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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
officers took part in this instruction of their intended crews, and moreover 
became thoroughly acquainted with the peculiarities of iron-clad vessels. 
A special description of the sailing and exercising of these iron-clad 
boats, which was partly compiled during the year of 1864, was prepared. 
We shall not enter here into details, but will only mention the principal 
and most interesting results, and consequently we shall first give information 
relating to the sailing capabilities of the boats. 
According to the opinion of the commander of the squadron, founded on 
experience, the boats of our iron fieet, built for the sole object of coast 
defence (with the exception of the frigates w r hich can make longer voyages), 
are at least capable of appearing at the first requisition upon all points of the 
coast and generally upon the whole of the Baltic sea and adjacent waters, 
which opinion is highly satisfactory. During the trials of the sea-worthiness 
of the boats, special attention was directed to their buoyancy, speed, powers 
of turning rapidly, and to the efficiency of their machinery. Upon these 
points, in the absence of data, no special results were obtained, but partial 
observations were taken of the performances of the respective boats. Thus, 
in the floating battery “ Perveniec” want of sufficient buoyancy was noticed, 
but this, however, can be increased. The speed of the said battery was 
from 7 to 9 knots (12 to 16 versts), and the highest speed obtained was 
10| knots (19 versts). It required 6 to 6| minutes to turn her round in a 
circle of 150 fathoms diameter. Her engines were excellent. With regard 
to the monitors, it was observed that they possessed sufficient stability. 
Their speed was from 6 to 7 knots (10 to 12J versts), and the highest 
speed obtained was 9 knots. Their turning powers were excellent, only 
occupying 4 to 4J minutes in a circle of 60 to 65 fathoms diameter (equal in 
this respect to the efficiency of screw boats). Their engines were excellent. 
The next experiments and exercises were made on a system of a con¬ 
centrated cannonade, and on the mode of aiming and firing the guns placed 
in the turrets of the monitors, at the command of the captain stationed in 
his deck-house. 
Observations were also made relative to the compasses, and attention was 
drawn to the hygienic condition of the iron-clads. The cannonade was 
perfectly successful, and the preparations for battle were made with all 
necessary celerity. Thus the turret boat “ Koldun,” ten minutes after the 
alarm was given, notwithstanding the complication of the work, succeeded 
in completing her preparations for battle, weighed anchor and stowed it, 
loaded the gun, turned the turret in the proper direction, and fired the first 
shot, striking the centre of a small target measuring 4 fathoms x 3. The 
following shots were likewise successful:—Out of four shots made while the 
boat was in motion three struck the target at a distance of 3 to 4 cables' 
length (300 to 400 fathoms). In general it was found indispensable, after 
these experiments were made, to make additions and improvements in 
several parts. Kules for the disposition of the iron-clads for the defence of 
Cronstadt and regulations for sea evolutions were established at the same 
time, and the code of naval signals was revised and corrected.* 
* With this view a Commission was instituted, under the Presidency of Admiral Lichatcheff, 
one of the suite of His Imperial Highness, in which Commission, as representative of the War 
Department, was included a Member of the General Staff of Engineers. 
