Pre-dreadnought ‘Eustace’

Shipyard: Mykolaiv. Laid Down: 11th March 1904. Launched: 21st October 1906. Commissioned: 15th May 1911.

Both ‘Eustace’ and ‘John Chrysostom’ were the last two of the most powerful ships prior to the introduction of Dreadnoughts in the Black Sea Fleet. ‘Eustace’ took active service in WWI battles. In 1917 a Ukrainian organisation was founded on this ship, the members of whom were active participants in many Ukrainian manifestations (national demonstrations). In December 1917 the crew of the ship supported the Ukrainization of the Fleet. On the 29th April 1918 ‘Eustace’ raised the Ukrainian flag.

Cruiser ‘Eustace’, Spring of 1918

Displacement: 12,855 tonnes. Length: 117.9 metres. Beam: 22.6 metres. Hull: 8.2 metres.

Propulsion: 2 steam engines with triple expansion of 10,680 horsepower.

Max Speed: 16.6 knots. Complement: 28 officers and 900 seamen.

Armour: belt 244–152 mm, deck 76–38 mm, gun turrets 254 mm, casemate battery 152–127 mm, conning tower 229 mm.

Armaments. 4 guns – 305/40 mm, 4 guns – 203/50 mm, 12 guns – 152 mm, 14 guns – 75 mm, 4 machine guns and 4 torpedo tubes 457 mm.