Russian cruiser Zhemchug

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Battle damage to cruiser Zemtchug inflicted at the Battle of Tsushima. Note shell hole in stack. Photo taken in June,1905, at Manila bay.
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Battle damage to cruiser Zemtchug inflicted at the Battle of Tsushima. Note shell hole in stack. Photo taken in June,1905, at Manila bay.

The Zhemchug (Жемчуг - Pearl) was a light cruiser of the Imperial Russian Navy. The Zhemchug and her sister ship Izumrud (Emerald) were based on the German built Russian cruiser Novik (1900).The ship was launched in 1903 and fought in the Russo-Japanese war, escaping from the Battle of Tsushima to be interned in neutral Manila.

During World War I she was part of the Russian Pacific fleet. She was torpedoed and sunk by the German cruiser SMS Emden at the Battle of Penang on 28th October 1914. Casualties were 89 dead and 143 wounded.

The ship was tied up at a state of non readiness while her captain, Baron Cherkassov had gone ashore that night to visit a lady friend. Cherkasov was court martialled for negligence and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in Prison.

[edit] General Characteristics

  • Displacement: 3103 tons
  • Length: 111 m
  • Beam: 12.20m
  • Draught: 5m
  • Machinery: 3 shaft VTE steam engines, 16 Yarrow coal firred boilers, 17,000 hp
  • Speed: 24 knots
  • Armament: 6 - 120mm guns, 6 - 47mm guns, 2 -37mm guns, 3 18 inch torpedo tubes
  • Crew: 350
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