The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-12
RUSSIAN CRUISERS.

WHAT RUSSIA rs DOING TO PREPARE HERSELF FOR
POSSIBLE WAR WITH ENGLAND.
Russian correspondence ofthe Newcastle Chronicle
Very considerable stir is being occasioned in
Russian naval circles in regard to the contemplated
development of the cruiser fleet. 1t is stated that
for some weeks past the Russian Admiralty has been
receiving from every part Of the Continent an1 from
America specifications for the construction of swift
steaming privateers. and these undergoing
examination at the hands Of the special committee,
presided over by Admiral Lesovsky himself.
If America secures the leading contract Eng
land will gain nothing from their victory. but il
the native firms successful much OF the ma
chinery will be obtained from this country. or tho
two, the Tyne firms more in favor than those on
the Neva. The Russian cruiser fleet is already Of
respectable proportions It consists OF the Moscow
cruiser squadron. the Atlantic cruiser squadron and
the regular Of the Russian navy added dur
ing the last four years. The Moscow consists of the
Russia the Moscow. the Petersburg, the Mini Nov
gorod and the Yaroslavl. The Russia IL
OF the Transatlantic feet and is 34S feet long, 80 feet
broad; displacement, 5000 tons; engines indicated
steaming 4.7OO' miles; cost $500 OUO built at
Greenock The Moscow cost $500 000 and is the SIS
ter ship to the celebrated cruiser Cmbria. The
Petersburg is little smaller, and cost $500 900. The
Mini Novgorod formerly the Saxonia, OF Glasgow
cost SIS 900, and is now stationed of the island of
Saghaen. The other vessels are either in the Black
Marseilles, and being fitted out for per-
manent service in the Pacific. Up to last November.
when the latest report Of the Moscow Committee
was issued the expenses involved by the prvateers
were 3,333. 600 rubes. The committee had then in
hand Os2 525 rubies. which has since been raised
by subscriptions to over 100000 rubles. few
weeks ago the committee ordered the construction
of the at the works of the FORCES ct Chan
Marseilles. the price or the engines and hull
being fixed at $500. 900. The meetings of the COM
mittee, which includes some of the leading officials
of the Russian Admiralty. are held at the Anitchkof
Palace frequently under the presidency of the
Cesarevitch himself The hero OF the fabricated
Usufo
iron-clad in the Black Sea-Captain Baranof-is
| modore Of the feet
The committee has published . handbook for
the guidance of its officers the Cruises of the Sum-
cruiser captains are fred by the circumstance that
the Sumter, steamer OF 500 tons and furnished
with crew OF 10 officers and 96 sesmen. captured in
months IS vessels. burned z and released, after
receiving heavy indemnity two others, "experienc-
| ing not single unpleasantness any occasion"
This was In 1861. The next year. the sumter being
| worn out, Captain Semmes hoisted his dag on the
| corvette Alabama, Of 1000 tons Qength 800 feet
| breadth 80. engines GOO horse power. speed IA
| knots and of IL officers and los men) q
steamer which the committee consider i'm
years the Alabama destroyed IS vessels and
| extineuished the mercantile marine of the United
| States. What single Confederate did with scanty
| means aud two inferior vessels the committee be-
eves be surpassed by its magnificent
its fleet OF five rapid steamers and its brave officers
and seamen, the pick Of the Russian navy" The
Atlantic Cruiser Squadron is sometimes mixed up
with the Squadron of the Moscow Committee. They
which private semi official property, chiefly
designated for the Pacific and in Australian
waters. Those of the Atlantic squadron which are
government steamers intended for cruising on
the American coast. The squadron comprises the
zabiska. The particulars Of the Asia will give .
good idea OF this class OF cruiser. 1t was
formerly the Columbus. built by Cramp; of Phila-
$275.OOO. The cost of converting 1t into cruiser
S375O00 1t is 25 tlong IS feet broad 10 feet
deep; displacement $500 tons; engines. 225 nom.
inal 200 indicated horse power; speed. 1875
knots coal capacity tor 500 tons for mileage OF
II. 500 miles. covered in thirtyfve days. Her
consists of three sx-inch rifed guns vevov-
ing platforms. four three-pounders aud torpcdoes
which materially differs from the rest. being
specially constructed Tor prvateer service ron the
designs taken to America by Captain semetchkin, Of
the Russian Admiralty. in the autumn of 1873 1t is
1900 tons; engines. 200 nominal horse power
speed, Il knots. 1t has been estimated that
the cost of those five vessels. with their armaments
&c. has exceeded 1000 900 stcrling All OF them
now Mt Cronstadt. and form the irregular branch
of the Russian navy. 1t is believed that the Asia
and perhaps one or two more of her consorts. will
return to the Atlantic being stationed of the French
COMPOSITION OF THE FLEET
The regular cruiser feet of the Russian navy con
ssts OF three ronclad rgates and ten clippers and
corvettcs. Russia has other vessels which might
do service in the Baltic. but none that she would
send to the ocean to scatter English ship
ping. The three iron-clad frigates are tho
Menin, the General Admiral and the Duke OF
Edinburgh. The former vessel leaves tho Mediterra
mean in day two for the Pacific. She Is 2s5 fee
long. ~ broad. 1850 tons displacement, engines
$500 indicated horse power. speed 10 knots. armo
q inches thick and armament four 12Ia ton and two
7-ton guns mounted bdrtee All three vessels are
the same all have large spread of and all
cruisers.in the very best sense OF the term. TIT
General Admiral Is being tted out at Cronstadt ant
the Duke of Edinburgh is still i'm the builder
hands. Both will be ready for service by next sum
mcr. The clipper neet consists of the Kreutze
and Digit Doth at vladivostock), the Je,ntch IONS
lat Svcaborg) and the Rasboinik Naezdnik Plastoon
stelok. nov being completed at Cronstadt. All have
been constructed since 1885, and designed for the
Pacific fleet. They 2l4 feet long, 10 broad IA fec
deep, dis placement 1874 tons, engines $50 nomna
or 1900 Indicated horse power speed 10 knots, Goa
supply for IA days; guns three 6inch of krupp con
struction on revolving platform OH the upper deck
and inber OF four-pounder carronades. Thre