THE JAPANESE FLEET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1432, 17 April 1905, Page 4

THE JAPANESE FLEET.

The Japanese fleet comprises the following battleships and cruißera, in addition to (approximately) 33 partially armored oruisors, ranging from 600 to 4500 tons, some 20 (or more) destroyers, and a large number of torpedo boats : Asahi, 15.200 tons, 18 knots, 4 12-in, 14 6-in, 20 12-pounders, and 8 3-pounders, 4 2J- pounders, 4 torpedo tubeß, Chin Yen, 7400 tons, 14 knots, 4 12-in, 10 6-in, 16 machine guns, 3 torpedo tubes. Fuji, 12,320 tons, 19.2 knots, 4 12-in, 10 6-in, 20 3-pounders, 4 4£-poundera. ggJMikasa, 15.200 tons 18.6 knots, 4 12-in, 14 6-in, 12 12-pounders, 8 21-pounders,; 5 torpedo tubes (4 sub.). Shikishima, 14,850 tons, 18.5 knots, 4 12-in, 16.6-in, 20 12-pounders, 8 .machine guns, 5 torpedo tubes. All but the Chin Yen are new first-class warships of the hightest grade. Asama, 9,750 tons, 23.3 knots, 4 8-in, 14 6-in, 12 12-poundors, 7 2J-pounders, 5 torpedo tubes (4 sub.). Azuma, 9426 tons, 20 knots, 4 8-in, 12 6-in, 12 3-in, 12 1-in, 3 torpodo tubes. Chiyoda, 2450 tons, 17.5 knots, 10 4.7in, 14 3-pounders, 3 machine guns, 3 torpedo tubes. Idzumo, 9750 tons, 21 knots, 4 8-in, 14 6-in, 12 12-pounderß, 8 21-pounders, 4 torpedo tubes. Iwate, 9750 tons, 21 knots, 4 'B-iD, 14 6* in, 12.12-pounders, 8 pedo tubes. Kasuga, 7700 tons, 20 knots, 1 10-in, 2 8-in, 14 6-in, 10 3-in, 6 1.8-in, 2 maohine guns, 4 torpedo tubes. Nisshin, 7770 tons, 20 knotß, 4 S in, 14 6-in, 10 3 in, 6 1.8-in, 2 machine guns, 4 torpedo tubes. Tokiwa, 9750 tons, 23 knots, 4 8-in 1,4 6-in, 12 12-pounders, 7 21-pounders, 4 sub. torpedo tubes. Yakumo, 9850 tons, 23 knots, 4 8-in, 12 6-in, 12 12-pounders, 7 21 pounders, 5 torpedo tubes (4 sub.).

THE RUSSIAN FLEET.

The Kniaz Suvarofif is Admiral Rozhdestvensky’s flagship, and has a displacement of 13,516 tons, with a speed of 18 knots. She is armed with 4 12-in, 12 6-in, 20 3-in, 20 3-ponnders, and 6 1-pounders, and is fitted with Bix torpedo tubes (2 sub). The tonnage, speed, aad armament of the other vessels referred to, as far as they are available, are as follows : Alexander 11., 9927 tonB; 16.5 knots, 4 9-in. 8 6-in, 4 6-pounders, 4 3-pounders, 6 1-pounders, 5 torpedo tubes (2 subs.). Borodino, 13,600 tons, 18 knots, 4 12in, 12 6-in, 30 3 in, 20 3-pounders, 6 1ponnders, 6 torpedo tubes (4 sub.). Orel, 13,600 tous, 18 knots. 4 12-in, 12 6-in, 20 3-in, 20 3-pounders, 6 1-pounders, 4 torpedo tubes (2 sub.). Sissoi Veliky, 10,400 tons, 16 knots, £ 12-in, 6 6-in, 12 1.8-in, 4 1.4-in, 2 machine guns, 6 torpedo tubes. Cleg, 6675 tons, 23 knots, 12 6-in, 12 3io, 6 1.8-in, 2 sub. torpedo tubes. Admiral Nakhimoff, 8524 tons, 16.7 knots, 8 8-in, 10 6-in, 10 quick firing, 4 3pounders, 6 maohine guns 4 torpedo tubes. Dimitri Donskoi, 6882 touß, 16.5 knots, 6 6-in, 10 4.7-in, 16 quick firing and machine guns. Aurora, 6630 tons, ;20 knots,.B 6-in, 20 3-in, 8 1.4-in. Izumrud and Jemtchug (sister vessels), 3080 tons, 24 knots, "6 4.7-in, 6 1.8-in, 2 1.4-in, 1 machine gun, and 5 torpedo tubes.

Almaz, 3285 tons, 19 knot 3, 6 4.7 in, 8 1.8-in, 2 1.4-in, 3 machine guns, 6 torpedo tubeß. (The Naval Annual gives the ma : Chine guns as doubtful). The transports are for the moat part woll-known mailboats purchased in Geri many, mostly fast sailors and armed with 6-in guns. The following vessels also belong to tho Baltic Jfleet, and are probably with Adi miral Rozhdestvensky, viz. : Oalabaya (battleship), 12,674 tons,. 18 knots, 4 10in, 11 6in, 16 3in, 10 l'Bin, 17 l*4in, and 6 torpedo tubes. Navarina (battleship), 10,206 tous, 16 knots, 4 12in, 8 6in, 14 quick-firing and 4 light guns, 6 torpedo tubes. Svietlana, 3828 tons, 20'2 knots, 6.5'9in (Ganet), 10 l*Bin, 4 torpedo-tubes, The transports Kamsohatka, Anadyr, and Malava have also to be accounted for.