| BATTLESHIPS. | |||||
| Nominal | Gun | Weight of | |||
| Name | Displacement | I.H.P. | Speed | Protection | Broadside Fire |
| Hatsuse | 15,000 | 15,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,240 |
| Asahi | 15,000 | 15,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,240 |
| Shikishima | 15,000 | 15,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,240 |
| Mikasa | 15,200 | 16,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,225 |
| Yashima | 12,300 | 13,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,000 |
| Fuji | 12,300 | 13,000 | 18.0 | 14—6 | 4,000 |
| ARMORED CRUISERS. | |||||
| Tokiwa | 9,750 | 18,000 | 21.5 | 6—6 | 3,568 |
| Asama | 9,750 | 18,000 | 21.5 | 6—6 | 3,568 |
| Yakuma | 9,850 | 16,000 | 20.0 | 6—6 | 3,368 |
| Adzuma | 9,436 | 17,000 | 21.0 | 6—6 | 3,368 |
| Idzumo | 9,800 | 15,000 | 24.7 | 6—6 | 3,568 |
| Iwate | 9,800 | 15,000 | 24.7 | 6—6 | 3,568 |
| PROTECTED CRUISERS. | |||||
| Takasago | 4,300 | 15,500 | 24.0 | 4-1/2—2 | 800 |
| Kasagi | 4,784 | 15,500 | 22.5 | 4-1/2 | 800 |
| Chitose | 4,784 | 15,500 | 22.5 | 4-1/2 | 800 |
| Itsukushima | 4,277 | 5,400 | 16.7 | 11—4 | 1,260 |
| Hashidate | 4,277 | 5,400 | 16.7 | 11—4 | 1,260 |
| Matsushima | 4,277 | 5,400 | 16.7 | 11—4 | 1,260 |
| Yoshino | 4,180 | 15,750 | 23.0 | — | 780 |
| Naniwa | 3,727 | 7,120 | 17.8 | — | 1,196 |
| Takachiho | 3,727 | 7,120 | 17.8 | — | 1,196 |
| Akitsushima | 3,150 | 8,400 | 19.0 | — | 780 |
| Niitaka | 3,420 | 9,500 | 20.0 | — | 920 |
| Tsushima | 3,420 | 9,500 | 20.0 | — | 920 |
| Suma | 3,700 | 8,500 | 20.0 | — | 335 |
| Akashi | 2,700 | 8,500 | 20.0 | — | 335 |
New and Efficient
The table, it will be observed, does not include a number of coast defence vessels, nor—more important for offensive purposes—the torpedo flotilla, which is of great strength and of remarkable efficiency, and includes over a score of 30-knot destroyers of the most modern type. The first four battleships in the list were completed less than two years before the war, while the armored cruisers were built between 1899 and 1901. The protected cruisers include several of the vessels that defeated the Chinese fleet at the battle of the Yalu.
Japan's Dockyards
For the accommodation of her fleet Japan possesses four well-equipped dockyards, capable not only of repairing damaged vessels of any class, but of constructing new ones; and this is, perhaps, the greatest advantage which the island kingdom has over Russia in the present struggle.
Opposing Figures
The naval strength of Russia in the Far East at the outbreak of hostilities is shown in the tabular statement appearing on page [44], which, again, does not include vessels of the smallest class nor the torpedo-boat flotilla.
Russian Navy
It will be remarked that the Russian battleships offered a great variety in design and fighting power—a serious disadvantage, for in manœuvring the efficiency of the whole squadron sinks to the level of that of the least effective vessel it contains. The Czarevitch and the Retvisan, which were the latest vessels to arrive at Port Arthur, were also the most powerful members of the fleet. The former vessel was built in France after the latest French model, and the latter in Philadelphia. This fleet was divided, at the outbreak of war, between Port Arthur and Vladivostock, the four powerful cruisers, Gromoboi, Bogatyr, Rossia, and Rurik being stationed at the latter port.