Dvienadsat Apostolof Class

120-gun, 1s rate ships of the line: 12 Apostles, Paris, Grand Duke Constantine 1838-1855

The Dvienadsat Apostolov (12 apostles) were the largest and most modern ships of the line in the Russian Imperial Navy, at the Battle of Sinope and in its main consequence, the war of Crimea in 1853-55. There three sailing 120-gun three-deck ships of the line, all built in Nikolaev, from 1838 to 1852. They were the most advanced sailing ships of the Russian fleet of that time and had no equal in terms of combat qualities, while possessing beauty of form and elegance, an innovating in some aspects of naval construction. First post of the Crimean War’s main belligerents battlefleets.

Design of the class

Development

The class development went all the way back to 1835, with the Imperial decree from Tsar Nicholas I, in the context of a long standing war with the Ottoman Empire. In 1826–28, Nicholas fought however with another Empire for the most southeastern fringes of the Russian Empire, with the Russo-Persian War (1826–28), ended with Persia forced to cede its last remaining territories in the North Caucasus and South Caucasus (Today’s Georgia, Dagestan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan), with extraterritoriality to Russian subjects in Iran.

Next Russia fought a successful war against the Ottomans in 1828–29 but only obtained the indepdence of a small Greek state in the Balkans, still with limited Russian influence. In 1833, Russia negotiated the Treaty of Unkiar-Skelessi with the Ottoman Empire. It was however mistakenly believed there was in it a secret clause allowing Russia to transit warships through the Bosphorus, leading in response to the London Straits Convention of 1841, enforcing Ottoman control over the straits. This was a forerunner of what became the convention of Montreux, still applying today with the same result for modern Turkey. However Nicholas I was also mistaken, seeing the winds of 1848 revolutions in Europe, and believing he still could count on British diplomatic support. His forced attacked, turning into a declaration of war on Russia on 8 October 1853, by an Ottoman Empire which was equally confident in British support. On 30 November, Admiral Nakhimov surprised and completely obliterated the Ottoman fleet at Sinope. This was the major even that led to the Crimean war.

In between a new serie of ships of the line was worked on to prepare for a probable war with the Ottoman Empire and aimed at bringing Russian supremacy in the Black sea. Among the ships concerned were the Tri Sviatitelia, which also took part in the Battle of Sinope. The three 120-guns ships were in reality designed in a flexible way, in order to be reconverted as 140-guns ships of needed. They were designed by I. D. Vorobyov. The shipmaster was S. I. Chernyavsky in 1838.
They had been ordered after submission of the design on September 26 (October 8), 1835, when Emperor Nicholas I approved the composition of the Black Sea Fleet, includinh those three first-rank “battleships”.

The lead ship was “12 apostles”, laid down by October 4 (16), 1838, and launched on June 15 (27), 1841. The second in class was “Paris” started on June 18 (30), 1847, Launched on October 23 (November 4), 1849. ‘Grand Duke Constantine’ was the last, started on May 7 (19), 1850, launched on September 29 (October 11), 1852. Parizh (“Paris”) was not an hommage to the French City, but rather a reference to the fall of Paris to the Russians (and others), the entry of Russian troops into Paris on March 18 (30), 1814, after the defeat of Napoleon. It should be noted that a later Imperial battleship dreadnought after the 1917 revolution was renamed “Paris Commune”, this time in honor to the revolutionary commune at the end of the siege by the Prussians, crushed by the new Thiers Government.

Hull and general design

Dimensions

There are no surviving original plans of the class, but here is a profile of “Grand Duke Constantine” battle damage after Sinope.

The ship’s displacement was 4,790 tons (on average), with a length between perpendiculars was 63.6 meters, length along the gundeck 64.6 meters, width 18.1 meters, and draft was 7.7 meters. There are diverging dimensions given. “Paris” displacement was the same as were her dimensions. “Constantine” had the same as well they all came from the design designers, plans and yard of Nikolaiev. However divergences were noted, 4,789.98 up to 4,790 tonnes empty and 2,848.40 tons fully loaded, a length between perpendiculars ranging from 64.36 to 63.6 meters, and a length along the gundeck of 63.63 to 64.6 meters, a width without planking of 17.63 meters, and with protective planking of 18.14 meters, as well as a depth of hold of 8.38 meters, but the same draft of 7.7 meters for all three.

Keel & counter-keel

The keel consisted of two rows of oak trees, with upper ones connected with horizontal locks in an overlay, the lower ones with vertical locks on tenons and fastened with wooden cokes, soaked in hemp oil. Such design was proposed in 1833 by Oliver Lang. To achieve maximum strength, tarred paper was laid in the joints of the keel locks, and liquid hot resin was poured into the nests.

The keel consisted of 11-12 oak beams over 59.06 meters, with its width varying from 0.53 meters (midship frame) to 0.46 meters (bow) and 0.41 meters (stern).
Its height was 0.64, 0.81 and 0.97 meters, respectively. At the upper edge of the keel, a groove was dug in for subsequent insertion of the external copper sheathing, in the shape of an equilateral triangle, in cross-section. Each side was equal in thickness to the sheathing board.

Under the keel was a false keel, equal in width and 0.152 meters high. It was composite, with joints located between the locks of the lower row of the keel. The fastening of the false keel to the main keel was intentionally weak, so that when it she grounded hard, it would come off, thereby protecting the former from damage. In addition, this false keel helped to stabilize her further.

Construction of “12 apostles”

Hull bracing and sheathing

For the first time in Russian shipbuilding, the “Twelve Apostles” (as her sisters) used the hold fastening system designed by engineer of W. Simonds, making it possible to reduce her displacement but increase her strength. It constituted in the wooden riders and braces being replaced by iron ones, making up the main part of the diagonal framing. Unlike earlier ships having a traditional quadrangular stern, they had for the first time an elliptical stern with two hanging balconies. The result was far better exit hull lines, and thus less drag. Below the waterline the hull covered by 5,300 copper sheets each 1020 × 356 mm (40 x 14 in) in size for 1.6 mm thick (0.06 in).

External Apperance

The crew of the Dvienadsat Apostolov class vessels comprised from 980 up to 1,000 crew, most affected to the numerous guns onboard. Their exterior was designed in an relatively austere, laconic style, with just heraldic double-headed eagles on the bow and stern as carved decorations. Her design reflected a new understanding of sobriety in stark contrast to the abundance of decorations seen as stuck in the past. It showed modernity and functionality and that auster looks made them even more intimidating. The unique manufacturing style was manifested only in unusual curved line for the taffrail.

The stern was of course more decorated, with carved garlands of scrolls plus acanthus leaves, the side galleries contained carved figures of dolphins, volutes, balusters and bunches of acanthus leaves on the lower shells. Heraldic double-headed eagles with gilded claws, beaks and crowns were placed on the bow and stern. A “fake gold” was used in some part, but otherwide tar-based black paint all-around. It was understood this was perhaps a bit too austere for ships of this stature and price, but a rational choice for decorations exposed to weathering, seawater and battle damage.

At the same time and in compensation, interior decoration were lavish. They were so luxurious that some officers compared these to the decoration of imperial yachts. Thes emade perfect flagships for the black sea fleet, that they were. The salon had a marble fireplace and Turkish carpets hung in the galleries, the admiral’s and captain’s cabins were decorated with mahogany, fans were installed in all officer cabins and a distant ancestor of air conditioning. It was useful in the harsh summers in the region.

Protection

The three ships of the line had a thick “wooden armour” typical of their time. As decribed above in dimensions, the basic protective “internal” hull was “only” 17.63 meters wide (58 feet) and with protective planking, 18.14 meters (60 ft). These two feet (60 cm) of extra wood were this protection. It was composed of sandwiched layers or extra-hard and soft wood to stop (out layer of teak) and absorb splinters for the internal part. Planking was laid in an alternative vertical-horizontal way. They formed an outer wall supported by extensions of the hull at the waterline, up to the open deck. Damage below the waterline was unheard of, but in case they had a large pump in their hold, manned by two. In battle order, to avoid raking fire, extra wooden panels were installed in a transverse way from the aft gallery’s end to the prow, protecting the three battery decks.

I.K. Aivazovsky “The Twelve Apostles”

Armament

The ship’s armament, according to various sources, consisted of between 120 and 124 guns, albeit there was a provision to modify them and have 140 guns. Most sources agrees on twenty-eight 68-pounder “howitzers” (French: Bombarde, firing Paixhans explosive shells) on the lower gun deck due to their sheer weight, then seventy-two 36-pounder cast iron guns on the mid-deck and fore-deck, plus twenty-four 24-pounder carronades on the forecastle and quarterdeck.
According to other sources these were thirty-two 68-pounder bomb guns, then thirty-eight 36-pounder cast iron guns, then thirty-four 36-pounder, and twenty-four 24-pounder gun-carronades, two 24-pounder, twelve 12-pounder and two 8-pounder carronades as well as two 10-pounder cast iron “unicorns” for landing parties. In option they had also four 3-pounder falconets.

The most powerful of these guns installed on the ship were the 68-pound bomb cannons developed in the 1830s. They could fire both conventional solid cannonballs and explosive shells of the Paixhans type (1823). They were cast at the Olonets Alexandrovsky Plant in 1839-1841, based on the British guns purchased for the steamships of the Caucasian Corps “Colchis” and “Jason”. With trained artillery crews, they could fire at a rate of 2 rounds per minute
The Russian Navy was the first to use these guns extensively in combat. At Sinop in 1853, they annihilated a Turkish fleet with these Paixhans-based explosive shell guns. They penetrated deep inside the wooden planking of Turkish ships, exploding and igniting fires inside, often also igniting powder charges stackes close to the guns. Thuise crushing victory convince the naval powers of explosive shell frightening efficacy, hastening the development of the ironclad to counter it. So the 12 Apostle class, which concentrated more of these guns than any other ships at the time and destroyers probably more Turkish ships that the rest of the fleet, had an historical significance.

The “Twelve Apostles” was laid down on the slipway of the Nikolaev Admiralty on October 4 (16), 1838. On October 28 (November 9) she was officially named “Twelve Apostles”, launched on June 15 (27), 1841 for Russian Black Sea Fleet. The team behind comprised Naval Engineer Lieutenant Colonel S. I. Chernyavsky, interpreting the drawings from his superior Colonel I. D. Vorobyov. The drawings were compiled in 1837. It was supervised by the Chief Commander of the Black Sea Fleet M. P. Lazarev, contributing to many innovations adopted from British specialists. Construction was carried out with the highest priority by his personal order and a selection of building materials was reserved for them. Timber procurement and the use of closed slipway made it possible to significantly increase their service life, albeit in realty operations proved their career short.

In May 1842, she sailed from Nikolaev to Sevastopol and took part, unlike the others, in the 1842 and 1843 campaigns of the Black Sea Fleet, from June to August she carried the 13th Division from Sevastopol to Odessa, and back. From 1844 to 1847 and 1849 to 1852, she sailed for independent practical and cruising trips, or as part of the squadrons. In 1845, she took part in a review by Nicholas I, held every 7 years. Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich spent almost the entire summer on board the “Twelve Apostles”. She visited her again in the summer of 1850. Thius was immortalized by Imperial marine artist I. K. Aivazovsky. In the campaign of 1852 she became flagship for P. S. Nakhimov, just appointed commander of the 5th naval division.

In the campaign the following year in 1853, May to August, she took part in many exercises, including on June 29 a training battle and on August 10 in a race between ships of the line, then a training attack of the Sevastopol roadstead on August 12. From September 17 to October 2 she carried troops from Sevastopol to Sukhum-Kale (1,466 soldiers from Belostok Infantry Regiment, 13th Division.

She took part in the Crimean War, from October 29, 1853, as part of Vice-Admiral V. A. Kornilov’s squadron, searching for the Turkish fleet off the Rumelian and Anatolian coast and she was transferred to P. S. Nakhimov’s squadron in Sevastopol, back on November 11. Due to a leak, she remained in Sevastopol, Nakhimov taking another flagship, and she missed the battle of Sinop, in repairs. Aftrwards she joined the defense of the Sevastopol roadstead against a superior Anglo-French squadron. At the time, many of her guns were removed and transferred to strengthen the coastal artillery.

In January 1855 her crew even built a coastal battery also named “Twelve Apostles”. P. S. Nakhimov made her his flagship again. On April 4 she was deployed across the roadstead, near the Gollandiya gully. By December almost all of her guns had been transferred to the coastal batteries, she kept only 80 sailors. On December 18, by order of Nakhimov, she hosted a temporary hospital.
On February 6, 1855, she was ordered to be towed and scuttled. It was done in the night of February 13-14 between the Nikolaevskaya and Mikhailovskaya batteries under 17.4 meters. Also were scuttled Svyatoslav, and Rostislav. She sank deep into the silt and when clearing out the Sevastopol Bay in the autumn of 1861, there was a first unsuccessful attempt to raise her and she was instead blown up. A few items were raised.

The ‘Paris’ was laid down on June 18 1847 at Spassky Admiralty, launched on October 23, 1849, entering later the Black Sea Fleet, built under supervision of Chernyavsky and Vorobyov. The following year in 1850, she moved from Nikolaev to Sevastopol. She took part in the campaigns of 1850, 1851 and 1852 and cruising trips. In 1852 her commander was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir. In July-August 1853 she took part in a alarge training attack on the Sevastopol roadstead. From September 17 to October 2 she was part of Vice-Admiral P.S. Nakhimov’s squadron, carrying 1,483 soldiers and officers of the Volynsky Regiment to Cum-Cale. In the Crimean War from October 29 under Vice-Admiral V. A. Kornilov, she took part in the search for the Turkish fleet and later she returned to Sevastopol. She was back at sea under Rear Admiral F. M. Novosilsky to reinforce Nakhimov’s squadron blockading the Turkish fleet in Sinop.

Four days later the squadrons joined up and she took part in the Battle of Sinop, at the head of the left column under command of F. M. Novosilsky. With “Empress Maria” she shelled battery No. 5, blasted the corvette “Gyuli-Sefid” and frigate “Damiad”, then finished off the drifting flagship frigate “Auni-Allah” and the frigate “Nizamiye”, all washed ashore in flames. In his report to the Emperor, Vice-Admiral P. S. Nakhimov noted the actions of Paris with these words:
“One could not get enough of admiring the beautiful and cold-bloodedly calculated actions of the ship Paris.”
During four hours of Battle she fired 3,952 shots and had one man killed, 18 wounded, she had 16 holes and stern, latrine and gon-deck damage.
For distinction, Captain 1st Rank V. I. Istomin was promoted to rear admiral on November 28.

After the battle on November 22, she was back at Sevastopol. In January 1854, her crew built the coastal battery “Paris” with part of her guns. In April, she was relocated in the roadstead in the area of ​​Kuriynaya Balka and then between the fourth and Pavlovskaya batteries, left with 214 crew members and 82 guns. After the sinking of Svyatoslav, Rostislav and Dvenadtsat Apostolov in the roadstead on 13 February she remained in Sevastopol as part of a detachment of six combat-ready man-o-war of the Black Sea Fleet alongside Chesma, Velikiy Knyaz Konstantin, Empress Maria, Khrabry and Yagudiil. On August 28 she was scuttled in the Sevastopol roadstead as the garrison abandoned the city. After the war, during the clearing metal parts were salvaged anf the hull blown up.

The “Grand Duke Konstantin” was named in honor of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, General Admiral of the Russian fleet and the younger brother of Emperor Alexander II. She was laid down on May 7 (19), 1850 on Spassky Admiralty slipway, Nikolaev, launched on September 29 (October 11 Western calendar), 1852, and entered the Black Sea Fleet, built under supervision of Chernyavsky and Vorobyov. This was the last wooden sailing ship built by this team. In July 1853, the Velikiy Knyaz Konstantin from Nikolaev to Sevastopol, to have her artillery installed. In the campaign of 1853, she set sail for the Black Sea for seagoing and gunnery tests, and during a training attack on the Seavastopol roadstead on August 12 she was with the defenders. From September 17 to October 2 in the squadron of Vice-Admiral P. S. Nakhimov, she carried 1,437 soldiers and officers of the Belostok regiment, 13th division, from Sevastopol to Sukhum-Kale.
In the Crimean War from October 29 1853 she became flagship, Vice-Admiral V. A. Kornilov, searching for the Turkish fleet off Rumelian and Anatolian coast. She returned to Sevastopol on November 11 but was at sea the following day under Rear Admiral F. M. Novosilsky to reinforce P. S. Nakhimov’s squadron blockading the Turkish fleet in Sinop. On November 16 the Battle of Sinop commenced.

The “Grand Duke Constantine” was on the right column, closest to the enemy with Empress Maria and Chesma, following the former, behind which she dropped anchor. Together with Chesma, she concentrated fire on the frigate Navek-Bahri, until her complete destruction. She then switched to coastal battery No. 4, covered the left flank of the Turkish battle line. Then she engaged the frigate Nesimi-Zefer and corvette Nedzhemi-Feshan, which ran ashore, in flames. For four hours fired 2,466 shots (other source 2,602 shots) but received a few, with 8 crew members killed, 26 wounded (later 30 holes in the masts were discovered). Turkish marksmen were good.
For distinction in that battle, the commander, Captain 2nd Rank L. A. Ergomyshev was promoted to Captain 1st Rank and awarded the Order of St. George, IV degree, for 18 naval campaigns. Post battle from November 22 she was back to Sevastopol, towed part alongside the steam frigate “Odessa” for repairs. In December she was relocated at the entrance to the Southern Bay, and from April 1854, the Chief of Staff of the Black Sea Fleet, Vice-Admiral V. A. Kornilov, used her as flagship. On October 2 she returned to the roadstead at Kurina Balka. In December she became flagship for Vice-Admiral P. S. Nakhimov. By January 1855, only 337 crew members and 90 guns remained. After the sinking of Svyatoslav, Rostislav and Dvenadtsat Apostolov on the roadstead on 13 February 1855 she remained in Sevastopol as part of a detachment of six combat-ready ships with Chesma, Empress Maria, Khrabry, her sister Paris and Yagudiil. On 1 July her flasg was lowered for the funeral of P.S. Nakhimov and a salute fired. On 28 August she was sunk in the Sevastopol roadstead as the garrison left the city. After the war her useful remains were raised and the hull was blown up to clear the way and left to rot.

Read More/Src

Books

Veselago F. F. List of Russian military ships from 1668 to 1860. — St. Petersburg: Printing House of the Marine Ministry, 1872.
Veselago F. F. General naval list from the foundation of the fleet to 1917. — St. Petersburg: “Atlant”, 2013.
Mirgorodsky A. V. Crimean War on the Sea of ​​Azov. — M.: International Relations, 2021. — 600 p.
Okorokov A. V. Collection of underwater cultural heritage sites of Russia. Part 1. The Black and Azov Seas.M.: Institute of Heritage, 2016.
Chernyshev A. A. Russian sailing fleet. Handbook. — M.: Voenizdat, 1997. — Vol. 1. — 312 p. — (Ships and vessels of the Russian fleet).
Shirokorad A. B. 200 years of the Russian sailing fleet / Ed. A. B. Vasilyeva. — 2nd ed. – M.: “Veche”, 2007.

Links

ru.wikipedia.org 12 apostles
https://ru.wikipedia.org Pariszh 1849
ru.wikipedia.org/ grand duke constantine
ru.wikipedia.org battle of sinope