Tsukushi 1883
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| 筑紫 [Tsukushi] (ex-Arturo Prat) | Armstrong, Elswick, UK | 2.10.1879 | 11.8.1880 | 11.11.1880 // 16.6.1883 | TS 5.1906, sold 12.1909 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
1350 |
|
Displacement full, t |
1542 |
|
Length, m |
64.0 pp |
|
Breadth, m |
9.70 |
|
Draught, m |
4.40 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 HC, 4 cylindrical boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
2887 |
|
Max speed, kts |
16.5 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal 300 |
|
Endurance, nm(kts) |
5380(8) |
| Armour, mm | casemates: 25, deck: 10, CT: 13 |
|
Armament |
2 x 1 - 254/26 Armstrong 25-ton BLR, 4 x 1 - 120/32 Armstrong M, 2 x 1 - 76/19 9pdr Armstrong, 4 x 5 - 37/20 Hotchkiss Mk I, 2 - 350 TT |
|
Complement |
186 |
Project history: Similar in design to the Chinese Tchao Yung cruisers, Tsukushi was originally laid down for the Chilean Government as the Arturo Prat. The design was drawn up by Sir Edward Reed as an intermediate design between the Rendel gunboats and the Esmeralda. At the time of her completion her main armament was unmatched - except for the British Inflexible and Italian Duilio but the guns took about 2.5 minutes to load and fire. The reciprocating machinery and four cylindrical boilers propelled the vessels at an exceptionally high speed. Soon after her completion the war between Chile and Peru ended and the Arturo Prat was put up for sale and purchased in 1885 by the Japanese under the 1882 Programme. She was re-armed in 1898, the 9pdr and lpdr guns being replaced by a 12pdr QF and two 3pdr QF.
Modernizations: 1898: - 2 x 1 - 76/19, 4 x 5 - 37/20; + 1 x 1 - 76/40 Armstrong N, 2 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I
Naval service: Reclassified as gunboat in 1898. She was removed from the fleet list 25.5.1906 and served as a training ship until 21.12.1909 when she was broken up.
Tsukushi 1885
© Ivan Gogin, 2014