''Asia'' (Russian: ''А́зия'') was a

cruiser A cruiser is a type of warship. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and can usually perform several operational roles from search-and-destroy to ocean escort to sea ...

of the

Imperial Russian Navy The Imperial Russian Navy () operated as the navy of the Russian Tsardom and later the Russian Empire from 1696 to 1917. Formally established in 1696, it lasted until being dissolved in the wake of the February Revolution and the declaration of ...

. The ship was originally the Philadelphia-built iron merchant steamship ''Columbus'' completed in 1874 The iron passenger-cargo steamship ''Columbus'' was built 1873/74 in

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

William Cramp & Sons William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company (also known as William Cramp & Sons Ship & Engine Building Company) was an American shipbuilding company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1830 by William Cramp. During its heyday in late 19 ...

as Yard No.184 for local shipowner William P Clyde & Co. ''Columbus'' was bought by Russia in May 1878, one of three

merchant ship A merchant ship, merchant vessel, trading vessel, or merchantman is a watercraft that transports cargo or carries passengers for hire. This is in contrast to pleasure craft, which are used for personal recreation, and naval ships, which are ...

s purchased in the United States to be transformed into naval cruisers: ''State of California'' became ''Europa'', ''Saratoga'' became ''Afrika'', and ''Columbus'' became ''Asia''. After initial conversion by her builders, Cramp, in Philadelphia, she was sailed to Russia by a Russian crew for further outfitting in

Kronstadt Kronstadt (, ) is a Russian administrative divisions of Saint Petersburg, port city in Kronshtadtsky District of the federal cities of Russia, federal city of Saint Petersburg, located on Kotlin Island, west of Saint Petersburg, near the head ...

during 1878 and 1879. The cruiser saw initial duty in the Far East, but then returned to the Baltic. She was downgraded to Cruiser 2nd Class on 1 February 1892. The future Vice Admiral

Karl Jessen Vice Admiral Karl Johann Peter Jessen (, tr. ; 30 June 1852 – 30 November 1918) was a Baltic German admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy during the Russo-Japanese War. Biography Jessen was of Danish descent, born in Livonia, where his father ...

was her commanding officer in 1895 and 1896. In 1898 she received a new engine, increasing her power from to , and adding to her top speed. In August 1911, now rather obsolete, ''Asia'' was transferred to the reserve fleet. In October 1912 she was renamed ''Kaukas'' (Russian: "Кавказ"). Following the outbreak of the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, she was once again renamed ''Asia'' on 11 September 1914, assigned to the Baltic Fleet's transport squadron and used as a

minelayer A minelayer is any warship, submarine, military aircraft or land vehicle deploying explosive mines. Since World War I the term "minelayer" refers specifically to a naval ship used for deploying naval mines. "Mine planting" was the term for ins ...

. The ship was deactivated in May 1918 and scrapped in 1923.

References

External links

* http://www.neva.ru./EXPO96/arm/azia.html {{DEFAULTSORT:Asia Steamships of the United States Passenger ships of the United States Cruisers of the Imperial Russian Navy Naval ships of Russia World War I cruisers of Russia Ships built by William Cramp & Sons 1873 ships