battleship - a sailing warship of wood with a displacement of up to 6 thousand. Tonnes.They had 135 guns on the sides, arranged in several rows and 800 crew members.These ships were used in the fighting at sea with the use of so-called linear battlefield tactics in the 17-19 th centuries.
appearance of battleships
name "Ship Line" known since the days of sailing ships.During the sea battle mnogopalubniki lined up in one line to give salvo of guns on the enemy.It is the simultaneous fire from all on-board guns inflicted substantial damage on the enemy.Soon, this tactic became known as the battle line.Construction line vessels during sea battles were first used by British and Spanish fleets at the beginning of the 17th century.
progenitors battleships are galleons with heavy weapons, Carrack.The first mention of them appeared in Europe in the early 17th century.These models battleships were much lighter and shorter galleons.These qualities allowed them to maneuver quickly, that is to line up alongside the enemy.It was necessary to build such a way that the nose of the next ship was necessarily directed to feed the previous one.Why they were not afraid to put the board ships under enemy attack?Because the multilayer wood sides were reliable protection from the nuclei of the enemy ship.
process of becoming battleships
soon appear mnogopalubny battleship sailing, which is more than 250 years, has become the primary means of waging war at sea.Progress does not stand still, thanks to the latest methods of calculation buildings became possible to cut gun ports in tiers at the very beginning of construction.Thus, it was possible to calculate the strength of the ship before it is launched.In the mid-17th century there was a clear distinction between the classes:
- old double-decker.It ships whose decks are located one above the other.They forced 50 guns, firing at the enemy through windows in the sides of the ship.These floating equipment were not strong enough to maintain the line of battle, and is mainly used as a convoy escort.
- Double-deck ships of the line with the number of guns from 64 to 90 represent the bulk of the fleet.
- Three- or Four-ships with 98-144 combat guns, played the role of flagships.Fleet containing 10-25 such ships can monitor trading line in the event of military action to block them for the enemy.
Differences battleships other
sailing equipment from frigates and battleships same - three-masted.Each is required to present direct sail.Nevertheless, the frigate and the ship line have some differences.The first has only one closed battery, and several battleships.In addition, the number of guns in the latter is much more as it comes and height.But frigates more maneuverable and can operate even in shallow water.
From galleon ship sails straight line is different.Furthermore, the latter do not have a rectangular tower on the stern and on the bow latrine.The battleship galleon and superior in speed and maneuverability, also in an artillery battle.The latter is more suited for boarding combat.In addition, they are often used to transport troops and supplies.
appearance of battleships in the Russian
Before the reign of Peter I of Russia did not have such structures.The first Russian ship of the line referred to as "Goto Predestination."To twenty years of the 18th century in the Russian Imperial Fleet was to have 36 such vessels.In the beginning it was a complete copy Western models, but by the end of the reign of Peter I, linear Russian ships began to have its own distinctive features.They were much shorter, had less shrinkage, which adversely affects the seaworthiness.These ships are very well suited to the conditions of the Sea of Azov, and then the Baltic Sea.Direct participation in the design and construction took the Emperor himself.Its name - the Russian Imperial Fleet wore navy from Russia 22 October 1721 on 16 April 1917.Naval officers could serve only come from the nobility, and the sailors on the ships - recruits from the common people.The service life of the Navy for them was life.
Battleship "Twelve Apostles»
«12 Apostles" was founded in 1838 and launched in 1841 in the city of Mykolayiv.This ship with 120 cannons on board.In total there were 3 Russian Navy vessel of this type.These ships were distinguished not only by its grace and beauty of forms, they had no equal in the battle among the sailboats.Battleship "12 Apostles" was the first part of the Russian Imperial Navy, who was armed with new guns bombicheskie.
fate of the ship has developed in such a way that he could not take part in any battle the Black Sea Fleet.His body remained intact and not yet received any holes.But this ship has become a model training center, it ensures the defense of Russian forts and fortresses in the West Caucasus.In addition, the ship engaged in the carriage of onshore landing and went into a long voyage for 3-4 months.Subsequently, the vessel was flooded.
Reasons for battleships lost their relevance
Regulation wooden ships of the line as the main force of the sea shaken because of the development of artillery.Heavy bombing guns easily penetrated a wooden board with bombs, stuffed with gunpowder, thereby inflicting serious damage to the ship and causing fires.If before the artillery did not represent much of a threat hulls of ships, the bombing guns could start at the bottom of the Russian battleships just a few dozen hits.Since that time, there was a question about the protection of structures made of metal armor.
In 1848, invented the screw propeller and relatively powerful steam engines, so wooden sailboats slowly began to leave the scene.Some ships were refitted and equipped with steam units.It was also released a few large ships with sails, their habit is called linear.
battleships of the Russian Imperial Fleet
In 1907, a new class of ships in Russia, they are called linear, or in abbreviated form - battleships.It armored artillery warships.Their displacement is between 20 and 65 thousand. Tonnes.If you compare the 18th century battleships and battleships, the latter have a length of 150 to 250 m. The arms have a weapon caliber from 280 to 460 mm.The crew of the battleship - from 1,500 to 2,800.They used to destroy the enemy ship as part of military compound and artillery support for ground operations.His name was given to the ships not only in memory of the line of the vessel, as due to the fact that they had to revive the line of battle tactics.
