GPM 0252 Shikishima

Shikishima was a Japanese battleship (the so-called predrednotem), the keel of which was laid in 1897, launched in November 1898, and commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy in January 1900. The length of the ship at the time of launching was 133.6 m, width 23.01 m, and the actual full displacement - 15,450 tons. The ship's top speed was up to 18 knots. The main armament at the time of the launch was 4 305 mm guns in two twin turrets, and the secondary armament included: 14 152 mm guns or 4 450 mm torpedo tubes. The ship was built at the British shipyard Thames Iron Works.

Shikishima, along with its twin Hatsuse, was created in connection with the experiences of the Japanese fleet from the war with China in 1894-1895. Shikishima was structurally based on the revised plans of the British Majestic-class battleships, but had very similar combat performance and naval characteristics. It was also very similar to Fuji-class ships, so it could operate with them in one group of battleships. Shikishima took part in the Japanese-Russian War of 1904-1905, entering the battles in the Yellow Sea and near Tsushima, where she was hit several times. After World War I, Shikishima was reclassified as a coastal defense battleship and used as a training ship. It did not take part in World War II, and was sold for scrap in 1948.