Russian cruiser Zhemchug
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 The Zhemchug moored in harbor |
|
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Builder: | Nevski Yard, Russia |
| Laid down: | 1 January 1901 |
| Launched: | 1 August 1903 |
| Completed: | 1903 |
| Commissioned: | 1 January 1904 |
| Fate: | Sunk, Battle of Penang, 28 October 1914 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 3,103 tons |
| Length: | 111 m |
| Beam: | 12.2 m |
| Draft: | 5 m |
| Propulsion: | 3 shaft triple expansion steam engines, 16 Yarrow coal fired boilers;17,000 hp |
| Speed: | 24 knots |
| Range: | 3,790 nm, 1,310 tons coal |
| Complement: | 350 |
| Armament: | |
| Armour: | |
The Zhemchug (Жемчуг - Pearl) was a protected cruiser of the Imperial Russian Navy. The Zhemchug and her sister ship Izumrud (Emerald) were based on the German-built Russian cruiser Novik. The ship was launched in 1903 and fought in the Russo-Japanese war, escaping from the Battle of Tsushima to be interned in neutral Manila.
During World War I she was part of the Russian Pacific Fleet. She was torpedoed and sunk by the German cruiser SMS Emden at the Battle of Penang on 28th October 1914. Casualties were 89 dead and 143 wounded. The ship was tied up at a state of non-readiness while her captain, Baron Cherkassov, went ashore that night to visit a lady friend. Cherkasov was court martialled for negligence and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison.
[edit] References
- Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860 - 1905
- Tomitch, V. M., Warships of the Imperial Russian Navy (1968)
