History of the Russian Navy: Exhibition of Varyag’s relics opens in Baltiysk

The rarities have been brought by plane of the military-transport aviation from Moscow. The exposition represents – the Jack (bow’s flag) of the cruiser “Varyag”, St. Andrew’s ensign of “Koreets” gunboat, as well as the Russian trade flag of the mail steamer “Sungari”, rifles of 19-20 cc., albums of Japanese watercolors, which illustrate the battle of “Varyag” and “Koreets”.

“Varyag” became a legend on January, 27 1904 after it had accepted its first and only battle with a Japanese squadron (totaling 15 ships) of the Japanese Imperial Navy. The offer to surrender without a battle was declined by the command. During an unequal fight “Varyag” managed to destroy 2 cruisers and sink one torpedo boat. However the damage of the Russian cruiser was fatal. In order not to make the cruiser the Japanese trophy, the crew of “Varyag” decided to sink it. Nevertheless they didn’t lower the St. Andrew’s flag for the enemy.