Gunboat (gunboat, gunboat) is a maneuverable warship, which is distinguished by powerful weapons. It is intended to conduct combat operations in coastal sea areas, in lakes and on rivers. Most often used to guard harbors.
The advent of gunboats
Russia has a lot of lakes, long border 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 start of the First World War, replenishment was not planned. In 1917, there were only 11 gunboats, and some of them were launched at the end of the 19th century.
For most of these gunboats, the Civil War was the last. She survived only 2 gunboats - "Brave" and "Khivinets". Therefore, the designers took them as the basis for the production of more modern artillery ships.
"Brave" is the mostan old boat that was part of the royal heritage. She served in the B altic 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. Now there were five guns.
"Khivinets" was created as a hospital in the Persian Gulf, so its firepower was based on only two 120 mm guns. But on this boat there were more comfortable living conditions.
After 1917, both boats were no longer considered for production of new boats 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, new copies were not ordered. The first prototypes were "Brave" and "Khivinets".
After the modernization of the drawings, boats of the Gilyak type began to be produced. However, they were much weaker, the designers tried to strengthen parameters such as cruising range. But this was not possible. Since there were no high-quality weapons, they did not continue to build gunboats, as well as use them.
Then "Ardagan" and "Kare" appear. Distinctive features of these gunboats are the use of diesel power plants. Oil products at that time were the most affordable types of fuel, so "Ardagan" and "Kare" were economically profitable.
Starting from 1910, the Naval Ministry decided on a large-scale modernization. And this happenswhen most of the gunboats are already prepared for launching, conducting combat operations. A decision is made to strengthen the defense and artillery pieces. 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 by modern types of weapons and defensive structures. There is no such warship that would be their prototype from the time of the Russian Empire to the present.
Legendary "Korean"
The gunboat "Koreets" was used in the Far East to suppress the "Boxer uprising". She was part of the international squadron. During the battles, the gunboat received several serious damage, there were wounded and killed.
Before the Russo-Japanese War, the gunboat "Koreets" was transferred to the Korean port of Chemulpo. The cruiser of the first rank "Varyag" went with her. On February 8, the crew of the boat received the task to go to Port Arthur with a diplomatic report. However, the port was blocked, as a result of which the path of the "Korean" was blocked. The captain of the ship 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 are the first in the Russo-Japanese War.
A lot of gunboats were built according to the Korean project, whichused in modern times.
"Varangian" and "Korean": 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. A whole 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 "Koreets" covered its retreat.
During the battle, 52 shells were fired at the enemy. But at the same time, absolutely no damage and 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, on the roadstead of Chemulpo, 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 that fought the battle were awarded orders and insignia. A special medal was also established in their honor. So the cruiser and gunboat went down in history.
Young gunboat "Khivinets"
The gunboat "Khivinets" was the youngest representative of artillery ships in tsarist times. It was intended to be part of the B altic Fleet. The boat is seaworthy, but it was also used in river conditions. Moreover, she steadfastly withstood the test of adverse conditions.
The gunboat "Khivinets" was ordered in 1904-1914, whenstrengthening of the Russian fleet. However, the model itself was focused on 1898. Unfortunately, after the release of the model, there was no upgrade, which caused a narrow functionality.
It is impossible not to note the stamina and endurance of the gunboat. The fact is that she withstood such battles, where other, younger artillery warships died. This is probably why it has been used as a prototype for shipbuilding for a long time.
Heroic Steller
In the Gulf of Riga, 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 Rigans 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 the bombardment of coastal fortifications. This was the main purpose of the raid of the German fleet.
The gunboat "Sivuch" then saved Riga from casu alties 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 B altic "Varangian", the heroism of the sailors was so high.
Beaver gunboat
The gunboat "Beaver" belongs to the Gilyak class. Such ships were intended to protect the Amur River up to Khabarovsk. In its lower reaches there was a smallthe number of garrisons, they should have been provided with artillery support. Since there was a small number of 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 small.
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 adopted only combat missions from these boats.
Beaver was laid down in 1906, a year later it was launched. In 1908, the gunboat entered the Russian fleet. Throughout the history of its existence, she visited the Germans. She was captured in 1918 and converted into a swimming workshop. In the same year, the boat was transferred to Estonia. Although she was out of order, she was listed in the squadron of this country.
The gunboat served 21 years, in 1927 it was scrapped.
River (lake) and sea gunboats
Despite their great functionality, virtually all gunboats were used to strike coastal targets. The purpose of such attacks was to suppress the firepower of the enemy, as well as to reduce manpower. If the boat remained in close proximity to its shore, then its tasks were to protect coastal facilities, protection from enemy warships.
Meet sea and rivergunboats. Their main difference is in weight. The first reach a mass of 3 thousand tons, the second - 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 allowed them to be used in military operations in the coastal zone, on rivers and near archipelagos with small rocky islands.
Gunboats could perform the following functions:
- Defense of coasts, ports, estuaries
- Assault landings
- Support for troops on the shores
- Landing your own and fighting enemy troops
- Auxiliary tasks like cargo delivery
Depending on where exactly the artillery ship will be used, its design could change, special buildings were erected. There are unarmored, armored and armored boats. The second option was most often used, as it offered relatively good protection, but at the same time had a small weight, which had a positive effect on maneuverability.
Main characteristics of gunboats
Based on the characteristics, it was determined where the gunboat would be used. There are three main options:
- Displacement. Ships could be launched to protect and conduct military operations in the seas or on rivers and lakes.
- Speed . It is 3-15 knots. Speeddepends on what kind of design the gunboat is endowed with. It can be unarmored, armored only in vulnerable places, or completely. Naturally, its weight increases, which negatively affects the speed of swimming.
- Armament.
Because gunboats were warships, guns were given a lot of attention. They could be equipped with 1-4 copies of the 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 on the deck, automatic guns "Zenith" and machine guns could be installed. The latter were designed extremely rarely due to their short range.
Conclusion
Thus, it is impossible to meet two identical gunboats. Each instance is good in its own way, endowed with its own unique functionality. As history shows, many Russian gunboats could single-handedly oppose entire squadrons. This is a merit not only of the warships themselves and their designers, but also of the crew. Often, it was only his bravery that turned the outcome of the battle in his favor.
