Page 268 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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PRE-DREADNOUGHT BATTLESHIP Mainmast Funnel Foremast
AND IMPERIALISM 1815–1914
Bridge
MIKASA Stern walk Armored ram

The only remaining example of a pre-dreadnought battleship, the
Mikasa was the Japanese flagship at the Battle of Tsushima, in 1905 Rudder 3in gun 6in gun
(pp.264–65), which saw the Imperial Russian fleet virtually annihilated. casemates casemates SIDE VIEW

Based on the Royal Navy’s Majestic class, in 14in- (356mm-) thick “barbettes” around Steam 12in gun
the Mikasa was the last of four similar the 12in gun installations. The armor 12in gun turret pinnace turret Anchor
battleships built in British yards for the proved effective at Tsushima, when some davit
Imperial Japanese Navy. Constructed by 30 hits from Russian guns failed to put the
Vickers at Barrow-in-Furness, the Mikasa Mikasa out of action. Ironically, the ship
entered service on March 1, 1902. sank in the harbor four months later after
The ship’s main armament consisted an accidental explosion in a magazine.
of four 12in guns, 40 calibers long, Although raised in 1906 and repaired, PLAN VIEW
mounted in twin center-line turrets fore the Mikasa never saw combat again and ▲ MIKASA
About 432ft (132m) long and displacing 15,180 tons,
Y and aft. These could be fired at a rate of was decommissioned in 1923. It is now the Mikasa was powered by two triple-expanding steam
three shots every two minutes. The Mikasa’s a museum ship at Yokosuka.
engines that gave a top speed of 18 knots.
INDUSTR secondary armament included fourteen ◀ BRIDGE
6in quick-firing guns, lighter guns for
The pilot house (left) and chartroom
defense against destroyers and torpedo-
(right) are topped by an open platform
boats, and four submerged torpedo tubes.
The Mikasa was one of the first ships
It was from here that Admiral Togo
to have “Krupp Cemented” steel armor. bearing a compass and rangefinder.
Heihachiro commanded the Japanese
In addition to forming the main deck, fleet at Tsushima.
this armor was fitted in belts around the
waterline up to 9in (23cm) thick, and ▼ 12IN GUN TURRET
The Mikasa’s original 12in guns could fire
a 850lb (385kg) projectile 8½ miles
(13.5km). They were replaced by
BRIDGE AND FORWARD
45-caliber pieces during the 1906 rebuild.

▲ FORE ANCHOR ▲ COMMAND POST ▲ SEARCHLIGHT
Once raised, the anchor was returned to a platform Orders were given to the The wing searchlights were used
just below upper-deck level, rather than to the pilothouse via speaking tubes to locate other vessels at night and
hawsehole. It was brought there by a davit. (left) beside the compass. for long-distance signaling.

▲ REAR VIEW OF BRIDGE ▲ PORTHOLE
Situated in front of the foremast, the bridge gives an uninterrupted view Small glazed portholes, which could
forwards and to each side. The long “wings” of the bridge, on which two 35in be sealed closed, were located only
(90cm) electric searchlights are mounted, extend the full width of the ship. in unarmored parts of the hull.