QUITE INDEPENDENT “TODDLER”

Talking about the rapid development of cruiser forces such Maritime giants like Britain, Germany, France, Russia, it would be unfair to forget about a much more modest powers of Europe, had, nevertheless, own shipbuilding tradition. These States tried to implement them into the metal, consistent with their needs and capabilities.

Especially characteristic was the reliance on own strength from the Northern countries of Europe. The Scandinavians and the Dutch preferred to design the ships and build them at Russian shipyards. When selecting artillery superiority was often given to the products of the Swedish company “Bofors” that developed quite a competitive weapon. Almost the main requirement for the new ships was such a “non-combat” quality of rationality. Small powers is never extra money, and the northerners were traditionally distinguished by frugality. But, on the other hand, was present understandable desire to have a modern fleet, albeit small. The result from time to time the designers have managed to create a small warships, possessed the qualities that could well cause envy in the naval “pillars” of the world. Such vehicles include, in particular, small cruisers, very interesting samples of which appeared in the countries of Northern Europe to the late nineteenth century. I must say that the path to their creation was neither quick nor simple. Cruiser actually played in the fleets of the North, with the exception of which had extensive colonial possessions of the Netherlands, purely supporting role. The descendants of the Vikings preferred to invest in battleships of coastal defense, leaving the “smaller brothers” objectives of training of sailors and exploration.

 

Even the most successful Scandinavian country, Sweden, long indulged in cruising power. Over the 50 years from the mid-nineteenth century in the Navy, there have been only two wooden ships that can be attributed to this class: frigate “VANADIS” with a displacement of 2140 tons, armed with eight 167-mm rifled cannons and the same number 190 mm bomber guns, and 1850-ton “Balder” with artillery from two of the 167-mm guns and a pair of 30-fotovac. Built in the 1860 — 1870s, these creations of a bygone era could reach a maximum of 11 — 12 knots and in the following decade, had absolutely no combat value.

In this unenviable state cruising power (or rather, lack of them) spent more than 30 years — a huge period of the late nineteenth century. Only shortly before the Russo-Japanese war, the Swedes decided to build my first real cruiser, intended as a scout, next ahead of the main force of a small fleet, which consisted by that time of a dozen battleships of coastal defense. So from this “scout” was not required excessively high speed that it could if anything to get away from a stronger enemy ships. But the mandatory was deemed to be the qualities of a good defense, decent weapons, and most importantly — low cost.

 

The government decided that developed and built a naval intelligence officer should be exclusively their own. And this choice proved to be extremely successful. Scandinavian engineers managed to create a very interesting ship. If only a displacement of 4300 tons “Fulvia” had a 51-mm armor deck over the entire length, reinforced in the middle part of a 100-mm side belt, though not very wide and long. Special attention deserves the artillery consisting of eight six-inch placed in two-gun towers. Towers themselves formed a “diamond” of the French sample: one at the bow and stern and two in the middle of the body on the sides. In the end, a little “Fulvia” could oppose the enemy’s six guns is a very good domestic firm “Bofors” and in the pursuit, and during the withdrawal, and side volley. It is interesting to compare “the Swede” with our armored “shestidesiatniki” or with the same scheme of location of the artillery of the French “Kleber”. Vysokovoltnyi “Varyag” or “Askold” virtually unprotected guns had not too many chances in a duel with Baltic babe. A 7600-ton “Kleber” at about the same minute a side volley was almost twice more expensive, while even a lower speed. (“Folge” the test was developed 22.8 per node, surpassing the node with the extra project assignment). Of course, this success had no relation to miracle, in addition to the layout, a Swedish cruiser had less seaworthiness and cruising range. Smaller, but quite sufficient for the Baltic sea.

 

“Fulvia” became the smallest armored cruiser in Europe (sometimes considered and the smallest unit in this class in the world, believing that the Japanese “koto” not quite deserve to be compared “Brentonico” because of its unprotected artillery). But the Swedish “angel” in a battle one-on-one superior to any light cruiser of any of the Baltic powers, including such naval giants as Germany and Russia, and is able to quickly catch up to him armadillos units were calculated. (Actually this was the only German “blücher”.) So as the flagship of a small reconnaissance forces of the Swedish fleet “armored scout” looked quite presentable.

 

After the First world war, when in the late 1920-ies on the scene began to leave the cruiser of the new generation surpassing the mini-bronenosca speed 10 knots, “Fulvio” reclassified in a training ship. In this role, “White Swan of Sweden,” as affectionately called his ship, behind the front white Scandinavians, spent more than a quarter century, visiting over the years, many countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Not forgotten and Europe: in particular, “traveller,” “wandered,” even on a fundamentally far-from Scandinavia to the Black sea, becoming the first Swedish ship, visited in 1925, the Soviet port of Sevastopol.

 

However economical the Swedes thought not only about training but also about the possibility, if necessary, lead a training ship in battle. Moreover, the clouds in Europe were gathering and in the coming war a small but very attractive and as a convenient springboard, and as a source of useful raw materials in North country could easily become the victim of aggression, especially from Germany. Therefore, in 1939, “the old lady” put on extensive upgrades. Coal boilers were replaced with four oil. The “Fulge” lost the front pipe, which has now become unnecessary. The vacated boiler room was converted into a crew quarters and classrooms for the future officers. In General appearance already served more than 30 years, the cruiser has changed considerably. The old superstructure was completely demolished, and their place was taken by modern, rounded “tower”. “Younger” appearance and due to the new sloping stem, replacing the old-fashioned battering RAM. Nobody wants “mine” 57-graph paper passed ashore, and instead established four 57-mm and 40-mm antiaircraft gun, since 1939, that looked pretty good. In a year when Europe gained strength, the war, renewed the veteran was ready for further service.

 

And unique cruiser proved to be extremely long and fruitful, ending only nearly half a century after the entry into operation in 1953. However, with the retirement life of the ship is not over. Two years it was used for various experiments with new types of weapons, including coming into fashion anti-ship missiles. Then disarmed “Fulvio” put against the wall, and finally, in 1957, sent for scrapping.

 

With unconvincing and wooden steamers began the story of the cruisers and the southern neighbor of Sweden and Denmark.

 

1550-ton Corvette “St. Thomas”, built in 1871, was a bit reminiscent of raiders of the Confederation of the southern States of America, carrying one vosmiballnogo and four six-inch guns (all rifled) and developing in calm weather 13 knots. After a long 10 years in operation includes one boat with a steam engine, this time with an iron hull, “Fien”. Its displacement has reached 2670 tons and armament was, perhaps, a record for such crumbs: as many as eighteen 120-mm guns, four of which were at that time long, 35-caliber. In addition, the cruiser had all the gimmicks: turret 37-mm skorostrel and two 350-mm torpedo tubes, as well as a powerful battering RAM. The main disadvantage of this not devoid of ambition “economy” of the ship remained too little speed, barely exceeding 12 knots.

 

I must say that the Danes decided to move to the construction of modern ships much earlier than their senior (concerning shipbuilding) neighbors-the Swedes. In 1888 at the water came the largest of the Danish cruisers, “Valkyrie”, whose tonnage reached 3000 so It had a steel body and a 63-mm armored deck, the mast remained purely symbolic, and the 5200-strong car allowed to develop is quite decent for 80 years, the speed is 17 knots. In fact, “Danish Valkyrie” was a domestic variant of the famous armstrongism “Esmeralda”, with a more reasonable weapons, consisting of a pair of 210-mm guns in the bow and stern and six 150-mm on the sides, not counting the twelve 57-mm and 37-mm skorostrel and five 390-mm torpedo tubes. Copenhagen, the shipyard did an admirable job with a very difficult task, proving that small, but developed countries can create and build good ships.

 

However, even this very modest in size, the cruiser proved too expensive to be repeated in the series. Instead of a couple of years he got “younger brother” in the face of the 1300-ton “of Hekla”. This “mini-Elswick” was one of the smallest cruisers in the world, almost saving the layout and appearance of its predecessor.

 

Now the level of miniaturization to satisfy the tiny military budget, and the project decided to repeat twice. The vacant Navy yard laid 1320-ton “Heimdall”, and the second, “Geyser”, went to a private company “Burmeister og Wain”, which became many years later, one of the largest and most successful shipyards in Europe. “Geyser” came out even more light (1265 t), although it had a slightly thicker deck armor (up to 48 mm). However, the arms on this pair was less impressive: six-inch guns gave way to more convenient for such small ships 120 millimetrovom, but 57-mm cannon was replaced with 85-mm. Another useful addition is 457-mm torpedo tubes in the nose, bringing the total number of torpedo tubes has reached five.

 

Of course, “mini Danish” hardly a full-fledged cruisers, although the layout of the ideology they really were a small copy of the famous “small armstrongism solutions” — “Esmeralda”.

 

But they were not “the best”. The Northern neighbor of Denmark, Norway, has followed the same way, in the same year, entering into operation your “Viking”, had a displacement of 1180 tons and is 9 meters shorter body. However, he also had a 37-mm armor deck and analogous to the “Hecla” artillery, which consisted of a pair of 150-mm guns and eight small-caliber skorostrel (four 57-mm and 37-mm). Less impressive seemed only torpedo armament, and in number three unit, the size (350 mm) and a speed not exceeding 15 knots. Considering the last factor, we can say that “Viking” was already on the edge between the cruisers and gun-boats. Curiously, the Norwegians also decided to repeat it in a few years, building “Fridtjof”, with changes similar to those adopted by the Danes. Calibers of artillery, like the Danes, too close, with replacement of 150-mm guns, 120-mm, 57-mm by 76-mm, and displacement was increased to 1360 T.

Armored cruiser “Fylgia” (Sweden, 1907)

Built at the shipyard in Bergunde. The displacement of 4735 tons, waterline length of 115.1 m, width of 14.78 m, draught of 6.3 m. Capacity twin-shaft steam install 12 000 HP, speed 22 knots. Armament: eight 152/50 fourteen and 57-mm guns, two 457-mm torpedo tubes. Reservations: belt 102 mm, deck 25 — 51 mm, turrets 127 mm, scrapped in 1957

 

Armored cruiser “Gelderland” (Holland, 1898)

Built by “Feyenord”. Displacement 3970 t, the maximum length of 94.7 m, beam of 14.8 m, draught of 5.41 m. Capacity twin-shaft steam plants 10 000 HP, speed 20 knots. Armament: two 152/40 and six 120/40-mm guns, four 75 mm, four 47-mm small-caliber, two 457-mm torpedo tubes. Booking: deck 51 mm, glacis over the cylinders of 127 mm. machines Only in 1897 — 1900 built six units: “Holland”, “Friesland”, “Zeeland”, “Gelderland”, “Utrecht” and “North Brabant”. “Friesland” and “Utrecht” excluded from the lists of the fleet in 1913, the Holland — 1920, “Zeeland” in 1924, “North Brabant” died in may 1940, “Gelderland” captured by the Germans, converted into a cruiser air-defense under the name “Niobe” and died in July 1944

 

Small cruiser “Hekla” (Denmark, 1891)

Built at the shipyard of the Navy in Copenhagen. A displacement of 1300 tons, the maximum length of 72.65 m, width of 10,36 m, draft of 3.45 m. the thickness of the steam engine 3000 HP, speed 17 knots. Armament: two 150/35 mm gun, four 57-mm and six 37-mm small-caliber revolver, four 380-mm torpedo tubes. Booking: deck 25 — 43 mm. Built one unit.

 

If the Scandinavians did not have to worry about the distant overseas colonial possessions in view of the almost complete lack of them, Holland had very impressive for a small country territories requiring permanent military concerns and costs, including the Navy. So in the 70-ies of the XIX century the Dutch decided to upgrade their ancient and exclusively sailing cruising power, laying on the Amsterdam Navy yard consistently six units. “Atga”, “Tromp”, “Kanigen Emma”, “De Ruyter”, “van Speyk” and “Johan Willem Friso” was a complete contrast to the Danish and Norwegian “mini”. If “Scandinavian” was an attempt to create a “perfect fighting machine” in the shortest possible size, then by the Dutch cruiser was designed primarily for colonial service. Therefore, their sizes were much more solid — displacement reached 3420 — 3670 tons, length — about 92 m, draught — 7 m. almost To save fuel in the long March remained full mast, and the speed under steam was very reasonable, actually — quite small (13,5 — 14,5 km). They could carry up to 600 tons of coal for long hikes. Arms also correspond to the “overseas” tasks and consisted of rather numerous short 170-mm (six-guns) and 120-mm guns (eight guns) in the absence of skorostrel and torpedo tubes. If you consider the fact that any protection they lacked in principle, it is not easy to predict how would end the fight between the “colonial” cruiser and half, but armored Danish or Norwegian “mini-trampoline”. However, such a battle could not take place, not only because the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries in recent history always remained in a good relationship, but also because “Tromp” with friends was basically far away from Europe, in the Dutch East Indies. For less fouling of the iron body in the underwater part trimmed with wooden slats, and over — copper leaves. In principle, at the beginning of the construction of the series this type of colonial cruiser it had the right to exist, but after decades during which the series was built, for the laying of last — “Friso” — project became obsolete once and for all. The designers have tried to somehow fix the situation, but, realizing the hopelessness of such an event in the framework of a fundamentally outdated vehicle, limited to the installation of several small-caliber skorostrel, also primarily for use in the colonies.

 

The Dutch tried to create your own version of the small armored cruiser, pulled his water in 1890 1700-ton “Sumatra”. This 17-key cruiser carried at least sails and had a surprisingly motley weapons. Nose was quite modern 210-mm gun, in the stern — 150-mm side sponsons — pair of 120 mm. in addition, the add-in is four 37-mm skorostrel and a couple of turret guns of the same caliber. Complement this “salad” a couple of 350-mm torpedo tubes. Protection, however, was quite adequate for such a small size: it consisted of 37-mm armored deck.

This strange ship, which even cannot be attributed to the class of cruisers, unexpectedly fell in love the Dutch admirals and developed. Two years later the stocks of the state shipyard in Amsterdam, moved on the water even more exotic and colorful pattern. “Konigin Wilhelmina der Nederlanden” had a much more solid displacement 4530 t and a unique artillery. In the bow is wide (about 15 m) and very Descoberto housing on the superstructure were placed 280-mm gun in Barberey installation, covered by armor of the same thickness. (The add-in allow somehow to use a large-caliber cannon on a little excitement, although the attempt to put such a heavy load higher up meant a threat to stability.) In the stern stood a more modest, but still more serious than 210-graph paper, protected only by a shield. In the middle of the body on the sides were a pair of 170-mm guns; in addition, the “Wilhelmina” there were four three-inch plank, and a 37-mm skorostrel six and four single-barrel revolver. The number of torpedo tubes compared to the “Sumatra” has doubled. Thus, the “Dutch Queen” carried six types of artillery, five different calibers — isn’t that a little overkill for a small ship. As originally looked and reservations: in addition to the 280-mm barbitol glacis armor of the same thickness covered the upper part of the boiler, and a similar structure with a thickness of 127-mm — cylinders of the steam engine. The reason was that a mechanical setup would not fit under low-lying 50-mm armored deck, which had 75-mm bevels. The combination of 11-inch artillery and a reservation at a speed of just 15.5 per node were forced to doubt as to the identity of this extravagant vehicle to the class of cruisers to an even greater extent than in the case of “Sumatra”, but the Dutch surely consider it as such. Moreover, the “Wilhelmina” has become one of the largest modern cruiser Holland until the construction in the 20-ies of XX century new, modern ships. By that time, however, in a system she no longer was “the Queen” was sent into retirement in 1910, three years after “Sumatra”.