About the book: 2015 / On September 14, 1902, the newest II class armored cruiser "Novik" left Kronstadt on a campaign to the Far East. By this time, relations between the Russian Empire and Japan had become very strained and it was necessary to update and strengthen the Russian Pacific squadron as soon as possible. From the very first day of the Russo-Japanese War, Novik took an active part in hostilities. For the battle on January 27, 1904 near Port Arthur, the commander of the cruiser N. O. Essen was awarded a Golden Saber with the inscription “For Bravery,” and twelve members of the Novik crew received the Cross of St. George. On August 20, 1904, the cruiser was forced to fight with the Japanese cruisers Tsushima and Chitose. During the battle he received three hits below and two above the waterline. A little later, the commander, having familiarized himself with radio interception data about the approach of Japanese ships, ordered the cruiser to be scuttled. And at 23:30, at the Korsakov post on Sakhalin Island, the cruiser lay on the ground…