Russian cruiser Asia (1878)
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The Asia (russ.: А́зия) was a cruiser of the Imperial Russian Navy. The ship was one of three merchantmen purchased in the United States by the Russian government in 1878 to be transformed into cruisers; the State of California became the Europa, the Saratoga became the Afrika, and the Columbus became the Asia.
The steamship Columbus was built 1873/74 in Philadelphia and was purchased by the Russians in May 1878. She was sailed to Russia by a Russian crew and refitted in 1878-79 in Kronstadt. The cruiser displaced 2449 tons, was 82.3 m long and 10.7 m wide, and had a draught of 4.8 m. It was armed with three 15.2 cm guns, five 9-pounder (10.7 cm) guns, four 2.54 cm guns and two 44.5 cm torpedotubes. Its 1200-hp steam engine allowed a top speed of about 12.5 knots. Its range was 9,600 nautical miles. The crew comprised 11 officers and 207 men.
The cruiser saw initial duty in the Far East, but then returned to the Baltic. It was downgraded to Cruiser 2nd Class on 1 February 1892. The future Viceadmiral Karl Jessen was her commanding officer in 1895 and 1896. In 1898 she received a new engine, giving her 2700 hp and a top speed of 15.7 knots.
In August 1911, now rather obsolete, the Asia was transferred to the reserve fleet. In October 1912 she was renamed Kaukas (russ.: "Кавказ"). Following the outbreak of the First World War, she was once again renamed Asia on 11 September 1914, assigned to the Baltic Fleet's transport squadron and used as a minelayer.
The ship was deactivated in May 1918 and scrapped in 1923.
