On September 14, 1902, the newest II-class armored cruiser Novik left Kronstadt on a voyage to the Far East. By this time, relations between the Russian Empire and Japan had become very strained and it was necessary to quickly update and strengthen the Russian Pacific squadron. From the very first day of the Russo-Japanese War, Novik took an active part in the fighting. For the battle on January 27, 1904 near Port Arthur, the commander of the cruiser N. O. Essen was awarded a Golden Saber with the inscription “For Bravery,” and twelve Novik crew members received the Cross of St. George. On August 20, 1904, the cruiser was forced to take on the Japanese cruisers Tsushima and Chitose. During the battle, he received three hits below and two above the waterline. A little later, the commander, having familiarized himself with radio interception data about the approach of Japanese ships, ordered the cruiser to be scuttled. And at 23:30, near the Korsakov post on Sakhalin Island, the cruiser lay down on the ground...