Gunboat ''Brave'' (Khromov V.). description of the design of a gunboat. naval gunboat service

The seaworthy gunboat "Brave" was laid down on December 15, 1894, launched a year later and in 1897 became part of the Baltic Fleet.
Just a few days after the start of the First World War, a gunboat from the Skerry detachment was transferred to the area of ​​the Moonsund archipelago, which had important operational and strategic importance for the defense of the theater. In August 1915, the Brave, together with the battleship Slava and other ships, thwarted the German fleet's attempt to break into the Gulf of Riga with well-aimed artillery fire. In the spring of 1916, as soon as the ice melted, the Brave, which was wintering in Moonsund, again went out into the Gulf of Riga, carried out patrol duty, and provided fire support to the ground forces. The effectiveness of the gunboat's fire was very high. Only on June 19, the Brave, together with two destroyers, disabled up to a battalion of enemy troops, suppressed an artillery battery and destroyed part of the fortifications. On July 27, operating under aviation cover in the Irben Strait, he fired at a group of enemy minesweepers, two of which, having been hit, were forced to run ashore.
Restored in 1920, the gunboat was renamed "Red Banner" on December 31, 1922. From the very first days of the Great Patriotic War The gunboat "Red Banner" took an active part in the defense of the coast of the Vyborg and Narva bays, distinguished itself in defending the distant approaches to Tallinn, and defended the heroic Leningrad.
On the night of November 16, 1942, while anchored in the bay of Lavensari Island, the ship was suddenly attacked by enemy torpedo boats and, having been hit by a torpedo, sank. It lay on the ground for almost a year, and then, raised by Baltic rescuers, it was towed away for repairs. Reborn in September 1944, the gunboat returned to service. In the post-war years, the boat "Red Banner" continued to remain in the combat fleet of the fleet until the spring of 1956, then for several years it was used as a training ship and in 1960, having fully fulfilled its duty to the Motherland, it was excluded from the lists of the fleet.

Publisher: Modeler-constructor

Year of publication: 2011

Pages: 35

Language: Russian

Quality: average

It was designed according to the tactical and technical specifications of the Maritime Technical Committee (MTK), on the direct instructions of the Manager of the Maritime Ministry, Vice Admiral N.M. Chikhacheva. The chief builder of the boat was appointed naval engineer G.F. Schlesinger. The project provided for a displacement of 1,500 tons, a speed of 14 knots, an armored belt, an armored deck and conning tower, and reinforced artillery armament. The ship was intended to support its squadron, protect the water area and provide artillery support for its troops in the coastal theater of military operations.

The ship's hull was riveted from Siemens-Martin steel, had a forecastle, a double bottom, an upper and armored carapace deck, and was assembled using a bracket system. The stem of the gunboat protruded forward under water, forming a kind of ram that reached the armored (living) deck. The sternpost was also made of steel and weighed 2.5 tons. Outside there were zygomatic carinae, located in the middle part of the hull, which ensured a reduction in roll. 76 frames were installed across the hull, with a spacing of about 915 mm. At the level of the upper and living decks, the frames were closed with beams made of box-shaped steel. To ensure longitudinal strength, stringers made of steel sheets with a thickness of 4.8 mm to 6.3 mm were installed along the horizontal keel. The outer plating of the ship was made of steel sheets 9.5 mm thick, and the upper deck was covered with steel sheets 3 mm thick. In addition, on top of the steel sheets, the upper deck was decked with 63 mm thick teak boards. The wooden flooring was attached to the skin with bolts and provided wear resistance, insulated the steel deck from the sun, prevented the metal from sweating when the steam heating was on, and did not slip during rain and frost, which made it possible to run along the upper deck during emergency situations. The ship had an onboard armor belt consisting of 12 armor plates on each side with a thickness of 127 mm in the middle part, which decreased towards the ends to 76.2 mm. To absorb the impact of the projectile, a wooden lining made of larch was installed under the armor. The armor plates were attached with special bolts to the steel hull plating. Additional protection for the hull was provided by coal pits located under the cut of the armored deck. The armored deck consisted of plates 38 mm thick, which were located slightly above the waterline, and at the ends descended below the waterline and had a thickness of 19 mm. In the bow of the upper deck, two main caliber guns with armor shields were placed on the side sponsons. Along the side sections of the upper deck, from the bow 203-mm guns to the stern combat searchlight, there were high box-shaped bulwarks. Heating of the premises was provided by steam heating. The ship was equipped with an armored bow conning tower with an armor thickness of 25 mm and a command bridge located above it and a steel aft conning tower with a stern bridge. The 152-mm caliber stern gun was located on the poop and had a firing angle of up to 130°. The cabins of the officers and the ship's commander were located in the stern, and the crew's quarters were located in the bow of the gunboat. Behind the chimney casing there was a galley with the team's samovars. The conductors were housed in two cabins, the boatswain lived in a separate cabin. The gunboat silhouette had one chimney and two masts.
The ship's unsinkability was ensured by dividing it into 11 waterproof compartments:

1. Ram compartment;
2. Punishment cell, bow torpedo tube, storerooms;
3. Chain box, capstan room, crew latrines;
4. Desalination plants, storerooms, cockpits, team quarters, infirmary and pharmacy;
5. Bow ammunition cellars, crew quarters, conductors' and boatswain's cabins, storerooms;
6. Boiler room, coal pits;
7. Engine room, coal pits;
8. Department of auxiliary mechanisms;
9. Officers' cabins, officers' wardroom, aft artillery cellar, refrigerator;
10. Commander's cabin, commander's saloon, commander's bathroom;
11. Tiller compartment.

The steering device included a steering machine, which was controlled from the steering wheels through a shaft drive. The machine was controlled by 1 semi-balanced steering wheel with an area of ​​4.8 m2 with a steel frame weighing 2 tons.

The anchoring device included 3 Martin system anchors weighing 1.6 tons each, two main and one spare. In addition, there was 1 steam capstan in the bow, 2 anchor chains, 2 Legof stoppers, a stop anchor and 2 verpas.

The means of rescue included 1 longboat (14 oars), 1 steam launch, 2 whaleboats and 1 six-oared yawl and 1 four-oared yawl.

The power plant is mechanical, two-shaft with two vertical triple expansion steam engines with a power of 1100 hp each. With. each and 8 water-tube boilers of the Niklossa system were located in the machine and boiler rooms. Steam engines had three cylinders, one high pressure, one low pressure and one medium pressure, which worked on two onboard bronze three-blade adjustable pitch propellers and developed up to 165 rpm per shaft. The boilers of the Niklossa system had a heating surface of 70.38 m2 each and a working steam pressure of 15 kg/cm2, all located in one boiler compartment. The total coal reserve included 160 tons. The full speed of the gunboat reached 14.5 knots.

The DC power system had a voltage of 100 V and included 2 steam dynamos with a power of 7.5 kW each. A rechargeable battery located in the dynamo compartments was used as an emergency power source.

The ship's armament consisted of:

1. Of 2 single-barreled 203-mm cannons from the Obukhov plant with a barrel length of 45 calibers, located on sponsons in the bow of the upper deck. The gun was located on a central rotary mount, had an armor shield, and the vertical pointing angle of the barrel was in the range from -5° to +18°. The barrel was rifled and equipped with a piston lock. The rate of fire of the installation was 3 rounds per minute, and the ammunition included 137 rounds. The firing range at a sea or coastal target at an inclination angle of +18° and an initial projectile speed of 900 m/s reached 13.15 km. Firing control was carried out visually. The weight of the artillery mount with the mounting and shield was 28.75 tons.
2. From 1 single-barreled 152-mm gun from the Obukhov plant with a barrel length of 45 calibers, located in the aft part of the upper deck. The gun was mounted on a rotary machine with a friction compressor and had an armor shield. The barrel was rifled and equipped with a piston lock. The barrel is air-cooled, the ammunition supply is single unitary with manual loading. The installation calculation included 6 people. The vertical guidance angle of the barrel ranged from -6° to +20°, and the horizontal guidance angle - up to 130°. A cast iron projectile weighing 54 kg developed an initial speed of 790 m/s and had a firing range at a sea or coastal target at an elevation angle of + 20 ° - up to 11.3 km. Firing control was carried out visually. The weight of the artillery mount with the mounting and shield was 14.7 tons.
3. Of 5 single-barreled 47-mm Hotchkiss cannons with a barrel length of 43 calibers, located on the sides on the upper deck, on the bridges and on the forecastle. The rate of fire of the installation was 15 rounds/min, air cooling, single unitary ammunition supply. The barrel is loaded manually. The crew of the gun included 4 people. The initial velocity of the projectile reached 701 m/s, and the firing range at a sea or coastal target was up to 5 km.
4. Of 6 single-barreled 37-mm Hotchkiss guns with a barrel length of 23 calibers, located side by side on the deck. The gun was installed in a glass, which was attached to the side or other part of the vessel with bolts. The crew of the gun included 4 people. The rate of fire of the gun without aiming correction was 20 rounds. /min. A grenade weighing 0.5 kg developed an initial speed of 442 m/s and had a firing range at a sea or coastal target at an elevation angle of + 11 ° - up to 2.8 km. The weight of the gun with the lock reached 170 kg.
5. From 1 single-tube 380-mm surface torpedo tube, located motionless in the stem. The Whitehead torpedo had a warhead weight of 42.64 kg, with the weight of the torpedo itself being 410 kg. The torpedo's speed was 21 knots, and its range was up to 731.52 meters.

The ship was built at the New Admiralty shipyard in St. Petersburg.

The lead ship "Brave" ("Red Banner") entered service with the fleet in 1896.

The total number of ships built in 1896 was 1 unit.

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The gunboat took part in the Defense of the Gulf of Riga. After the Germans left the Bay, “Brave”, as part of the detachment, provided support to the ground forces; with the participation of the gunboat, a tactical landing was also landed in the area of ​​the Domesnes lighthouse. In the final order for 1915, the commander of the Baltic Fleet noted the role of the gunboat “Brave” in the defense of the Irben Strait and assisting the flank of troops in the Riga direction.

To facilitate towing, the destroyer Konstantin covered the gunboat Brave and the damaged Thunder with a smoke screen. As the Russian ships were leaving their position, the destroyer Pobeditel passed by the gunboat and rocked it with a wave, causing the tugs to burst. The crew of the destroyer "Thunder", gripped by panic, partially fled to the gunboat, where they were sent to the lower premises to avoid the spread of panic. The boat, turning broadside, managed to cover the German destroyer, which moved behind the line of German ships. It became clear that it was impossible to save the Thunder, so the crew was taken from the destroyer. Having retreated some distance, the Brave opened fire on the Thunder, aiming under the waterline, while the B-98 destroyer, which was trying to tow the captured Russian ship, was damaged. The Thunder soon sank. During the battle, the gunboat received several hits, 6 people were wounded.

The next day, “Brave” and “Khivinets” again fired at German destroyers at the entrance to the Small Sound, after which the gunboats left the bay along with the fleet.

Commanders

• 1896 ____M..Bronitsky
• 189..______V. I. Baer
• 02-08.1899.Yu. K. Volchasky
• 1899-1901. S. P. Shein
• 1902-1904. B. N. Martynov
• __?___________Petrov-3rd
• 1911-1912. V. A. Lyubinsky
• 1915-??____V. A. Shcherbachev
• 1917-?____K. E. Rennenkampf
• 192?__________Yuriev
• 192?__________Chirokov
• 1930-1930 E. E. Gorbunov
• 194?__________Arsenyev

1941-1942 Alexander Leontyevich Ustinov

See also

• Adrian Ivanovich Nepenin (commander of the Brave in 1909-1911).

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Notes

Literature

• M.K. Bakhirev Action Report Marine forces Gulf of Riga September 29 - October 7, 1917
• Kozlov D.Yu. Battle of the Gulf of Riga. Summer 1915. - Tseykhgauz, 2007. - ISBN 978-5-9771-0055-7.
• Khromov V.V.(Russian) // Marine collection: magazine. - Moscow: Modeler-designer, 2005. - No. 11 (80). - P. 32.

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Excerpt characterizing Brave (gunboat)

Arriving in St. Petersburg, Pierre did not notify anyone of his arrival, did not go anywhere, and began to spend whole days reading Thomas a à Kempis, a book that was delivered to him by an unknown person. Pierre understood one thing and one thing while reading this book; he understood the still unknown pleasure of believing in the possibility of achieving perfection and in the possibility of brotherly and active love between people, opened to him by Osip Alekseevich. A week after his arrival, the young Polish Count Villarsky, whom Pierre knew superficially from the St. Petersburg world, entered his room in the evening with the official and solemn air with which Dolokhov’s second entered his room and, closing the door behind him and making sure that there was no one in the room There was no one except Pierre, he turned to him:
“I came to you with an order and a proposal, Count,” he told him without sitting down. – A person very highly placed in our brotherhood petitioned for you to be accepted into the brotherhood ahead of schedule, and invited me to be your guarantor. I consider it a sacred duty to fulfill the will of this person. Do you wish to join the brotherhood of free stonemasons on my guarantee?
The cold and stern tone of the man whom Pierre almost always saw at balls with an amiable smile, in the company of the most brilliant women, struck Pierre.
“Yes, I wish,” said Pierre.
Villarsky bowed his head. “One more question, Count,” he said, to which I ask you not as a future Freemason, but as an honest man (galant homme) to answer me with all sincerity: have you renounced your previous convictions, do you believe in God?
Pierre thought about it. “Yes... yes, I believe in God,” he said.
“In that case...” Villarsky began, but Pierre interrupted him. “Yes, I believe in God,” he said again.
“In that case, we can go,” said Villarsky. - My carriage is at your service.
Villarsky was silent all the way. To Pierre's questions about what he needed to do and how to answer, Villarsky only said that brothers more worthy of him would test him, and that Pierre needed nothing more than to tell the truth.
Having entered the gate of a large house where the lodge was located, and walking along a dark staircase, they entered a lighted, small hallway, where, without the help of a servant, they took off their fur coats. From the hall they went into another room. Some man in a strange attire appeared at the door. Villarsky, coming out to meet him, said something quietly to him in French and went to a small closet, in which Pierre noticed clothes he had never seen before. Taking a handkerchief from the closet, Villarsky placed it over Pierre's eyes and tied it in a knot from behind, painfully catching his hair in the knot. Then he bent him towards him, kissed him and, taking him by the hand, led him somewhere. Pierre was in pain from the hair being pulled in by the knot; he winced in pain and smiled from shame for something. His huge figure with his arms hanging down, with a wrinkled and smiling face, moved with uncertain timid steps behind Villarsky.
After walking him ten steps, Villarsky stopped.
“No matter what happens to you,” he said, “you must endure everything with courage if you firmly decide to join our brotherhood.” (Pierre answered in the affirmative by bowing his head.) When you hear a knock on the door, you will untie your eyes,” Villarsky added; – I wish you courage and success. And, shaking Pierre’s hand, Villarsky left.
Left alone, Pierre continued to smile the same way. Once or twice he shrugged his shoulders, raised his hand to the handkerchief, as if wanting to take it off, and lowered it again. The five minutes he spent with his eyes tied seemed like an hour. His hands were swollen, his legs were giving way; he thought he was tired. He experienced the most complex and varied feelings. He was afraid of what would happen to him, and even more afraid of not showing fear. He was curious to know what would happen to him, what would be revealed to him; but most of all he was joyful that the moment had come when he would finally embark on that path of renewal and actively virtuous life, which he had dreamed of since his meeting with Osip Alekseevich. Strong knocks were heard on the door. Pierre took off the bandage and looked around him. The room was black and dark: only in one place was a lamp burning, in something white. Pierre came closer and saw that the lamp stood on a black table, on which lay one open book. The book was the Gospel; that white thing in which the lamp was burning was a human skull with its holes and teeth. Having read the first words of the Gospel: “In the beginning was the word and the word was to God,” Pierre walked around the table and saw a large open box filled with something. It was a coffin with bones. He was not at all surprised by what he saw. Hoping to enter into a completely new life completely different from the previous one, he expected everything extraordinary, even more extraordinary than what he saw. The skull, the coffin, the Gospel - it seemed to him that he expected all this, expected even more. Trying to evoke a feeling of tenderness in himself, he looked around him. “God, death, love, brotherhood of people,” he said to himself, associating with these words vague but joyful ideas of something. The door opened and someone entered.
In the dim light, which Pierre had already managed to take a closer look at, a short man entered. Apparently entering the darkness from the light, this man stopped; then, with careful steps, he moved towards the table and placed his small hands, covered with leather gloves, on it.
This short man was dressed in a white leather apron that covered his chest and part of his legs; he had something like a necklace on his neck, and from behind the necklace protruded a tall, white frill that framed his elongated face, lit from below.
– Why did you come here? - asked the newcomer, following the rustle made by Pierre, turning in his direction. - Why do you, who do not believe in the truths of the light and do not see the light, why did you come here, what do you want from us? Wisdom, virtue, enlightenment?
At that moment the door opened and an unknown man entered, Pierre experienced a feeling of fear and reverence, similar to the one he experienced in confession as a child: he felt face to face with a complete stranger in terms of living conditions and with someone close to him, in the brotherhood of people, person. Pierre, with a breathless heartbeat, moved towards the rhetorician (that was the name in Freemasonry for the brother who prepares the seeker for entry into the brotherhood). Pierre, coming closer, recognized in the rhetorician a familiar person, Smolyaninov, but it was insulting to him to think that the person who entered was a familiar person: the person who entered was only a brother and a virtuous mentor. Pierre could not utter the words for a long time, so the rhetorician had to repeat his question.
“Yes, I... I... want an update,” Pierre said with difficulty.
“Okay,” said Smolyaninov, and immediately continued: “Do you have any idea about the means by which our holy order will help you achieve your goal?...” said the rhetorician calmly and quickly.
“I... hope... guidance... help... in renewal,” said Pierre with a trembling voice and difficulty in speaking, arising both from excitement and from the unfamiliarity of speaking in Russian about abstract subjects.
– What concept do you have about Freemasonry?
– I mean that Frank Freemasonry is a fraterienité [brotherhood]; and the equality of people with virtuous goals,” said Pierre, ashamed as he spoke of the inconsistency of his words with the solemnity of the moment. I mean...
“Okay,” the rhetorician said hastily, apparently quite satisfied with this answer. – Have you been looking for means to achieve your goal in religion?
“No, I considered it unfair and did not follow it,” Pierre said so quietly that the rhetorician did not hear him and asked what he was saying. “I was an atheist,” answered Pierre.
– You are looking for truth in order to follow its laws in life; therefore, you are seeking wisdom and virtue, are you not? - said the rhetorician after a minute of silence.
“Yes, yes,” Pierre confirmed.
The rhetorician cleared his throat, folded his gloved hands on his chest and began to speak:
“Now I must reveal to you the main goal of our order,” he said, “and if this goal coincides with yours, then you will benefit from joining our brotherhood.” The first most important goal and overall foundation of our order, on which it is established, and which no human power can overthrow, is the preservation and transmission to posterity of some important sacrament... from the most ancient centuries and even from the first person who came down to us, from whom the sacraments can perhaps, the fate of the human race depends. But since this sacrament is of such a nature that no one can know it or use it unless one has prepared oneself through long-term and diligent purification, not everyone can hope to find it soon. Therefore, we have a second goal, which is to prepare our members as much as possible, correct their hearts, purify and enlighten their minds with those means that have been revealed to us by tradition from men who have labored in seeking this sacrament, and thereby make them capable of the perception of it. By purifying and correcting our members, we try, thirdly, to correct the entire human race, offering it in our members an example of piety and virtue, and thereby trying with all our might to resist the evil that reigns in the world. Think about this, and I will come to you again,” he said and left the room.
“To resist the evil that reigns in the world...” Pierre repeated, and he imagined his future activities in this field. He imagined the same people as he himself was two weeks ago, and he mentally addressed them with an instructive and mentoring speech. He imagined vicious and unhappy people whom he helped in word and deed; imagined the oppressors from whom he saved their victims. Of the three goals named by the rhetorician, this last one - the correction of the human race - was especially close to Pierre. Some important sacrament mentioned by the rhetorician, although it incited his curiosity, did not seem significant to him; and the second goal, cleansing and correcting himself, occupied him little, because at that moment he felt with pleasure that he was already completely corrected from his previous vices and ready for only one good thing.
Half an hour later, the rhetorician returned to convey to the seeker those seven virtues corresponding to the seven steps of the Temple of Solomon, which every Mason had to cultivate in himself. These virtues were: 1) modesty, respect for the secrets of the order, 2) obedience to the highest ranks of the order, 3) good morals, 4) love of humanity, 5) courage, 6) generosity and 7) love of death.
“Seventhly, try,” said the rhetorician, “by frequently thinking about death to bring yourself to the point that it no longer seems to you a terrible enemy, but a friend... who frees the languishing soul from this miserable life in the works of virtue, to introduce it to a place of reward and calm.
“Yes, this must be so,” thought Pierre, when after these words the rhetorician left him again, leaving him to solitary reflection. “This should be so, but I am still so weak that I love my life, the meaning of which is only now gradually revealed to me.” But the other five virtues, which Pierre remembered as he ran through his fingers, he felt in his soul: courage, generosity, kindness, love for humanity, and especially obedience, which did not even seem to him a virtue, but happiness. (He was so happy now to get rid of his arbitrariness and subordinate his will to those and those who knew the undoubted truth.) Pierre forgot the seventh virtue and could not remember it.

A gunboat (gunboat, gunboat) is a maneuverable warship, which is distinguished by powerful weapons. It is intended to lead fighting in coastal marine areas, lakes and rivers. Most often used to guard harbors.

The appearance of gunboats

There are a lot of lakes in Russia, border long rivers and shallow coastal waters. Therefore, the construction of gunboats can be considered traditional, because other warships could not conduct combat operations in such conditions. However, before the outbreak of the First World War, no reinforcements were planned. In 1917, there were only 11 gunboats, some of which were launched at the end of the 19th century.

For most of these gunboats Civil war turned out to be the last. Only 2 gunboats survived it - “Brave” and “Khivinets”. Therefore, designers took them as the basis for the production of more modern artillery ships.

“Brave” is the oldest boat that was part of the royal heritage. She served in the Baltic for 63 years. Initially, for use, it was equipped with three guns (two 203 mm and one 152 mm). However, in 1916 it was modernized. There were now five guns.

“Khivinets” was created as a stationary weapon, so its firepower was based on only two 120 mm guns. But this boat had more comfortable living conditions.

After 1917, both boats were no longer considered for new production due to their venerable age.

Models

When the flotilla felt the power and endurance of the gunboats, it was decided to build them “for the needs of the Far East.” Moreover, despite the fact that before the war no new copies were ordered. The first prototypes were “Brave” and “Khivinets”.

After the modernization of the drawings, Gilyak-type boats began to be produced. However, they were much weaker; the designers tried to strengthen parameters such as cruising range. But it was not possible to do this. Since there were no high-quality weapons, gunboats did not continue to be built or used.

Then “Ardagan” and “Kare” appear. The distinctive features of these gunboats are the use of diesel power plants. Petroleum products at that time were the most affordable types of fuel, so Ardagan and Kare were economically profitable.

Beginning in 1910, the Navy Ministry decided to undertake large-scale modernization. Moreover, this happens when most of the gunboats are already prepared for launching and conducting combat operations. A decision is made to strengthen protection and all this affects the sediment. Therefore, more than half of the gunboats went for reconstruction. This type was called “Buryat”.

Thus, the models of gunboats were constantly changing, supplemented with modern types of weapons and defense structures. There is no such warship that would be their prototype since the time Russian Empire and up to modern times.

The legendary "Korean"

The gunboat "Koreets" was used on Far East to suppress the Boxer Rebellion. She was part of the international squadron. During the battles, the gunboat received several serious damages, there were wounded and killed.

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

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

Based on the Korean project, many gunboats were built that are used today.

“Varyag” and “Korean”: the battle path

In 1904, at noon, the armored cruiser Varyag and the gunboat Koreets entered into battle with the Japanese squadron, which lasted about an hour. An entire Japanese squadron opposed the two warships. The gunboat took part in the final phase of the battle, repelling torpedo attacks. An hour after the start of the battle, the cruiser began to retreat, and the gunboat "Korean" covered its retreat.

During the battle, 52 shells were fired at the enemy. But at the same time, absolutely no damage or losses were observed on the part of the gunboat. Since the "Korean" was a warship with powerful artillery weapons, it could not be allowed to be captured. Therefore, at the Chemulpo raid, it was decided to blow it up. The crew of the boat moved aboard the French cruiser Pascal. He soon delivered the sailors to Russia.

The crews who fought the battle were awarded orders and insignia. A special medal was also established in their honor. This is how the cruiser and gunboat went down in history.

Young gunboat "Khivinets"

The gunboat “Khivinets” was the youngest representative of artillery ships in tsarist times. It was intended to be part of the Baltic Fleet. The boat is seaworthy, but it has also been used in river conditions. Moreover, it steadfastly withstood the tests of unfavorable conditions.

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

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

Heroic "Sivuch"

The gunboat "Sivuch" died heroically in a battle with German battleships. That is why every year on September 9, the waves receive many flowers and wreaths from Riga residents and Russians.

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

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

Gunboat "Beaver"

The gunboat "Beaver" belongs to the Gilyak type. Such ships were intended to protect the Amur River all the way to Khabarovsk. There were a small number of garrisons in its lower reaches, and they were supposed to receive artillery support. Since there were few objects, the design of the ships was based on a long cruising range, as well as autonomy. However, seaworthiness during practice turned out to be extremely low.

The value of gunboats of this type was minimal, since little attention was paid to armament during the design. During the First World War they were used as a swimming base. Naturally, they did not become designs and prototypes. Future ships took over only combat missions from these boats.

The Beaver was laid down in 1906, and a year later it was launched. In 1908, the gunboat joined the Russian fleet. Throughout the history of its existence, it also visited the Germans. It was captured in 1918 and converted into a swimming workshop. In the same year, the boat was transferred to Estonia. Although she was out of order, she was listed in the squadron of this country.

The gunboat served for 21 years, and in 1927 it was scrapped.

River (lake) and sea gunboats

Despite their great functionality, virtually all gunboats were used to attack coastal targets. The purpose of such attacks was to suppress the enemy's firepower, as well as reduce manpower. If the boat remained in close proximity to its shore, then its tasks were to protect coastal objects and protect against enemy warships.

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

Functionality and use of gunboats

Gunboats are a variant of the most functional artillery ships. The design made it possible to use them in military operations in the coastal zone, on rivers and near archipelagos with small rocky islands.

Gunboats could perform the following functions:

1. Defense of coasts, ports, estuaries
2. Landing
3. Support for troops on the shores
4. Landing one's own and fighting enemy troops
5. Ancillary tasks, such as delivering goods

Depending on where exactly the artillery ship would be used, its design could change, and special buildings were erected. There are unarmored, armored and armored boats. The second option was most often used, since it offered relatively good protection, but was light in weight, which had a positive effect on maneuverability.

Main characteristics of gunboats

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

1. Displacement. Ships could be launched for protection and military operations in the seas or on rivers and lakes.
2. Speed. It is 3-15 knots. The speed depends on what kind of design the gunboat is equipped with. It can be unarmored, armored only in vulnerable places, or completely armored. Naturally, its weight increases, which negatively affects its swimming speed.
3. Armament.

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

Also, depending on the purpose, Zenit automatic cannons and machine guns could be installed on the deck. The latter were designed extremely rarely due to their short range.

Conclusion

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

Abstract on the topic:

Brave (gunboat)

Plan:

Introduction

• 1 Construction and testing
• 2 Overseas voyage
• 3 Service in the Baltic
• 4 Battle of Moonsund
• 5 Service in the Soviet Navy
Notes
Literature

Introduction

"Brave"- gunboat of the Baltic Fleet. Built on the model of the Threatening-class gunboats. It differed from the prototype in the presence of a forecastle, which improved its seaworthiness and a different composition of artillery weapons.

1. Construction and testing

The gunboat "Brave" was included in the list of ships of the Baltic Fleet on January 30, 1895. Laid down on December 15, 1894 at the boathouse of the New Admiralty in St. Petersburg, launched on November 9, 1895. The launching took place in the presence of Nicholas II, who on the same day laid down the battleships Oslyabya and Peresvet and the training ship Verny. He personally gave the command to launch the gunboat.

In mid-July 1897, "Brave" began its campaign. On the morning of July 27, the Swedish steamer Fredrie, turning around on the Neva, drove stern into the side of the Brave, above the armor belt, bending the skin and bulkhead in the infirmary water closet. The captain of the Swedish ship sent an agent to negotiate. The sheathing sheet needed to be replaced. For the repairs, the Swedes were awarded 2,673 rubles 45 kopecks.

2. Overseas sailing

On August 28, 1899, the Brave set off on its first overseas voyage. The gunboat's route lay through the North Sea to the Mediterranean. During the campaign, many defects and shortcomings in the design of the vessel were revealed, which were reported to the Emperor, who ordered the gunboat to be immediately repaired. "Brave" was sent to France and underwent repairs at the Forges and Chantiers de la Méditerrane plant.

On May 23, 1900, “Brave” passed acceptance tests based on the results of the repair. The Russian receivers were satisfied with the repair of the vessel. The repairs cost a huge amount, which was a quarter of the cost of building the boat's hull.

In the Mediterranean Sea, the Brave served as a ship of a diplomatic mission; the gunboat sailed through ports for several years Mediterranean Sea, both as part of a squad and alone. With the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, all ships flying the St. Andrew's flag began to return to Russia from the Mediterranean Sea. Only the Brave and several destroyers were left at the disposal of the Russian diplomatic mission. These ships met and saw off formations of the Second Pacific Squadron. Six stokers and part of the ammunition were even sent from the gunboat to the cruiser "Oleg".

On August 8, 1906, the gunboat returned to Russia, ending its seven-year voyage with the highest review in Kronstadt. The crew received the Emperor's gratitude and monetary awards.

3. Service in the Baltic

Gunboat "Brave"

In the Baltic, the Brave sailed as part of the Third Detachment of Mine Vessels, and in the 1907 campaign the gunboat was assigned to the training detachment of the Naval Engineering School.

The war caught up with the Brave while sailing with cadets. In 1915, the gunboat was sent to protect an unequipped base in Ute, and then joined the defense detachment of the Abo-Oland skerry position.

In the second half of 1915, “Brave” was included in the Naval Defense Forces of the Gulf of Riga. At the same time, the gunboat was re-equipped: instead of outdated guns, guns from the German cruiser Magdeburg, which was lost off the Russian coast on August 26, 1914, were installed.

The gunboat took part in the Defense of the Gulf of Riga. After the Germans left the Bay, “Brave”, as part of the detachment, provided support to the ground forces; with the participation of the gunboat, a tactical landing was also landed in the area of ​​the Domesnes lighthouse. In the final order for 1915, the commander of the Baltic Fleet noted the role of the gunboat “Brave” in the defense of the Irben Strait and assisting the flank of troops in the Riga direction.

In 1916, the gunboat was again rearmed, this time with new 130/55 mm guns. Due to the activity of German aviation, an anti-aircraft machine gun was also installed on the Brave. Simultaneously with the rearmament, modernization was carried out, which affected the conning tower (raised by 0.9 meters). In addition, the size of the bow bridge was increased, the aft bridge and chart room were removed.

4. Battle of Moonsund

After the February Revolution, the crew of the gunboat, following the cruiser Admiral Makarov, adopted a resolution naming the Brave “ship of death.”

On September 30, 1917, the Brave received an order to go to Kassarsky Reach to support the Russian destroyers located there.

After noon on October 1, a German battleship of the Deutschland type (it was the Kaiser), keeping some distance from the Russian ships (from the Brave - 110 cabin), suddenly opened fire. The destroyer "Grom" was damaged by the shots and lost speed.

At 12:40 p.m., the “Brave” weighed anchor to inspect the coast of Ezel. At 12:45 battleship opened fire on our detachment, which immediately began to weigh anchor. A shell from one of the first salvos hit engine room"Grom" and disabled both turbines. The destroyer tilted to the left side and steamed. "Brave", who at that time had moved one and a half miles away from the detachment, not wanting to leave his comrade in trouble, immediately turned towards him and at 13 o'clock, mooring to him with his starboard side and securing the tugs, he took him to O at a speed of about 5 knots. The initiative of the commander of the “Brave” was confirmed by a signal from the head of the 11th division: ““Brave” take the “Thunder” in tow.” The steering wheel of the "Grom" jammed, the "Brave" had to walk under one car, the fumes from the "Grom" made it difficult to see anything ahead, according to the report of the "Brave" commander, he walked as if in milk; the deviation, of course, has changed a lot. Despite all the unfavorable circumstances, the “Brave” responded from its stern gun and at the same time actively helped the “Thunder”, so that there was even hope that it would soon be able to get under way.

To facilitate towing, the destroyer Konstantin covered the gunboat Brave and the damaged Thunder with a smoke screen. As the Russian ships were leaving their position, the destroyer Pobeditel passed by the gunboat and rocked it with a wave, causing the tugs to burst. The crew of the destroyer "Thunder", gripped by panic, partially fled to the gunboat, where they were sent to the lower premises to avoid the spread of panic. The boat, turning broadside, managed to cover the German destroyer, which moved behind the line of German ships. It became clear that it was impossible to save the Thunder, so the crew was taken from the destroyer. Having retreated some distance, the Brave opened fire on the Thunder, aiming under the waterline, while the B-98 destroyer, which was trying to tow the captured Russian ship, was damaged. The Thunder soon sank. During the battle, the gunboat received several hits, 6 people were wounded.

The next day, “Brave” and “Khivinets” again fired at German destroyers at the entrance to the Small Sound, after which the gunboats left the bay along with the fleet.

From October 1918 to 1922, the gunboat was in long-term storage in the Kronstadt port. At the end of 1922 it received the name “Red Banner”. From December 31, 1922 to March 15, 1940, she was used as a training gunboat. Since January 11, 1935 - as part of the 2nd division of the submarine brigade of the Baltic Sea Naval Forces.

In 1930 it underwent repairs and re-equipment. All that was left of the old boat was actually the hull.

During the Great Patriotic War, she took part in the defense of the coast Gulf of Finland and Leningrad. On November 16, 1942, she sank off the island of Lavensari after being hit by a torpedo fired by a Finnish torpedo boat. On November 13, 1943, it was raised and on September 17, 1944, after a major overhaul, it was put into operation. From April 7, 1956 - a training gunboat; on March 13, 1959, it was disarmed and turned into a floating barracks. Scrapped on June 3, 1960, dismantled for metal in the early 1960s.

Notes

1. Sick A. G. Baltic: On the margins of the Great War - militera.lib.ru/h/bolnyh2/04.html // Sick A. G. Naval battles of the First World War: A tragedy of errors. - M: AST, 2002.
2. Gunboat "Brave" - ​​infoart.udm.ru/history/navy/rusgb106.htm
3. Photos of the gunboat "Brave" - ​​navsource.narod.ru/photos/04/052/index.html

Literature

• V. V. Khromov Gunboat “Brave” - wunderwaffe.narod.ru/Magazine/MK/2005_11/index.htm
• Shershov A.P. On the history of military shipbuilding - militera.lib.ru/tw/shershov_ap/index.html
• M.K. Bakhirev Report on the actions of the Naval Forces of the Gulf of Riga September 29 - October 7, 1917
• A. M. Kosinsky, A. G. von Chischwitz Moonsund 1917. The last battle of the Russian fleet - www.ozon.ru/context/detail/id/4744048/
• Baltic On the margins of the Great War - militera.lib.ru/h/bolnyh2/04.html
• D.Yu. Kozlov Battle of the Gulf of Riga. Summer 1915. - Zeichgauz, 2007. - ISBN 978-5-9771-0055-7