Klim Zhukov
In 1898, the far-sighted politicians of Nicholas II and the Tsar himself cleverly squeezed the Liaodong Peninsula with the port of Luyoshun (aka Port Arthur) from the allied China, whose territorial integrity we were supposedly going to protect. A short race to the Russo-Japanese War began.
Arthur, as an ice-free harbor, was supposed to be the main base of the Pacific squadron. Why did the city have to be turned into a 1st class fortress? Well, obviously, so that no one would offend the fleet from land.
And here the oddities began. The author of the first project was the brilliant successor of Totleben — Konstantin Ivanovich Velichko. He drew up a sensible plan for land and sea defense. From land, it was completely logical to occupy the commanding heights, excluding the shelling of the city and the fortifications themselves. The line of forts and batteries was impressive and its cost was estimated at 40 million rubles.
Velichko was told that it was too expensive. “Shrink it.”
Up to 15 million rubles. As a result, those very key dominating heights were not occupied, which later allowed the Japanese to shell our forts, which were located somewhat lower. And subsequently, to strike at the harbor using 229 mm. mortars and 150-120 mm. guns.
So, 15 million. Almost three times less than the original estimate. But by July 17 (30), 1904, 4.5 million had actually been given. Almost 10 times less than the original estimate. Instead of 770 guns and howitzers, it was planned to install about 540 barrels. In fact, by the beginning of the war there were 116 of them, 108 of which were in the maritime direction. Of the 6 forts, 2 were fully completed. Some of the fortifications were simply marked out on the ground.
The fortress was completed and armed in a hysterical manner during the war. They did a colossal amount, but it was physically impossible to build in 4 months what had to be built over 5 years.
And now we are counting.
The fortress was supposed to guarantee the free actions of the fleet, withstanding a year-long siege. 40 million for this purpose turned out to be too expensive. 15 million was just right, but in fact 4.5 million…
On February 23, 1898, Emperor Nicholas II approved the new shipbuilding “Program for the Needs of the Far East” developed by the Naval Ministry, which provided for the construction of five squadron battleships, 16 cruisers, two minelayers and 36 destroyers. In addition to the financial estimate of the Naval Ministry for 1898, which amounted to 67,500 thousand rubles, according to the personal highest decree of February 24, 1898, a “Special Credit” in the amount of 90 million rubles was additionally allocated for the needs of the “Program”.
6 squadron battleships “Tsarevich”, “Retvizan”, “Peresvet”, “Pobeda”, “Poltava”, “Sevastopol” cost the country (with sets of shells, fuel, property) about 70 million. And this does not include the cost of maintenance. The cruisers, including the senselessly lost Varyag, cost 34 million. And also the 2nd rank cruisers, mine cruisers, destroyers, mine transports, gunboats, auxiliary vessels came out to at least 40 million.
A total of 144 million, according to the most conservative estimates.
All this beauty perished, was interned or captured, without waiting for the arrival of the 2nd Pacific Squadron of Z.P. Rozhdestvensky, solely because of the breakthrough of land fortifications.
So far-sighted politicians saved 35 million to lose 144 million, and then the Baltic Fleet in almost full force, the cost of which is scary to even calculate.
Sergey Stankevich
