Article Posted on : - Jan 24, 2010

Russian cruiser Varyag which was laid down on October 1898.

BALTIISK (Itar-Tass): An exhibition of relics from the legendary cruiser Varyag opened in Baltiisk, the main base of the Russian Baltic Fleet.

The rarities were brought for the exhibition entitled "Cruiser Varyag: Uncovering of Relics", by plane from Moscow on Saturday.

Baltic Fleet seamen, Navy senior officers, Navy veterans and local residents, who attended the exhibition opening ceremony, were the first to see the jack flag from the Varyag and the ensign from the gunboat Korietz recovered from the sea more than 100 years ago and preserved for the descendants of the valiant Russian sailors.

The exhibition also includes the Russian merchant flag from the post ship Sungari, a rifle of 1879-1871, an album of Japanese watercolours showing the Varyag and the Korietz drawn by an artist who watched the battle, a replica of the cruiser, and other relics.

Baltic Fleet Commander, Vice-Admiral Viktor Chirkov stressed "the importance of demonstrating the symbol of military glory and honour from the Varyag and Korietz for the present generation of Navy Men".

The cruiser, which fought a Japanese squadron in the Korean port of Chemulpo, was sunk on February 9, 1904. A year later, the Japanese lifted it and put it back into service as their warship. In 1917, the cruiser was sent to England for an overhaul. In 1920, the cruiser ran into rocks while being towed to the junkyard and sank half a mile off South Scotland. In 1925, it was blown up to ensure the safety of navigation.