The Russian ironclad battleship Ekaterina II was the lead ship of a class of Black Sea fleet ironclads constructed during the 1880s to counter the naval strength of the Ottoman Empire Armour protection followed contemporary practice, with a thick belt of compound armour along the waterline and heavily protected barbettes. Throughout the 1890s Ekaterina II served as a core unit of the Black Sea Fleet, participating in exercises and representing Russian naval power in regional waters. By the early twentieth century she was obsolescent. On 22 April 1912, the former battleship was formally reclassified as Stricken Vessel No. 3. and was expended as a torpedo target during training exercises conducted by the Black Sea Fleet

Russian Ironclad Battleship Ekaterina II
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