International Naval Journal

4-15

Authors: Emir Yener

Empress Catherine II of Russia’s reign is largely shaped by the two Russo-Turkish wars (1768-74 and 1787-91). This conflict did result with a most radical alteration of the balance of power in Eastern Europe and both the Romanov and Ottoman navies did play a decisive role in the outcome of these two wars. However, in stark contrast with the well researched Russian naval power, the knowledge about the Ottoman navy in this crucial era is still largely limited to the 18th century assumptions and judgements. This short article is an attempt to redress this situation by comparing the strength, construction, arming and manning of the Ottoman sailing navy with its Russian counterpart in light of the latest research from the Turkish, Western European and Russian archives.

25-34

Authors: Zvonimir Freivogel

The ironclads of the «Monarch» class, albeit small and known mostly as «coast defenders» were first modern battleships of the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Navy (Kaiserlicheund Königliche Kriegsmarine / K.u.k. Marine). They were planed and built shortly before the turn of the XIX to XX century, and were the oldest of the several Austro-Hungarian battleship classes that participated in World War One (there were some older units in service, but these were mostly used as guard, headquarters or barracks ships). Because of their old age, they served during the early war stages as an detached coast defence squadron, responsible for the defence of the Bocche di Cattaro and support of the land forces against Montenegro, and were not part of the Battle Fleet any more. Later two vesels were sent to the Northern Adriatic, supporting Army units with their artillery on the front against Italy, and one of these ships was lost there, during a stay on the supposedly secure anchorage. After the war, the remaining pair followed their younger «consorts», being delivered to the victors and scrapped afterwards.

44-54

Authors: Alexander F. Mitrofanov

«Almirante Grau», former Dutch cruiser «De Ruyter» has long been the flagship of the Peruvian Navy. Currently it is the world's oldest operating cruiser and the world's only ship with a powerful artillery weapons. We consider the history of the ship and its major modernization.