Assar-i-Tewfik served with the Ottoman Empire as an ironclad coastal battery frigate. Originally recognized as "Ibrahmieh" and in service to Egyptian when launched in 1868, the vessel ended up as a transfer to the Ottoman Empire. She was completed in 1869.
Assar-i-Tewfik displacing at 4,690 tons and exhibited a length of 272 feet, a beam of 52.5 feet and a draught of 21 feet. Her main armament, concentrated near the funnel, consisted of 8 x 9" muzzle-loading main guns. For additional firepower, the ironclad also carried 2 x 87mm cannon and 2 x 63.5mm cannon. For protection, she held 8" at her belt. Her crew complement numbered 320. Assar-i-Tewfik's profile consisted of a three-mast approach with a smoke funnel mounted between the fore and main masts. The hull was rather conventional in its general shape with a pointed bow and rounded stern. Main armament was held in outboard barbettes to provide for the most optimal engagement angles while protecting the most critical running components of the ship. Propulsion for Assar-i-Tewfik became cola-fed boilers feeding compound engines. In total, this developed 3,560 horsepower. The vessel held a maximum speed of 13 knots in ideal conditions and her operational range was 1,845 miles. In 1891, her main guns were replaced with 2 x 8.3" guns.
Due to her design, Assar-i-Tewfik provided strong agile capabilities and could be completed at reduced size when compared to other ironclads of the period. When in service to the Ottoman flag, she was called to action against the Balkan League against Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Montenegro during the First Balkan War (1912-1913). After engaging Bulgarian forces near the Darndanelles, she took on damage. From there, she served until February 11th, 1912, where she ran aground in the Bosphorus near Podima and was given up by her crew.
Egypt (Ibrahmieh); Turkey
