SISOJ WIELIKIJ - ROSYJSKI PANCERNIK Z 1896 ROKU / BIEZUPRIECZNYJ, BLESTJASZCZIJ - ROSYJSKIE TORPEDOWCE Z 1902 ROKU

Sisoj Wielikij (Sissoi Veliky) was a Russian battleship (pre-dreadnought), the keel of which was actually laid in 1891, launched in June 1892, and entry into service took place in 1896. The vessel was 114 meters long with a width of about 21 meters. Full displacement reached approx. 11,500 tons, and the maximum speed was around 15-17 knots. The ship's armament included: 4 305 mm guns, 6 152 mm guns, and 12 47 mm rapid-fire guns. Sisoj Wielikij was the only ship of her class and the Admiralty Shipyard in Saint Petersburg was responsible for its construction. It was created as part of the fleet expansion program from 1881 and had quite similar characteristics and combat capabilities as the previous ship Tri Sviatitelia. The unit was built with logistical and organizational problems, and the ship itself was not free from design flaws that undermined its usefulness in battle. Despite this, as early as 1897, the ship was sent to the Mediterranean Sea to join the international forces to ensure a ceasefire between Greece and Turkey. In 1900 Sisoj Wielikij supported the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion in China. He took part in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, including the Battle of Tsushima in 1905. During its course, the battleship was badly damaged, and the day after the battle, the unit sank on May 28, 1905.