Varyag

Ballistics

Armor Model

Overview

A cruiser built under the program of squadron reconnaissance cruisers for the Pacific Fleet in Philadelphia. After commissioning, it was transferred to the Far East, where it was used as a station ship in Chemulpo. At the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, the enemy blockaded Chemulpo and demanded that the cruiser leave the port. 'Varyag' and the accompanying gunboat 'Koreets' attempted a breakthrough—they were met by six Japanese cruisers. After an hour-long battle, the heavily damaged cruiser retreated back to the port, where it was decided to scuttle the ships. In August 1905, the Japanese raised the cruiser, which after repairs entered the Japanese fleet under the name Soya. In 1916, Russia, to strengthen the newly formed Arctic Ocean Flotilla, bought back its old ships captured during the war from Japan. At the beginning of 1917, 'Varyag,' having regained its old name, moved to Great Britain for repairs. After the October Revolution, the Soviet government refused to recognize the debts of Tsarist Russia, and Great Britain confiscated the cruiser.