Japanese cruiser Saien

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The Japanese cruiser Saien
Career Japanese Navy Ensign
Builder: Stettiner Vulcan AG shipyards, Germany
Laid down 31 January 1880
Launched: 6 June 1883
Completed: 1885; prize of war to Japan 16 March 1895, renamed Saien (済遠, さいえん).
Fate: Mined off Port Arthur, 30 November 1904
General characteristics
Displacement: 2,440 tons
Length: 75.0 meters at waterline
Beam: 10.5 meters
Draught: 4.67 meters
Propulsion: 2-shaft reciprocating triple expansion steam engine, 2 boilers; 2,800 HP
Speed: 15 knots
Fuel: 230 tons coal
Complement: 180
Armament:
  • 2 × 210 mm guns
  • 1 x 150 mm guns
  • 4 x 75 mm guns
  • 6 x 47 mm guns
  • 4 x 380 mm torpedoes
Armor:
  • 75 mm deck armor;
  • 50 mm turret

The IJN Saien (済遠(さいえん)巡洋艦 Saien junyōkan?) was a protected cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, originally built for the Beiyang Fleet, by the Stettiner Vulcan AG shipyards in Stettin, Germany under the name Jiyuan. Obsolete transliterations of its Chinese name include Tche-Yuen, Tsi-yuan; in modern Chinese, its name transliterates to Chiyuan. Obsolete transliterations of its Japanese name include "Saiyen".

[edit] Background

In terms of design, the Saien resembled the contemporary Japanese Matsushima-class cruisers, in the use of large cannons on a relatively small displacement hull. As part of the Beiyang fleet, the Saien was present at the initial Battle of Pungdo and at the Battle of the Yellow Sea. It was captured by the Japanese in the first Sino-Japanese War during the Battle of Weihaiwei, and was commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy as the 2nd class cruiser Saien on 16 March 1895.

[edit] Service record

For history of the Saien prior to its being captured by Japan, see Jiyuan.

The service record of the Saien in the Imperial Japanese Navy was short. It was re-classified as a 3rd class Coastal Defense Vessel on 11 November 1904, but was assigned to duties as part of the blockading force at the Battle of Port Arthur in the opening stages of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. It sank after being mined off of Port Arthur 38°51′N, 121°05′E on 30 November 1904.

[edit] References

  • Dull, Paul S. (1978) A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy ISBN 0-85059-295-X
  • Evans, David. Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941. US Naval Institute Press (1979). ISBN 0870211927
  • Gardiner, Robert (editor) (2001) Steam, Steel and Shellfire, The Steam Warship 1815-1905, ISBN 0-7858-1413-2
  • Howarth, Stephen. The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895-1945. Atheneum; (1983) ISBN 0689114028
  • Jane, Fred T. The Imperial Japanese Navy. Thacker, Spink & Co (1904) ASIN: B00085LCZ4
  • Jentsura, Hansgeorg. Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945. Naval Institute Press (1976). ISBN 087021893X
  • Schencking, J. Charles. Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, And The Emergence Of The Imperial Japanese Navy, 1868-1922. Stanford University Press (2005). ISBN 0804749779
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