The Last of the Rurik, 14th August, 1904; and The Battle of the Sea of Japan, 28th May, 1905

The opening years of this century witnessed a gradual build-up of tension between Japan and Imperial Russia due to the latter's expansionist policies in Asia. Once the Russian naval base at Port Arthur (China) was operational, a conflict became inevitable and Japan eventually seized the initiative and attacked Russian shipping there in February 1904. The War lasted just over a year, during which there were several large fleet actions including the Battle of Ulsan on 14th August 1904 where the Russian armoured cruiser Rurik was sunk after a four-hour fight. Of more international significance was the sensational battle of Tsushima, on 27-28th May 1905, at which the Russian fleet was practically annihilated by the Japanese who emerged from it as a major naval power.