Крейсер «Рюрик» / Armoured Cruiser Rurik”: 1892-1904

Дореволюционная Россия на фотографиях Крейсер I ранга «Рюрик» 1892 - 1904 Pre-revolutionary Russia in photographs Armoured Cruiser 1st Class “Rurik” 1892 - 1904 Music: Variation 5 "Sokolov" by A. Borodin The armoured cruiser, "Rurik" was laid down on the 19 May 1890 in the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. She was launched on the 22 October 1892 and entered the Imperial Russian Grand Fleet on 16 October 1895. She was immediately dispatched to Vladivostok, receiving a number of modifications before setting joining the Pacific Fleet . She took part in the international landing during the "Boxer Revolt" in China and the occupation of Russian ships in Port Arthur after the Sino-Japanese War. At the start of the Russian-Japanese War, she participated in several successful operations with the Vladivostok group of cruisers . However during the Battle of Ulsan in August she suffered heavy damage from the Japanese ships, from shelling. Fires erupted on board and many of the crew were killed. Finally, on 14 August 1904 her commander, gave orders to scuttle the cruiser, so she could not be taken over by the Japanese navy. Whilst she was sinking, Japanese shells continued to explode, killing many of the wounded sailors and those who had jumped into the sea...........