The History of the Russo-Japanese War. Sydney Tyler
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proved how valuable an addition they were to the Japanese navy, for they easily outdistanced their slow-footed pursuers, and what promised at one time to be an exciting race degenerated practically into a walk over. The new cruisers arrived safely at Yokohama on February 16th, and were at once sent into dock to refit and prepare for active service. These splendid fighting machines must, therefore, be added to the list.
JAPAN'S UP-TO-DATE NAVY.
| BATTLESHIPS. | |||||
| Nominal | Gun | Weight of | |||
| Name | Displacement | I.H.P. | Speed | Protection | Broadside Fire |
| Hatsuse | 15,000 | 15,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,240 |
| Asahi | 15,000 | 15,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,240 |
| Shikishima | 15,000 | 15,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,240 |
| Mikasa | 15,200 | 16,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,225 |
| Yashima | 12,300 | 13,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,000 |
| Fuji | 12,300 | 13,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,000 |
| ARMORED CRUISERS. | |||||
| Tokiwa | 9,750 | 18,000 | 21.5 | 6—6 | 3,568 |
| Asama | 9,750 | 18,000 | 21.5 | 6—6 | 3,568 |
| Yakuma | 9,850 | 16,000 | 20.0 | 6—6 | 3,368 |
| Adzuma | 9,436 | 17,000 | 21.0 | 6—6 | 3,368 |
| Idzumo | 9,800 | 15,000 | 24.7 | 6—6 | 3,568 |
| Iwate | 9,800 | 15,000 | 24.7 | 6—6 | 3,568 |
| PROTECTED CRUISERS. | |||||
| Takasago | 4,300 | 15,500 | 24.0 | 4-1/2—2 | 800 |
| Kasagi | 4,784 | 15,500 | 22.5 | 4-1/2 | 800 |
| Chitose | 4,784 | 15,500 | 22.5 | 4-1/2 | 800 |
| Itsukushima | 4,277 | 5,400 | 16.7 | 11—4 | 1,260 |
| Hashidate | 4,277 | 5,400 | 16.7 | 11—4 | 1,260 |
| Matsushima | 4,277 | 5,400 | 16.7 | 11—4 | 1,260 |
| Yoshino | 4,180 | 15,750 | 23.0 | — | 780 |
| Naniwa | 3,727 | 7,120 | 17.8 | — | 1,196 |
| Takachiho | 3,727 | 7,120 | 17.8 | — | 1,196 |
| Akitsushima | 3,150 | 8,400 | 19.0 | — | 780 |
| Niitaka | 3,420 | 9,500 | 20.0 | — | 920 |
| Tsushima | 3,420 | 9,500 | 20.0 | — | 920 |
| Suma | 3,700 | 8,500 | 20.0 | — | 335 |
| Akashi | 2,700 | 8,500 | 20.0 | — | 335 |
The table, it will be observed, does not include a number of coast defence vessels, nor—more important for offensive purposes—the torpedo flotilla, which is of great strength and of remarkable efficiency, and includes over a score of 30-knot destroyers of the most modern type. The first four battleships in the list were completed less than two years before the war, while the armored cruisers were built between 1899 and 1901. The protected cruisers include several of the vessels that defeated the Chinese fleet at the battle of the Yalu.
For the accommodation of her fleet Japan possesses four well-equipped dockyards, capable not only of repairing damaged vessels of any class, but of constructing new ones; and this is, perhaps, the greatest advantage which the island kingdom has over Russia in the present struggle.
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