In the annals of Russian naval history, a special place is occupied by the tragic page associated with the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, during which the incredible resilience of Russian sailors, who found themselves in a desperate situation, manifested itself in the early hours of the conflict. gunboat "Korean" And the cruiser Varyag faced an unequal confrontation with the Japanese fleet, an episode that became a symbol of courage and loyalty to the oath of legend and songwriting.
The fate of this small but proud boat was dramatic, built in Sweden for the Russian Imperial Navy, and was intended to serve in the Far East, where low-draught boats were needed. "Korean" It was not designed for squadron combat, it was designed to patrol coastal waters and support ground forces, but history has otherwise ordered it to be part of one of the most famous naval battles of the early twentieth century.
The technical details and circumstances of the boat's sinking provide a better understanding of the engineering and heroism of the men who operated the complex machinery under heavy fire. In this article, we will examine in detail the history of the creation, the tactical and technical specifications and the circumstances of the last battle in which she participated. gunboat "Korean"We will pay special attention to the facts that are often distorted in popular literature, and analyze the real capabilities of the boat in the conditions of that time.
History of the creation and technical features of the project
The boat was designed and built at Berglund shipyards in Gothenburg, Sweden, and was ordered in 1898 and laid in 1899, requiring specialized vessels to operate in shallow Pacific areas where large cruisers and battleships could not maneuver effectively. The Korean Cannon Boat It was a response to this need, representing a typical representative of the Canlodok class of the late nineteenth century.
The hull was made of steel, which provided the necessary strength, but also imposed restrictions on the weight of the armor, the designers relied on maneuverability and the ability to navigate in shallow waters, commissioned in 1901, after which the boat made a long transition to the Far East to take its place in the Pacific squadron. Displacement The boat was only 425 tons, making it an easy target for large-caliber artillery, but allowed it to operate where other boats landed at the bottom.
The main driving force was two triple-expansion steam engines powered by two propellers, produced in two cylinder boilers, a propulsion system that was standard at the time, but for a boat of this size, it provided a perfectly acceptable speed, but the range was poor, limiting the range of operations without frequent coal refueling.
- 🚢 Type of boat: river/sea gunboat of ocean class.
- ⚓ Year of launching: 1901 (Sweden, Gothenburg).
- ⚙️ Power plant: 2 steam machines triple expansion, 2 boilers.
- 🛡️ Reservations: 12-25 mm deck, 25 mm deck (very weak).
It is important to note that gunboat "Korean" It was designed to be used for colonial wars and suppression of rebellions, not for duels with modern cruisers, and its artillery armament included two 120-mm Canet guns and four 47-mm cannons of Gotchkis, enough to fire coastal targets or fight junks, but not enough for a full-fledged naval battle against squadrons.
When studying the history of boats of the early XX century, pay attention to the difference between the "sea" and "river" class. "Korean" was formally considered a sea, but its design had many river features, which reduced seaworthiness in storms.
Technical and tactical specifications of the boat
To understand the scale of the tragedy and heroism of the crew, you need to consider the figures in detail. The Korean Cannon Boat It was 58.8 meters long and 9.1 meters wide, and it was only 3.4 meters long, allowing it to enter the mouths of major rivers and operate in skerries, and had about 80 crew members, including officers, and for a boat of this size, it was a dense padding, which in combat caused high casualties even from shrapnel.
The full speed was 13 knots, which was considered an average by 1904 standards, but in battle conditions, when it was necessary to evade shells or take a favorable position, this was not enough. The Japanese cruisers that had to encounter Chemulpo, reached speeds of 22-23 knots, making flight or maneuvering impossible. Range of navigation The economic course was about 1,500 miles, but when boilers were forced, the coal stock melted before our eyes.
Below is a table with the main specifications, allowing you to compare the capabilities of the boat with typical representatives of the class of the time.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 425 tons | Normal. |
| Length/width | 58.8/9.1m | Extended body |
| Speed (max) | 13 knots | On the test. |
| Artillery | 2×120 mm, 4×47 mm | No rapid-fire 75mm. |
| Crew | 79 persons | Officers and sailors |
⚠️ Attention: And don't underestimate the role of small craft in the early twentieth century. gunboat "Korean" It served alongside large units, often at the forefront of events where the interests of the empire lay.
The artillery armament required qualified maintenance. 120-mm guns had a range of up to 80 cable, but the rate of fire was low. 47-mm guns of Gochkis were designed to repel attacks of destroyers, but in battle with cruisers their role was reduced to creating a smoke screen and attempts to hit the superstructures of the enemy at close range. A unique fact is that the Korean became the first Russian boat to open fire in the Russo-Japanese War, firing its first volley before the main battle of the Varyag.
Service in the Far East and pre-war weekdays
After arriving in the Far East "Korean" The boat was based in Port Arthur, the main fortress of the Russian fleet in the Pacific, and the canlodkas were used for patrol, transport and hydrographic work, often to deliver cargo and people to places where large boats could not reach, a routine but important work that ensured the survival of the squadron.
The crew consisted of experienced sailors, many of whom had served in the Baltic and Black Sea. gunboat "Korean" Under his leadership, the crew regularly conducted artillery firing and exercises, although they understood the vulnerability of their vessel in the event of a major war.
As the war eve got worse, Japanese diplomacy played a game while the fleet prepared for strike. The Korean Cannon Boat The Varyag was stationed with the cruiser at Chemulpo, Korea, as a stationary boat representing the state in a foreign port, a position that required keeping an eye on, but few expected the attack to start with a torpedo attack on the squadron at Port Arthur, with Chemulpo at the epicenter first.
- 🌊 Main location: Port Arthur.
- 📍 Last stop: Incheon (Chemulpo), Korea.
- ⚓ Tasks: patrol, hydrography, representative functions.
- 👨✈️ Commander: Captain of the 2nd rank G. P. Belyaev.
On the eve of the battle, on January 26 (February 8, New Style), 1904, Japanese boats began arriving at the port of Chemulpo, first with transports of troops, then with destroyers and finally with cruisers, it became apparent that the Japanese were blocking the port, Russian boats were trapped: to go to the open sea meant to engage with superior forces, to stay - to take battle in the narrowness of the port, which threatened death.
Why didn’t the Koreans and the Varyags leave for Port Arthur in advance?
The situation changed rapidly, the command expected a diplomatic solution or at least time to evacuate, and the Korean had a small coal reserve and could not make the long crossing without bunkering, which was impossible under the blockade.
The Battle of Chemulpo: Chronology of the Last Battle
The morning of January 27 (February 9), 1904, was the last day of peaceful life for the crews of Russian boats. Japanese Rear Admiral Urio Soto issued an ultimatum: leave the port before 12 p.m. or be attacked. The Russian sailors made the only decision possible for the fleet to go to sea and take the fight. The Korean Cannon BoatDespite its small size, it stood in the kilvater of the Varyag.
At 11:20, the Russian squadron left the port, and at the exit, a Japanese squadron of six cruisers and eight destroyers was waiting for them, and the first to open fire was the Japanese destroyers who tried to attack from the flanks. "Korean"As he was in formation, he was the first to return fire with 120 mm guns, and that was the moment of truth: a small craft against an armada, and the shells were lying dangerously close, raising the pillars of water.
During the battle gunboat "Korean" One of the shells struck the side in the bow area, causing a fire in the coal pit, water began to flow, the roll began to increase, the speed fell, and the boat began to lag behind the Varyag. Commander Belyaev decided to break down so as not to interfere with the cruiser's maneuvers, and headed to the shore, continuing to shoot back from the surviving guns.
☑️ Factors that influenced the outcome of the battle
By 12:30 the battle was effectively over, and the Varyag, which had been seriously damaged, returned to port. The Korean Cannon BoatThe hull, which had suffered critical damage and lost its course, also returned to the raid, but was no longer able to resist further, the boat was burning, water was approaching the boilers, and it became clear that it was impossible to save the boat.
⚠️ Attention: There is a myth that the Korean sank right after the battle, and in fact, the boat stayed afloat for several hours while the crew was engaged in rescuing the wounded and preparing to destroy the boat so that it would not fall to the enemy.
Destruction of the boat and the fate of the crew
When they returned to the port of Chemulpo, the commanders were asked what to do with the damaged boats, and if they were to be taken to the Japanese, they would have violated their oath. gunboat "Korean" It was actually a pile of metal with a burning gut, and it was decided to destroy the boats.
The crew of the Korean opened the kingstons (bottom valves) to sink the boat, and laid the explosive charges. Around 18:00, an explosion thundered, the boat began to sink rapidly stern, then overturned and went under water. "Korean" They lay down, and they were left in the waters of the Yellow Sea, and some of the artillery and machinery was saved and later used in the defense of Port Arthur.
The fate of the crew was dramatic, but honorable: the sailors were interned by neutral countries (mainly England and France) whose boats were in port, they were not prisoners, but they could not return to Russia immediately, and only after a long time, through third countries, they reached the port of Odessa, where they were greeted as heroes.
- 💥 Time of flooding: January 27 (February 9) 1904, evening.
- 📍 Location of death: raid of the port of Chemulpo (now Incheon, South Korea).
- 🚑 Losses in battle: no killed, 6 people wounded (on the Korean).
- 🏆 Awards: the entire crew was later awarded the Order of St. George 4th degree.
Interestingly, the Japanese were highly respectful of the enemy, and Admiral Urio Soto even visited the wounded on hospital boats and expressed admiration for the courage of the Russians. The Korean Cannon Boat It is a symbol that even a small craft can write its name in history if it is driven by people with big hearts.
The main result of the battle of Chemulpo was not a tactical victory (it could not have been), but a moral effect. The feat of the Varyag and the Korean lifted the spirit of the army and navy at a difficult moment of the war, becoming an example to follow.
Memory and historical significance of the feat
Decades passed, but the name The Korean gunboat In Soviet and post-Soviet times, streets, schools and even new boats were named after the boat, the story of Chemulpo's feat became part of the school curriculum and cultural code, and the song "The Sea Is Widely Scattered..." is still the anthem of Russian sailors' courage.
Today, interest in the history of the Russo-Japanese War is resurgent, with submarine expeditions to the site of the sinking of boats, and although the exact locations of the Varyag and Korean are known, they are protected monuments. "Korean" And he remained lying on the bottom, overgrown with corals and rust, a silent witness to the events that changed the course of the history of the Far East.
Studying the history of this boat, we see not just dry TTH numbers, but the living history of people. The Korean Cannon BoatIt's not just the caliber of the gun that matters, but the strength of the spirit that's relevant to today's navigators and anyone interested in fleet history.
Is it true that the Korean was made of wood?
No, that's a common misconception. The Korean Cannon Boat Wood was used only for interior decoration and deck flooring in some places, but the supporting structures were metal, which corresponded to the standards of the early twentieth century.
Is there a copy of the boat?
There is no complete running copy of the Korean, but in museums of naval glory (for example, in St. Petersburg or Vladivostok) you can find detailed models and models that recreate the appearance of the boat during its service and death.
Who is depicted in the picture of the battle?
The most famous painting of the Varyag and the Korean exiting the port is the contrast between the small silhouette of the canlod and the hordes of Japanese cruisers, highlighting the dramatic situation.