Evstafi-class battleship

The two Evstafi-class ships were {{convert|379|ft|1}} long at the waterline and {{convert|385|ft|9|in|1}} long overall. They had a beam of {{convert|74|ft|1}} and a draught of {{convert|28|ft|1}}. They displaced {{convert|12855|LT|t|0}}, only {{convert|120|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} more than their designed displacement of {{convert|12738|LT|t|0|abbr=on}}.McLaughlin 2003, p. 147 The Evstafi class were slightly larger than Potemkin, being {{convert|8|ft|3|in|1}} longer, {{convert|1|ft|1}} wider, but displaced {{convert|45|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} less. The ships had a double bottom from frames 18 to 82. They were divided into 10 main compartments by transverse watertight bulkheads. They also had a centreline longitudinal bulkhead, presumably separating the engine rooms.McLaughlin 2003, pp. 116, 147, 149

The Evstafi class had two three-cylinder vertical triple expansion steam engines built by ONZiV in Nikolayev that had a total designed output of {{convert|10600|ihp|lk=in}}.McLaughlin 2003, p. 46 Twenty-two Belleville water-tube boilers provided steam to the engines at a pressure of {{convert|242|psi|kPa kg/cm2|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}, which drove two screw propellers. On sea trials, the powerplant produced a total over {{convert|10800|ihp|abbr=on}} and a top speed of {{convert|16.2|knots}}. They carried a maximum of {{convert|1100|LT|MT}} of coal at full load that provided a range of {{convert|2100|nmi|lk=in}} at a speed of {{convert|10|kn}}. Two steam-powered dynamos were carried with a total output of 300 kW, as well as two auxiliary dynamos rated at 64 kW each.McLaughlin 2003, pp. 148, 151–152

The main armament consisted of two pairs of 12-inch 40-calibre Pattern 1895 guns mounted in hydraulically powered twin turrets fore and aft. Each turret had a firing arc of 260 degrees. The guns had a rate of fire of 40 seconds between rounds and 75 rounds per gun were carried.McLaughlin 2003, pp. 148, 150 These guns had a maximum elevation of 35 degrees and could depress to -5 degrees. They fired a {{convert|731.3|lb|kg|adj=on}} shell at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2598|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} to a range of {{convert|22200|yd|m}} at maximum elevation.{{cite web|url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNRussian_12-40_m1895.htm|title=Russian 12"/40 (30.5 cm) Pattern 1895 305 mm/40 (12") Pattern 1895|date=12 January 2009|publisher=Navweaps.com |access-date=22 December 2009}}

All four 203 mm 50 caliber Pattern 1905 50-calibre Pattern 1905 guns were mounted in the corners of the superstructure in armoured casemates. These guns had a firing arc of 120 degrees and could fire straight ahead or astern.McLaughlin 2003, p. 150 They had a range of elevation from -5 degrees to +20 degrees. The guns fired a high explosive shell that weighed {{convert|264.3|lb|kg}} at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2647|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}. At 19.5 degrees elevation it could range out to {{convert|15800|yd|m}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNRussian_8-50_m1905.htm|title=Russian 8"/50 (20.3 cm) Pattern 1905 203 mm/50 (8") Pattern 1905|date=21 May 2006|publisher=Navweaps.com|access-date=18 June 2010}} 110 rounds were stowed per gun.

The dozen {{convert|6|in|adj=on|0}} Canet Pattern 1892 45-calibre guns were mounted in the lower casemates. The guns could elevate to a maximum of 20 degrees and depress to -5 degrees. They fired shells that weighed {{convert|91.27|lb|kg|abbr=on}} with a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2600|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}. They had a maximum range of {{convert|12600|yd|m}} when fired at maximum elevation.{{cite web|url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNRussian_6-45_m1892.htm|title=Russian 6"/45 (15.2 cm) Pattern 1892 152 mm/45 (6") Pattern 1892|date=12 January 2009|publisher=Navweps.com |access-date=22 December 2009}} The ships carried 180 rounds per gun.

The anti-torpedo boat armament consisted of fourteen {{convert|75|mm|adj=on}} Canet Pattern 1892 50-calibre guns mounted in sponsons on the upper deck, protected by gun shields. The gun fired {{convert|10.8|lb|kg|adj=on}} shells to a range of about {{convert|8600|yd|0}} at its maximum elevation of 21 degrees with a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2700|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}. The rate of fire was between 12 and 15 rounds per minute.{{cite web|url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNRussian_29-50_m1891.htm|title=Russian 75 mm/50 (2.95") Pattern 1892 --- French 7.5 cm/50 (2.95") Canet Model 1891 |date=17 July 2007|publisher=Navweps.com|access-date=18 February 2010}}

The Evstafi class carried two {{convert|17.7|in|mm|adj=on}} torpedo tubes on the broadside aft.McLaughlin 2003, p. 151 These torpedoes carried a {{convert|212|lb|adj=on}} warhead of TNT. It had two speed settings which gave it a maximum range of {{convert|3280|yd}} at {{convert|29|kn}} or {{convert|2190|yd}} at {{convert|34|kn}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTRussian_PreWWII.htm|title=Russia / USSR Torpedoes Pre-World War II|date=19 November 2008|publisher=Navweaps.com|access-date=16 June 2010}}

The Evstafi-class ships used Krupp armour. The maximum thickness of the waterline belt was {{convert|9|in|mm|0}} which reduced to {{convert|7|-|8|in|mm|0}} abreast the magazines. It covered about {{convert|157|ft|m|1}} of the ship's length. The belt was {{convert|7|ft|6|in|1}} high, including {{convert|4|ft|m}} below the waterline. The belt terminated in {{convert|7|in|mm|0|adj=on}} transverse bulkheads. The belt was extended to the bow by armour plates {{convert|3|-|4|in|mm|0}} thick and to the stern by {{convert|2|-|3|in|mm|0|adj=on}} armour.

The upper belt was six inches thick and was intended to protect the gap between the waterline belt and the casemate. The casemate protected the six and eight-inch guns and was {{convert|5|in|mm|0}} thick; {{convert|1.5|in|mm|0|adj=on}} bulkheads separated each gun. The sides of the turrets were {{convert|10|in|0}} thick and they had a {{convert|2.5|in|mm|0|adj=on}} roof. Their barbettes were also 10 inches thick, although this was reduced to five inches where they were screened behind other armour. The two conning towers' sides were {{convert|8|in|mm|0}} in thickness with a {{convert|3|in|mm|0|adj=on}} roof. The decks ranged from {{convert|1.37|-|3|in}} in thickness.

Construction of both ships began well before the formal keel-laying ceremony; Evstafi on 13 July 1904All dates used in this article are New Style and Ioann Zlatoust on 13 July 1903, although the working drawings and preliminary calculations were not approved until 31 May 1904, which caused some problems with Ioann Zlatoust. Progress was relatively quick, despite the disruptions caused by the 1905 Revolution, and both ships were launched less than three years after work began. Fitting-out, however, was considerably delayed by a number of changes made as the navy digested the lessons of the Russo-Japanese War. Maximum elevation of the main guns was increased from 15 degree to 35 degrees, the number of torpedo tubes was reduced from five to two, mine stowage was eliminated as were the {{convert|47|mm|in|1|adj=on}} guns. The armour protection of the waterline fore and aft of the main belt was increased to prevent the sort of damage that disabled several ships at the Battle of Tsushima. A second conning tower was added at the rear of the superstructure and its design was altered, probably to eliminate the overhanging top that deflected splinters into the conning tower at the Battle of the Yellow Sea and Tsushima. The masts and their fighting tops were replaced by light pole masts and light booms replaced the heavy boat cranes to save weight.McLaughlin 2003, pp. 147, 149

{{Main|Battle of Cape Sarych}}

Evstafi, as the newest ship in the Black Sea Fleet, was the flagship of Vice Admiral Andrei Eberhardt for the first year or so of World War I. Two weeks after the Russian declaration of war on the Ottoman Empire on 2 November 1914, the Black Sea Fleet set out to bombard Trebizond on 15 November. The force consisted of the pre-dreadnoughts Evstafi, Ioann Zlatoust, {{ship|Russian battleship|Pantelimon||2}}, {{ship|Russian battleship|Rostislav||2}}, {{ship|Russian battleship|Tri Sviatitelia||2}} and three cruisers escorted by three destroyers and 11 torpedo boats. They did this successfully on the morning of 17 November and then turned west to hunt for Turkish shipping along the Anatolian coast before setting course for Sevastopol later that afternoon. The following day, while en route, the ships were intercepted by the German battlecruiser Goeben and the light cruiser {{SMS|Breslau}} in what came to be known as the Battle of Cape Sarych.

Despite the noon hour the conditions were foggy and the capital ships initially did not spot each other. The Black Sea Fleet had experimented on concentrating fire from several ships under the control of a "master ship" before the war and Evstafi held her fire until Ioann Zlatoust, the master ship, could see Goeben. When the gunnery commands were finally received they showed a range over {{convert|4000|yd}} in excess of Evstafi{{'}}s own estimate of {{convert|7700|yd}}, so Evstafi opened fire using her own data before Goeben turned to unmask its broadside. She scored a hit with her first salvo as a 12-inch shell partially penetrated the armor casemate protecting one of Goeben{{'}}s {{convert|15|cm|adj=on|1}} secondary guns. It detonated some of the ready-use ammunition, starting a fire that burnt out the casemate and killed its crew.McLaughlin 2003, pp. 302–303

Goeben returned fire shortly afterward and hit Evstafi in the middle funnel; the shell detonated after it passed through the funnel and destroyed the antennae for the fire-control radio, which meant that Evstafi could not correct Ioann Zlatoust{{'}}s inaccurate range data. The other ships either used Ioann Zlatoust{{'}}s incorrect data or never saw Goeben and failed to register any hits on the German ship. Goeben hit Evstafi four more times, although one shell failed to detonate, before Rear Admiral Wilhelm Souchon decided to turn away and break contact after fourteen minutes of combat. Evstafi suffered 34 killed and 24 wounded from those hits, and only fired between 12 and 16 twelve-inch shells, as well as 14 eight-inch and 19 six-inch shells. Ioann Zlatoust fired only six shells from her main armament.McLaughlin 2001, pp. 131–133

Several armour plates on Evstafi required replacement after the battle and they were taken from the old pre-dreadnought {{ship|Russian battleship|Dvenadsat Apostolov||2}}, allowing the repairs to be complete by 29 November.McLaughlin 2001, p. 132 On 9 January 1915 Breslau and the {{ship|Ottoman cruiser|Hamidiye}} encountered the Russian fleet while returning from a bombardment mission in the eastern part of the Black Sea. During a minor engagement Breslau hit Evstafi{{'}}s forward turret, temporarily putting it out of action, after which the two cruisers escaped using their superior speed.McLaughlin 2003, p. 152

Evstafi and Ioann Zlatoust served as the covering force for several bombardment missions of the Bosphorus between 18 March and 9 May 1915. While the two earlier bombardments were uneventful, the 9 May bombardment provoked a reaction as Goeben intercepted the Russian battleships after they had been spotted by the {{ship|Ottoman destroyer|Nümune-i Hamiyet}}. Both forces turned on parallel courses and opened fire at the range of {{convert|17400|yd}}, and although neither side scored a hit, Goeben had multiple near-misses on Evstafi. Admiral Eberhardt then ordered his ships to make only {{convert|5|kn}}, while Goeben was making {{convert|25|kn}}. Goeben was unable to cross the T of the Russian ships, despite its superior speed, as they were continually turning. This maneuver bought enough time that Tri Sviatitelia and Panteleimon were able to rejoin the other two ships before they could start shelling the Ottoman forts. Panteleimon then hit Goeben twice before the German ship broke contact after 22 minutes of firing. With the fleet assembled Admiral Eberhardt attempted to pursue the German battlecruiser, but was unsuccessful.Nekrasov, pp. 55–57

Both ships were subsequently fitted with anti-aircraft guns on top of each of their turrets during 1915, and screens were added on top of their funnels to keep out light bombs. Ioann Zlatoust initially received four 75-millimetre guns, but this was later altered to a pair of 75 mm guns and another pair of {{convert|63.5|mm|adj=on|1}} guns. Evstafi first received three 75 mm guns, but these were later replaced by two 63.5 mm guns and a pair of {{convert|40|mm|adj=on|1}} guns.McLaughlin 2003, p. 310 On 1 August 1915 she, and all the other pre-dreadnoughts, were transferred to the 2nd Battleship Brigade, after the dreadnought {{ship|Russian battleship|Imperatritsa Mariya||2}} had entered service. On 1 October the new dreadnought provided cover while Ioann Zlatoust and Pantelimon bombarded Zonguldak and Evstafi shelled the nearby town of Kozlu.McLaughlin 2003, p. 304 Later, both Evstafi-class ships participated in the second bombardment of Varna in May 1916.Nekrasov, pp. 90–92

Evstafi and Ioann Zlatoust were reduced to reserve in March 1918 in Sevastopol. Immobile, they were captured by the Germans there in May and handed over to the Allies the following December. The British wrecked their engines between 22 and 24 April 1919 when they left the Crimea in order to prevent the advancing Bolsheviks from using them against the White Russians. Later, they were captured by both sides during the Russian Civil War, but were abandoned by the White Russians when they evacuated the Crimea in November 1920. The ships were then scrapped in 1922–1923, although they were not stricken from the navy list until 21 November 1925.

{{Reflist|group=Note}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{cite book|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905|editor1-first=Roger|editor1-last=Chesneau|editor2-first=Eugene M.|editor2-last=Kolesnik |publisher=Mayflower Books|location=New York|year=1979|isbn=0-8317-0302-4|url-access=registration |url= https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_l2e2|pages=170–217 |chapter=Russia |last1=Campbell |first1=N. J. M.|name-list-style=amp}}
• {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=Naval Weapons of World War One: Guns, Torpedoes, Mines and ASW Weapons of All Nations: An Illustrated Directory|publisher=Seaforth |location=Barnsley, UK|year=2011|isbn=978-1-84832-100-7 |authorlink=Norman Friedman}}
• {{cite book|last=McLaughlin|first=Stephen|editor-last=Preston|editor-first= Antony|title=Warship 2001–2002|year=2001 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=London|isbn=0-85177-901-8|pages=117–140|chapter=Predreadnoughts vs a Dreadnought: The Action off Cape Sarych, 18 November 1914|editor-link=Antony Preston}}
• {{Cite book|last=McLaughlin|first=Stephen|title=Russian & Soviet Battleships|publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=2003|isbn=1-55750-481-4}}
• {{cite book|last=Nekrasov|first=George|title=North of Gallipoli: The Black Sea Fleet at War 1914–1917|series=East European monographs|volume=CCCXLIII|year=1992|publisher=East European Monographs|location=Boulder, Colorado |isbn=0-88033-240-9}}

{{Commons category|Evstafiy class battleship}}

• [http://flot.sevastopol.info/ship/brone/evstafiy.htm ship history on Black Sea Fleet] {{in lang|ru}}
• [http://flot.sevastopol.info/ship/brone/ioann_zlatoust.htm ship history on Black Sea Fleet] {{in lang|ru}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081009105931/http://www.uarmy.com.ua/ALMANAH/ALMANAH03/article12/art12.html КОРАБЛІ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ ФЛОТИ (1917 - 1918 рр.) – Ukrainian Navy (1917-1918)] {{in lang|uk}}
• [http://rusnavy.com/history/interesting/ukranianfleet.htm?print=Y Ukrainian Navy: ferial excursions into the past and present]

{{Evstafi class battleship}}

{{WWI Russian ships}}

Category:Battleship classes

Evstafi class battleship

Evstafi class battleship