Novik

Ballistics

Armor Model

Overview

A competition for the development of a small reconnaissance cruiser for the Pacific Fleet was announced in April 1898. Shipbuilding firms from various countries joined the competition for the right to build the ship—preference was given to the German shipyard Schichau. Construction began in March 1900 in Danzig, and in August of the same year, the ship was launched. The ship developed an extremely high speed for its time and class, for which it was maximally lightened. At the end of 1902—early 1903, the cruiser, under the command of Captain N. O. Essen, moved to the Far East, where it was included in the Pacific Squadron. The ship actively participated in the Russo-Japanese War from its very beginning. In the Battle of the Yellow Sea, 'Novik' received minor damage. The cruiser managed to break through to Qingdao, and to reach Vladivostok, it was decided to sail around Japan. 'Novik' withstood a battle with the Japanese cruiser Tsushima near the Korsakov post on Sakhalin, but the crew was forced to scuttle the ship in anticipation of Japanese reinforcements. In 1906, 'Novik' was raised by the Japanese and, after repairs, entered the Japanese fleet under the name Suzuya.