Lardas, Mark/Wright, Paul (Illustr.) Russian Battleships and Cruisers of the Russo-Japanese War

This title tells the fascinating story of the development and deployment of the mighty Russian fleets, the pride of the Tsar, which went to war against the Japanese and met with all-encompassing destruction. This book examines the major warships of the Imperial Russian Navy which participated in the Russo-Japanese War. The focus is on the battleships, coastal defense warships, and cruisers of the Pacific Squadron and Baltic Squadron that fought during the war. It discusses in detail their design and development between the years of 1885 and 1905, concentrating particularly on battleships and cruisers. The book explores, in depth, the mutually influential relationship between Russian and foreign warship design, as Russia progressed from a reliance on foreign designs and shipyards towards an ability to produce its own influential ships, such as the Novik. The title also outlines the gripping operational history of the Russian warships which participated in the Russo-Japanese war, tracing their activity before and during the combat, as well as the postwar fate of those ships which were bombarded, scuttled, captured, or salvaged. Packed with contemporary photography and full-color illustrations, this title offers a detailed and definitive guide to the design, development, and destiny of the Russian warships which battled the Japanese in the Eastern seas.

The design and development of ships between the years 1885 and 1905 are discussed in detail, with a particular focus on battleships and cruisers. The book examines in detail the mutually influential relationship between Russian and foreign battleship designs; while Russia initially relied on foreign design principles, by the end of its learning process it had developed its own ships, such as the "Novik". The title also outlines the exciting operational history of the Russian warships that took part in the Russo-Japanese War and describes their activities before and during the war as well as the fate of the ships that were fired upon, sunk, captured by the enemy or rescued. Filled with contemporary photographs and colour illustrations, this title provides a detailed guide to the design, development and fate of the Russian warships that fought against the Japanese in the eastern seas.