Greek ironclad Vasilissa Olga

The Greek ironclad Vasilissa Olga (Greek: Βασίλισσα Όλγα) was purchased from Chile for the Royal Hellenic Navy in 1868. She was converted into a training ship in 1897 and scrapped in 1925.

For other ships with the same name, see Greek ship Vasilissa Olga.
Vasilissa Olga - Βασίλισσα Όλγα
History
Greece
Name: Vasilissa Olga
Namesake: Queen Olga
Ordered: 1868
Builder: Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste
Laid down: 1868
Launched: 1869
Commissioned: 1871
Fate: Scrapped, 1925
General characteristics (as built)
Type: Armored corvette
Displacement: 2,030 long tons (2,060 t)
Length: 294 ft 4 in (89.7 m)
Beam: 39 ft (11.9 m)
Draft: 19 ft (5.8 m)
Installed power: 1,950 ihp (1,450 kW)
Propulsion: 1 shaft, 1 steam engine
Sail plan: Barque rigged
Speed: 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Armament:
Armor:

Design and description

Vasilissa Olga's design was derived from that of the Austro-Hungarian broadside ironclads of the Kaiser Max class.[1] The ship had a length overall of 249 feet 4 inches (76.0 m) long, a beam of 39 feet (11.9 m) and a draft of 22 feet 8 inches (6.9 m) at deep load. The ship displaced 2,030 long tons (2,060 t) and was fitted with a single steam engine that drove one propeller.[2] The engine was rated at 1,950 indicated horsepower (1,450 kW) which gave her a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). For long-distance travel, Vasilissa Olga was fitted with three masts and was barque rigged. She carried 240 long tons (240 t) of coal.[3]

The ironclad was armed with a pair of 9-inch (229 mm) guns and ten 70-pounders, all of which were Armstrong rifled muzzle-loading guns. Vasilissa Olga had a complete waterline armor belt that was 5.9 in (150 mm) thick amidships and reduced to 3.9 in (99 mm) at her ends. Above the belt amidships was an armored citadel that was protected by 4.7-inch (119 mm) plates on all four sides.[1]

Construction and service

Vasilissa Olga, named for Queen Olga of Greece, was originally ordered by Chile[2] from the Austro-Hungarian shipbuilder Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino, but Greece took over the contract in December 1868. The ship was laid down in 1868, launched in 1869 and completed in 1871. She was rearmed in 1880 and was converted into a gunnery training ship in 1897. During this conversion, Vasilissa Olga was re-engined and her sailing rig was replaced by two military masts. She was scrapped in 1925.[1]

Notes
  1. "Greek Ironclads Olga and Georgios", p. 213
  2. Silverstone, p. 278
  3. "Greek Ironclads Olga and Georgios", p. 214

References
  • Gardiner, Robert, ed. (1979). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships: 1860–1905. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-133-5.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships: 1906–1921. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-907-3.
  • "Greek Ironclads Olga and Georgios". Warship International. Naval Records Club. X (2): 212–214. 1973. ISSN 0043-0374.
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1984). Directory of the World's Capital Ships. New York: Hippocrene Books. ISBN 0-88254-979-0.
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