Funnels.
Shikishima 3
Hatsuse 3
Asahi 2
Mikasa 2

Little differences in rig have been purposely introduced; thus the Hatsuse is shorter-masted than the Shikishima, and the Asahi and Mikasa have their funnels differently placed, those of the latter being more amidships.

Also, instead of casemates, the Mikasa has her 6-in. battery protected by a continuous armoured wall. Essentially, however, the ships are sisters.

They were produced as follows:—

Shikishima,byThames Ironworks,launched1898.
Asahi,”Clydebank,”1899.
Hatsuse,”Elswick,”1899.
Mikasa,”Vickers-Maxim,”1900.

Although she differs considerably from the Shikishima in appearance, the Asahi is practically a sister ship, the sole points of difference being (1) funnels; (2) distribution of the 2½-pounders; (3) absence of a bow torpedo boat; and (4) mounting of the big guns. There are, of course, certain minor structural differences—such, for instance, as the fact that the Asahi has a slightly larger wardroom, and that this wardroom is a trifle further aft—but, generally speaking, for fighting purposes they are identical, save for the points of difference noted above. There are unseen differences of detail also, such as the thickness of the armour deck, but none of these affect the fighting value. There is a difference, too, in the coal carried, but coal capacity does not show to the eye.

The details of the Asahi, with those of the Shikishima and the British Formidable, are as follows:—

Asahi. Shikishima. Formidable.
Displacement 15,200 14,850 15,000
Material of hull steel steel steel
Length 400 ft. 400 ft. 400 ft.
Beam 75⅙ ft. 75½ ft. 75 ft.
Draught 27½ ft. 27¼ ft. 26¾ ft.
Guns—12-in. Four 12-in. Mark IX. for all
6-in. 14 14 12
3-in. 20 20 16
Smaller Six 3-pdrs. Six 3-pdrs. Twelve 3-pdrs.
Six 2½-pdrs. Six 2½-pdrs. Eight Maxims
Eight Maxims Eight Maxims
Torpedo tubes, submerged 4 4 4
” above water 0 1 0
Armour belt 9 ins. 9 ins. 9 ins.
 ”  at ends 4½ ins. 4½ ins. 3 ins.
 ”  deck 4 ins. 5 ins. 3 ins.
Lower deck 6 ins. 6 ins. 9 ins.
Casemates 6 ins. 6 ins. 6 ins.
Barbettes 14 ins. 14 ins. 12 ins.
Bulkheads 14 ins. 14 ins. 12 ins.
Armour material Harvey nickel, all three
I.H.P., forced 15,000 14,500 15,000
Boilers Belleville, all three
Speed (contract) 18 18.5 18
Coal (normal) (?) 1,400 700 900
Screws Two in all three

PLAN OF MIKASA.