25. The Russian Navy’s Oops Moment
In 1874, the Russian Navy commissioned the Novgorod, a monitor ship with a controversial design: it had a round hull. It did not take long for the Russians to go “oops”, as the Novgorod went on to gain a reputation as one of the worst ships in history. Compared to a floating soup dish for its clumsiness, the 2500 ton vessel had six steam engines that drove six propeller screws.
On the plus side, the ship was largely immune to ramming – a common naval warfare tactic of the day – because it featured a 9-inch armored belt. Its round shape also deflected strikes, and its vital components were well inside the hull. It sported a pair of 11-inch guns, which were powerful for the era. Its shape and flat bottom also gave the Novgorod a draft of only 12 feet, allowing it to operate close to the coastline in shallow waters. However, as seen below, the Novgorod’s advantages were outweighed by serious disadvantages.
