Assar-i-Tewfik (1868)

Ironclad Coastal Battery Frigate

The Turkish ironclad battleship Assar-i-Tewfik was lost to a mine on February 12th, 1913.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 5/2/2019

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.

Specifications

Year:
1868

Status
Lost-in-Service

Complement
320 Personnel

Ship Class [ Assas-i-Tewfik ]
Ships-in-Class [ 1 ] :
Assar-i-Tewfik

Egypt (Ibrahmieh); Turkey

- Blue Water Operations
- Fleet Support
- Hunter
- Direct-Attack

Length:
272 ft (82.91 m)

Width / Beam:
53 ft (16.15 m)

Height / Draught:
21 ft (6.40 m)

Displacement (Surface):
5,500 tons

Boilers feeding compound engines developing 3,560 horsepower while driving 1 x shaft; 3 x Sailing masts.

Speed (Surface):
13 kts (15 mph)

Range:
1,603 nm (1,845 miles; 2,969 km)

8 x 9" ML main guns (replaced by 2 x 8.3" guns, 1891).
2 x 87mm cannons
2 x 63.5mm cannons

None.

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