroic hype "covered" misses and failures. It turned out believable and, most importantly, pompous and efficiently.
The second question: Who "organized the" Varyag "feat and" Korean "? The first was the first to fight the Heroian two people - the governor of the emperor in the Far East Admiral General E. A. Alekseev and the Senior Flagship Pacific squadron Vice Admiral O. A. Stark. The whole setting indicated that the war with Japan would begin. But they, instead of being prepared for the reflection of the sudden attack of the enemy, showed complete carelessness, and if more precisely, the criminal negligence.
The readiness of the fleet was low. The cruiser "Varyag" they themselves drove into the trap. To fulfill the tasks that they put the stationery ships in Chelpo, it was enough to send an old Korean canoner boat, which did not represent a special combat value, and not use the cruiser. When the occupation began to the Japanese Korea, they did not make any conclusions for themselves. V. F. Rudneva also did not have enough courage to decide on the care of cheek. As you know, the initiative on the fleet has always been punishable.
According to the fault of Alekseeva and Stark in Chetlpo, they were thrown on the mercy of the fate of "Varyag" and "Korean". Curious item. When holding a strategic game in 1902/03 academic year In the Nikolaev Maritime Academy, this situation was played: with the sudden attack of Japan, the cruiser and the gunboat remain unwanted to Russia. In the game sent at Chelpotpo, the Ministry of Justice will report the beginning of the war. The cruiser and the canonere boat have time to connect with the Port Arthur squadron. However, it really did not happen.
Question Third: Why did the commander "Varyaga" refused to break the breakthrough from Chelto and was he had such an opportunity? It worked the false sense of a partnership - "the killer himself, but comrades will cut out." Rudnev in the full sense of the word began to depend on the lowest "Korean", which could develop the speed of no more than 13 knots. "Varyag" had a speed of more than 23 knots, and this is 3-5 nodes more than that of Japanese ships, and 10 knots are greater than that of Korean. So the possibilities for an independent breakthrough of Rudnev were, and good. On January 24, Rudnev became aware of the rupture of diplomatic relations between Russia and Japan. But on January 26, the Morning train Rudnev went to Seoul to the Messenger for the Council.
Returning, he only on January 26, at 15 o'clock 40 minutes, he sent the Korean Country boat with the report to Port Arthur. Again the question: Why was the boat so late been sent to Port Arthur? It remains unexplained. Canoner boat from cheeky Japanese did not release. It has already begun war! In the reserve, Rudnev had another night, but also did not use it. Subsequently, the rejection of an independent breakthrough from Chelpo Rudnev explained the difficulties of navigation character: the Farvater in the port of Chelpo was very narrow, winding, and the external raid was aburred by hazards. That everyone knows. And indeed, the occasion at the cheeky in small water, that is, in the period of popular, is very complicated.
Rudnev seemed to not know that the height of the tides in cheeky reaches 8-9 meters (the maximum height of the tide is up to 10 meters). When sediment, a cruiser is 6.5 meters in full evening water, it was still possible to break through the Japanese blockade, but I did not use Rudnene. He stopped at the worst version - break through the day in the period of popular and together with the "Korean". What the solution led to, everyone knows.
Now about the welfare itself. There is reason to believe that the artillery is not quite competent on the cruiser "Varyag". The Japanese had a huge superiority in the forces, which they successfully implemented. This is seen from those damage that Varyag received.
According to the Japanese themselves, their ships remained unscathed in battle. In the official edition of the Japanese Sea General Staff "Description of hostilities at the sea in 37-38 years. Maji (in 1904-1905)" (t. I, 1909) We read: "In this battle, the enemy shells never got In our vessels and we did not suffer the slightest losses. "
Finally, the last question: why Rudnev did not bring the ship in order, and flooded it with a simple opening of Kingstons? The cruiser essentially was "donated to the Japanese fleet. Motivation Rudneva that the explosion could damage foreign ships, untenable. Now it becomes clear why Rudnev resigned. In the Soviet editions, the resignation is explained by the involvement of Rudnev to revolutionary affairs, but this is fiction. In such cases, in a Russian fleet with production in counter-admirals and with the right of wearing uniforms did not dismiss. Everything is explained much simpler: for the allowed misses in battle at twice the fleet officers did not accept Rudnev to their corps. It was aware of Rudnev himself. At first he was temporarily as a commander of the built linear ship "Andrei Varozvannaya", then filed a resignation report. Now, it seems, everything fell into place.
Since childhood, the Russians know the vigorous marching song "Top of you, comrades, all in places ...". They know that her the main character - Cruiser "Varyag", the heroic killed in battle with the superior forces of the Japanese during the war at the beginning of the twentieth century. Another, minor, song "Shrub Cold Waves" is known less. But it is devoted to the same event, and there is no contradiction.
The fate of the ship was ambiguous, and the truth about his feat was sacrificed to the requirements of propaganda.
American miracle technology
By the time of the beginning of the Russian-Japanese war in 1904 in Russian society in relation to the future enemy reigned "Shapkozakidate" mood. The defeat led to the opposite result: the technical achievements of the Japanese began to exaggerate.
This trend affected the evaluation of Varyag. At first, the cruiser was characterized as a powerful military unit, able to "shut up for the belt" of the enemy. Later, the statements appeared that this cruiser was weak and outdated. Both statements are incorrect. The case was not in the technique, but (as they would say today) in human factor.
Race of the fleet armament
Japan at the end of the XIX century lagged behind the developed states in technical terms, but already managed to make a grand economic breakthrough.
She did not reach the level of world powers, but was a decent competition to leading countries. For further development, the resources that are absent on the closest islands - so explains the militancy of the young "Asian tiger".
In 1895, Russian intelligence received information about the intention of Japan to increase their fleet so that he exceeds the Russian forces on Pacific Ocean.
It was not necessary to allow this - Russia herself had expansionist plans in China and Korea. An order to build the Varyag ship has become one of the steps to prevent Japanese domination.
American order
Import substitution has not been established - Russian shipyards worked slowly. So order to build armpalle Cruiser "Varyag" received shops of Philadelphia. They took up everything in 20 months. The guns of the cruiser were manufactured in Russia.
According to the project, the cruiser data answered all the newest (at that time) requirements for combat ship.
Description technical characteristics The ship allows you to present a powerful, high-speed, well-armed vessel.
- Overall dimensions: length - 129, 56 m, precipitate - 5.94 m, width - 15.9 m.
- Displacement - 6,500 tons (project), 6604 tons (by fact).
- Armor: Deck - from 37 to 76 mm, combat cut - 152 mm.
- The total power of the engines is 20 thousand liters. from.
- Maximum speed - 24.59 nodes (obtained on testing).
- Main caliber - 152 mm (12 pcs.).
- Other artillery - 24 guns (75-, 63-, 47-, 37 mm), 2 machine guns.
- Other weapons: 6 torpedo devices 381 mm, 2 * 254 mm, 35 min of barrier, 6 throwing mines.
- The team is 20 officers, 550 lower ranks (according to state). In real conditions, there were changes; So, at the time of the battle with the Japanese on the cruiser there were 558 people: 21 officer, 4 conductor, 3 hired civilian, priest, 529 sailors.
There were other wonders of technology.
There were many electricians on the ship (novelty for that time) - lifts for shells, winches for boats, even dough mixers. There was a telephone connection. The furniture was made of metal, although painted "for the entourage" under the tree. This reduced fire hazard.
Details not specified in the reports
In the original history of the Varyag cruiser, the facts predetermined him a short life. It was built and put in the customer in 1899 (that is, on time), but the flag above him understood only on January 2, 1901. The reason is that the ship immediately demanded improvements - the tactical and technical characteristics did not match the planned.
The main problems were two. The boilers installed on the ship's boilers were unreliable, often broken. Although the Russian fleet had already had experience with the boilers of this system, and they did not cause special problems, here "did not come around."
For this reason, in combat conditions, the ship was squirreling than planned, and constantly risked to be at the most inopportune moment with emergency boilers. Practically stated by manufacturers speed in 26 nodes was not achieved.
Typically, the ship did not give even shown during testing speed of 24.5 knots.
Captain V.F. Rudnev complained not only to problems with boilers, but also to other flaws of the manufacturer, and on a weak repair base. It is likely that his information about the maximum speed of the course of 14 nodes is understood, but the total speed of "Varyag" did not give.
In addition, armor cruiser armor cruiser tools were deprived. This created an additional risk for artillery and the combat capability of the cruiser (the enemy was easily destroyed by the arms of the ship).
This lack of armor protection played a fateful role in the famous battle of the Varyag cruiser with a Japanese squadron. Most cruisers of that time had such protection, but in this case The ship facilitated at the expense of tool armor.
The corresponding conclusions were made of the sad experience, on other cruisers of this type (including "Aurora") was established for the guns for guns. But the artilleryrs- "Varyaizians" it could no longer help.
Refinement in the course of service
Throughout his life, "Varyag" was twice subjected to solid upgrades. The first made the Japanese, raising the cruiser in 1905. During the repair, the navigator cutting, pipes, fans, driving bridges were changed, removed the poles of anti-mining networks and mamps. The guns of 75 mm caliber were replaced by 76-millimeter tools of Armstrong.
After returning in 1916, the ship's nasal and feeders of the main caliber were translated into the diametrical plane, resulting in the power of the side volley.
Machine guns were redested for aircraft shooting. Dead moves were eliminated in the mechanics. And the main thing - artillery received partial armor protection (shortened shields) - conclusions were made from the past.
Tsarist Sweet.
Upon completion of the improvements, the ship left Philadelphia and went to Kronstadt, where he arrived at the beginning of May 1901. After 2 weeks, he was examined personally King Nicholas II. It is impossible to deny - the cruiser looked perfectly, and his fate at first was successful.
The impression of the monarch was so good that he immediately included the cruiser as a group of self-escorting yacht for a trip to Europe. The decision was justified by the fact that the cruiser was still doomed to a long sailing to the place of service, he was attributed to Port Artur.
The ship visited many ports of old world, and everywhere he was met enthusiastically. The cruiser in the literal excursion was the excursions of the "good society" of those ports where he appeared. It was nice for the commander (V.F. Rudneva), but harmful from a military point of view. After all, during his trip, "Varyag" came in Nagasaki - the Japanese port from foreign seafarers is popular. Mikado's intelligence worked well, and it became possible to find out more about the Russian ship.
While the Russian command was fulfilled by confidence in his military superiority over the Japanese, they were preparing for war seriously. In Japan, the newest ammunition and artillery were taken to armared, the captains and admirals perfectly knew the theater of future hostilities, discipline and order reigned at all levels.
Russian sailors carried the service properly, but corruption in the top is not the invention of our days. Among the highest military leadership of Russia, there have been enough people incompetent people who do not want to be responsible for the consequences of their orders.
Some proven data
Of reliable information about the death of the Varyag cruiser is not so much. Facts were immediately brought sacrificing ideological feasibility.
Even the captain's report on the battle is abounding inaccuracies. But historians managed to restore the genuine picture.
Only facts
On December 27, 1903, Varyag went from Port Arthur at Chelpo. It was a neutral Korean port. An officially cruiser (he was accompanied by Korean's canoner) was supposed to communicate Port Arthur with a consulate in Seoul. In Chelpo Captain Rudnev learned about the beginning of the war.
On February 8 (new style), 1904, Svalpo bay was blocked by the squadron Admiral Urio. "Korean" made an attempt to break through in Port Arthur, but was stopped.
URIO presented with Russian ultimatum: get out of the bay and take the battle, or be attacked by the raid where the ships of other states were. The Japanese squadron counted 15 pennants. Officers of foreign ships categorically did not suit the version of the shelling of the Russians on the raid - they would also hit "under the distribution."
And Captain Rudnev decided to try to go for a breakthrough.
Varyag came out of Chelpo at noon on February 9 and was attacked by the Japanese. The fight continued for an hour. The cruiser suffered greatly, it was dead and wounded. Because of the damage gained, I had to return to the port. "Korean" went on, because he could not hide with the Japanese at speed.
Ships were decided to destroy. "Varyag" died of his hands. Foreigners categorically responded to his explosion, and the cruiser was flooded by opening Kingstons.
The teams "Varyag" and "Korean" sheltered the ships of Great Britain, Italy and France. US sailors assisted wounded.
Flight to history
There are still facts regarding the posthumous history of the ship. The story of the feat of the Varyag cruiser quickly became famous. When the team returned to Russia (first the sailors were interned), the king accepted them. All the participants of the fight were received by St. George crosses, officers - orders.
We also issued awards of the landed property - the sailors received from the emperor, registered hours. V.F. Rudnev was produced in counter-admirals.
The results of the battle were described hardly like a victory. The stories about two damaged Japanese cruisers have greeted (one even allegedly sank) and several surrounded destroyers. The report of Captain Rudneva spoke about a thousand and more released shells.
"Varyag" became a symbol of loyalty to the Fleet traditions and military valor. Already in 1954, the Soviet government found living by the time of the battle of the battle by the battle of the battle and rewarded their medals "for courage." The monument to Cruiser "Varyag" was songs and poems, and not only in Russia.
It is believed that the canonical text "Top You, Comrades" is a free translation of the poem of the German author. About the cruiser mentioned in the books. In 1946, the Soviet film "Cruiser" Varyag ", and the" main role "in it went to" Aurora ", and in fact, there was no more revered, symbolic ship in the USSR! For the shooting, the symbol of the revolution even attached an additional stuffing tube.
In the Naval Museum in St. Petersburg there is a model (scale of 1:64) a cruiser made in the United States in 1901. There is also a model of its steam machine (1:20), it appeared in the 1980s, the author is S.I. Zhukovitsky.
These are all the facts. But they do not respond to some questions, weakly lit in real story "Varyaga".
Caverzny questions
They are: not everything is clear in the biography of "Varyag" and the history of his death.
- Why did the cruiser be sent to Chetlpo with the "postal" mission? Is there really little Korean to establish a connection with the consulate?
- Why did European and American officers objected to the explosion of the cruiser?
- Is the Japanese ships drowned?
- Is the cruiser really shot most of his waters? After all, by the end of the short battle, he lost ¾ artillery, and the officer on the range finder died in one of the first?
- Why didn't "Varyag" did not go to a breakthrough one, leaving "Korean"? A snare canoner (13 nodes) was a dangerous brake for the cruiser, and the team could have been evacuated.
- Why did the Japanese be easy to raise and repair the ship? The recovery of "Varyag" was completed in July 1907, and the cruiser was 9 years old under the Japanese flag.
- Why did the counter-admiral Rudnev shortly after the assignment of the title resigned?
Without answers to these questions it is impossible to know the history of the famous ship, what it really was.
The truth about the cruiser "Varyag" was uncomfortable for the propaganda car, and in the please, she was hidden. Due to conscious concealment and distortion of facts, not all uncomfortable questions have answers even now.
Answers to uncomfortable questions
But there are answers, and they create a different picture than the official "biography" of the cruiser.
- "Postal" destination Cruiser is difficult to explain. According to one of the versions, it took in order to deliver to the homeland of the Korean ambassador. But still it is unclear why the ambassador should have riding necessarily on the cruiser. In Chelpo, at that time he was already the cruiser "Boyar", and "Varyag" was to replace him. The port was officially neutral, but there were enough foreign warships. It was probably an attempt to fight for influence in Korea.
- The motives of the actions of foreigners are unclear. They probably did not want to clearly take the direction of Russia. The United States was clearly not interested in Russia to become the leading Pacific Power. The Portsmouth World showed that the Americans needed to weaken Russia and Japan.
- "Varyag" did not sink a single enemy ship, although damage to them struck. One of the Japanese cruisers after a meeting with Russian was forced to stand for a long repair.
- The scale of the defense "Varyag" is exaggerated. Raising the cruiser, the Japanese discovered the reserves of unspent ammunition on it, so that Captain Rudneva's data about shooting is overestimated. Data on the costs of the main caliber shells are not too much (but fifty 152-millimeters is quite a lot). However, Rudnene allowed himself to exaggerate the flow and other ammunition.
- The principle "Self-killed himself, and comrades will cut out" is highly high. In Russian fleet, the tradition was read, but in the case of the fight in the cheerleep, the cruiser was unreasonable to destroy the cruiser. The true cause of such a decision is unclear. Captain Rudnev referred to the difficulty of passing a local fairway. There is a version that Craiser did not give permission to exit Russian Messenger Pavlov.
- In the area of \u200b\u200bflooding cruiser, the bay had an insufficient depth. "Varyag" sank not completely, and it was not difficult to raise it. Repair turned out to be more difficult - work continued until 1907. Repair cost Million Yen. The cruiser walked as part of the Japanese fleet as a training ship. Officially, he was called "soy", but the inscription "Varyag" on the stern was preserved as a sign of respect for the courage of the enemy. He was assigned the 2nd rank (when building - 1st).
- Specialists in Russia knew the real picture of what had happened. Experienced sailors could appreciate the non-professionalism of the actions as command in Port Arthur and Captain Rudnev. It could cause his resignation. But the high bosses could not be recognized as incompetent.
It does not correspond to the reality and idea of \u200b\u200bthe death during the battle of all or almost the entire Cruiser team. Losses during the battle were small.
On the cruiser, 1 officer and 30 of the lower ranks were killed, 85 sailors and 6 officers were seriously injured and contused (including captain). There was no loss at the Korean at all. But the folk song talked about the "boiling sea beneath us" and the lack of "stone and cross" in memory of the sailors, and this version was fixed in the mass consciousness.
In fact, many sailors of the cruiser were destined to long life, and their graves were preserved in Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, Yaroslavl.
Technology of legend
What was required to hide the truth and invent beautiful legends and myths about "Varyag"?
Then, to hide the fact that the first battle in the war with Japan ended for the Russian fleet by defeat.
And it was not guilty of this was not sailors and officers (from the deceased on Varyaga, Michman found only her hand, and this hand did not release the rangefinder), but the top leadership of the country.
For the sake of propaganda, the sailors were turned into superheroes, who were almost half of the Japanese squadron were hardly dealt. They honored the glorious traditions, did not throw comrades and died under the uncompressed flag. Many contemporaries (and descendants - all the more) did not even understand that Varyag was sweeping on the raid.
There was no need to discharge the necessary legend about "Varyag". The heroism of sailors (and he was present) justified the partially shameful defeat in the war. Further beautiful picture From the past was useful for the upbringing of the younger sailors. The genuine history of the "Varyaga" team, which really behaved with adequate and showed the true loyalty of the oath, did not bother anyone.
Pouch, guy, knitie knots ...
Not sea, but those that are associated with their homeland.
In 1916, Japan (now an ally on Antante) together with two ships returned the cruiser of Russia. It is noteworthy that Russia had to pay for the "Varyag" - officially he was sold.
He did not stay in the Pacific, and, having passed a partial modernization in Vladivostok, his move was transferred to the North seaway In Romanov-on-Murman (Murmansk).
The ship needed repair, and for this purpose, in early 1917 was sent to England. There he caught the news of the revolution, and the "allies" requisitioned him by making it up from it. In 1919, Varyag was sold for scrap, but he did not reach the place, sowing on the reefs. In 1925, the ship was completely destroyed.
But this is not the end of the story. In 1979, a missile cruiser was laid in the Soviet Ukraine series. Today Varyag again the thunderstorm of the Far East, the flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet..
Another ship with such a name was built in Nikolaev. After the collapse of the USSR, the Varyag aircraft carrier went to Ukraine, but she could not and did not want to hold it. In 1998, the Aviance Cruiser Varyag was sold to China.
They remember that in 1905, the Japanese invaders cut the heads of the Chinese, considering the victims of thousands. Under the name "Liaoning" brand "Varyag" patrols the seas under the red flag. It is weaker than the project provided for, but the invaders are still better not to fall under his distribution.
The feat of the Varyag cruiser overtook legends that have little in common with the real destiny of the ship and its crew. True simple: Russian sailors were able to fulfill orders and follow the rules of honor.
We before the enemy did not flatten the glorious Andreevsky staging ...
Video
Probably, there is not a single person in Russia who would not have heard about the suicidal feat of the Varyag cruiser. Despite the fact that the events described below have passed more than a hundred years, the memory of unheard of heroism still lives in the hearts and memory of people. But at the same time, knowing in general terms the story of this legendary ship, we miss many amazing details that are rich in his fate. The beginning of the 20th century was marked by the collision of the interests of two rapidly developing empires - Russian and Japanese. The stumbling block of Russia owned by Russia in the Far East, which the Japanese emperor slept and saw his country belonging. On February 6, 1904, Japan ruined all diplomatic relations with Russia, and already on February 9, the port of Selfpo was blocked, where the Varyag was unwitting at that time.
Made in usa.
The armored cruiser of the 1st rank was laid in 1898. The construction was carried out on the shipyards of William Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia. In 1900, the cruiser passed the Navy of the Russian Empire. According to the commander of Cruiser Rudneva, the ship was delivered with many construction defects, because of which, as expected, he could not develop the speed of over 14 nodes. "Varyag" was even going to return back to repair. However, on the tests in the fall of 1903, the cruiser developed the speed almost equal to the initial tests.
Diplomatic mission "Varyag"
Since January 1904, the famous cruiser has been at the disposal of the Russian embassy in Seoul, stood in the neutral Korean port of Chelpo and did not make any hostilities. According to the angry irony of fate, "Varyago" and the Korean canonerer boat, I had to join the deliberately losing fight, the first in the wrong lost war.
Before fight
On the night of February 8, the Japanese cruiser "Tiode" was hidden from the port of Chelpo. His care was not left unnoticed for Russian sailors. On the same day, "Korean" went to Port Arthur, but at the exit of heaven was subject to a torpedo attack and was forced to return back to the raid. On the morning of February 9, the captain of the first rank Rudnev received the official ultimatum of the Japanese Admiral Uriu: to surrender and leave the nervos before noon. The exit from the port blocked the Japanese squadron, so that the Russian ships were trapped, to get out of which there was not a single chance.
"No conversation about delivery"
At about 11 o'clock in the morning, his commander addressed the command of the cruiser with a speech. From his words followed that he did not intend to the enemy so just to surrender. Sailors fully supported their captain. Shortly after that "Varyag" and "Korean" starred from the raid to go to his the last fightWhile the team of foreign warships gave the honor to Russian sailors and performed national anthem. In respect, the brass bands on the Allied ships were performed by the State Anthem of the Russian Empire.
Fight at cheek
"Varyag" is almost alone (the closed canoner does not count) came out against the Japanese squadron, numbering 6 cruisers and 8 destroyers equipped with more powerful and modern weapon. The first hit was shown by all Varyag vulnerabilities: due to the lack of armor towers, instrumental calculations carried large losses, and the explosions led to a malfunction of the gun. During the hour of the battle, Varyag received 5 submarines, countless overworked and lost almost all the tools. In the conditions of a narrow Farviter, the cruiser was stranded, presenting a seductive fixed target, but then some miracle, to the surprise of the Japanese, he managed himself with her. During this hour, "Varyag" released 1105 shells on the enemy, sank one destroyer and damaged 4 Japanese cruisers. However, as the Japanese authorities subsequently approved, no target with a Russian cruiser reached the target, and there was no damage and losses at all. On the "Varyag" loss among the crew were large: one officer and 30 sailors were killed, about two hundred people were injured or were controversial. According to Rudnev, there was no uniform opportunity to continue the battle in such conditions, so it was decided to return to the port and flood the ships so that they did not get as trophies to the enemy. The teams of Russian ships were sent to neutral vessels, after which Varyag was flooded by opening Kingstons, and Korean blew up. It did not prevent the Japanese to get the cruiser from the bottom of the sea, repair it and turn it on in the squadron called Soya.
Medal for the defeat
At the homeland of Heroes of Chelpo, they waited for large honors, despite the fact that the battle was actually lost. The crew of Varyag was awarded the solemn admission from Emperor Nicholas II and received many awards. The crews of French, German and English vessels standing on the raid during the battle at Chelpo were enthusiastically responded about brave Russians. Surprisingly the other: their opponents were considered the heroic act of Russian sailors - the Japanese. In 1907, Vsevolod Rudnene (by the time of Nicholas II), the Japanese emperor was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun as a date of respect for the courage and perseverance of Russian sailors.