The gunboat (gunboat, gunboat) is a maneuverable warship that features powerful weapons. It is intended to conduct hostilities in coastal marine areas, in lakes and rivers. Most often used to protect harbors.
The appearance of gunboats
In Russia, there are 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 military operations in such conditions. However, before the outbreak of World War I, replenishment was not planned. By 1917, there were only 11 gunboats, some of which 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 oldest boat that was part of the royal heritage. In the Baltic, she served for 63 years. Initially for use, it was equipped with three guns (two for 203 mm and one for 152 mm). However, in 1916 it was modernized. Now there were five guns.
"Khivinets" was created as a hospital on the Persian Gulf, so its firepower was based on only two 120 mm cannons. But on this boat there were more comfortable living conditions.
After 1917, both boats were no longer considered in the production of new ones 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." And despite the fact that before the war, new copies were not ordered. The first prototypes were the "Brave" and "Khivinets."
After the drawings were modernized, 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 to do this failed. Since there were no high-quality weapons, the gunboats did not continue to build, nor were they used.
Then “Ardagan” and “Kare” appear. Distinctive features of these cannabis 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 viable.
Since 1910, the Ministry of the Navy has decided on large-scale modernization. Moreover, this happens when most gunboats are already prepared for launching, conducting combat operations. The decision is made to strengthen the defense and artillery. All this affects the draft. Therefore, more than half of the cannabis went for reconstruction. This type is called "Buryat."
Thus, models of gunboats were constantly changing, supplemented by a modern type of weaponry and defense structures. There is no warship that would be their prototype from the time of the Russian Empire to the present.
The legendary "Korean"
The gunboat "Koreets" was used in the Far East to suppress the "Boxer Rebellion." She was part of the international squadron. During the battles, the gunboat suffered several serious injuries, were wounded and killed.
Before the Russo-Japanese War, the gunboat Koreets was transferred to the Korean port of Chemulpo. Together with her went the cruiser of the first rank "Varyag". On February 8, the boat crew was tasked with sailing to Port Arthur with a diplomatic report. However, the port was blocked, as a result of which the path to 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.
As a result of the torpedo attack, the Korean fired two shots. They are the first in the Russo-Japanese War.
According to the project "Korean" was built many gunboats that are used in modern times.
"Varangian" and "Korean": the military way
In 1904, at noon, the Varyag armored cruiser and the Koreets gunboat engaged in battle with the Japanese squadron, which lasted about an hour. A whole Japanese squadron opposed two warships. The gunboat took part in the final phase of the battle, reflecting the torpedo attacks. An hour after the start of the battle, the cruiser began to retreat, and the gunboat "Koreets" covered his retreat.
During the battle, 52 shells were fired at the enemy. But at the same time, there was absolutely no damage or loss from the gunboat. Since the "Korean" was a warship with powerful artillery weapons, it was impossible to prevent its capture. Therefore, in 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 were awarded orders and insignia. A special medal was also established in honor of them. 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 become part of the Baltic Fleet. The boat is seaworthy, but it was used in river conditions. Moreover, she steadily withstood the test of adverse conditions.
The gunboat "Khivinets" was ordered in 1904-1914, when the strengthening of the Russian fleet began. However, the model itself was oriented to 1898. Unfortunately, after the release of the model, there was no modernization, which caused a narrow functionality.
One cannot but note the stamina and endurance of the gunboat. The fact is that she withstood such battles where other, younger artillery warships perished. This is probably why it has long been used as a prototype in the construction of ships.
Heroic "Lion"
In the Gulf of Riga, the gunboat Sivuch heroically died in a battle with German battleships. That is why every year on September 9, waves receive many flowers and wreaths from Riga and Russians.
On August 19, 1915, the imperial fleet entered the battle with the German battleships. It is not known to the end what exactly happened in those distant and long days for the crew. But the battle near Kihnu Island made the German squadron abandon further attacks in the Gulf of Riga, as well as bombardment of coastal fortifications. This was the main purpose of the raid of the German fleet.
The gunboat Sivuch then saved Riga from casualties and destruction. The cost 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 "Varangian", the heroism of the sailors was so high.
Gunboat "Beaver"
The gunboat "Beaver" refers to the type of Gilyak. Such ships were intended to protect the Amur River up to Khabarovsk. In its lower reaches was a small number of garrisons, and they should have provided artillery support. Since there was a small number of objects, the design of ships was based on a long navigation range, as well as autonomy. However, seaworthiness during practice was extremely small.
The value of gunboats of this type was minimal, since the armament was not given much attention to the design. During the First World War, they were used as a swimming base. Constructions and prototypes, of course, they did not. Future ships took over only combat missions from these boats.
The Beaver was laid in 1906, a year later it was launched. In 1908, the gunboat entered the Russian fleet. In the entire history of her existence, she also 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 in malfunctioning condition, she was listed in the squadron of this country.
The gunboat served for 21 years, in 1927 she was sent for scrapping.
River (lake) and sea gunboats
Despite the great functionality, virtually all of the gunboats were used to strike at coastal targets. The purpose of such attacks was to suppress the enemy’s firepower, as well as reduce manpower. If the boat remained in the immediate vicinity of its shore, then its tasks were to protect coastal facilities, protection from enemy warships.
There are sea and river gunboats. Their main difference is in weight. The first reaches a mass of 3 thousand tons, the second - in 1500. Of course, based on the name, it is logical to assume in what places gunboats will be used.
Functionality and use of gunboats
Gunboats are a variant of the most functional artillery ships. The design allowed their use in hostilities in the coastal zone, on rivers and near archipelagos with small rocky islands.
Gunboats could perform the following functions:
- Defense of coasts, ports, estuaries
- Landing
- Coastal support
- Landing and the fight against enemy troops
- Auxiliary tasks, such as 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, since it offered relatively good protection, but at the same time had a small weight, which had a positive effect on maneuverability.
The main characteristics of gunboats
Based on the characteristics, it was determined where the gunboat would be used. There are three main parameters:
- Displacement . Ships could go down to guard and conduct military operations in the seas or on rivers and in lakes.
- Speed . It is 3-15 knots. Speed depends on which design the gunboat is endowed with. It can be unarmored, armored only in vulnerable places, and also completely. Naturally, its weight rises, which negatively affects the swimming speed.
- Armament .
Since gunboats were warships, great attention was paid to the guns . They could be endowed with 1-4 instances of guns of the main caliber (203-356 mm). This design approach was focused on the marine gunboats. River boats were most often equipped with medium-caliber guns (76-170).
Also, depending on the destination on the deck, automatic Zenith cannons and machine guns could be installed. The latter were extremely rarely constructed 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 unique functionality. As history shows, many Russian gunboats could stand 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 inclined the outcome of the battle in his favor.