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Scotland to unveil memorial plaque to Varyag cruiser
STRANRAER /Scotland/, July 30 (Itar-Tass) - A memorial plaque to the legendary Russian cruiser Varyag /Viking/ will be unveiled Sunday in Lendelfoot, southwest Scotland.
It is here, on the floor of the Irish Sea that the warship -- that went down in history thanks to the feat of its crew in the Russian-Japanese war in the early 20th century -- found its last resting place.
A function devoted to Russia and the Varyag feat took place in Stranraer on Saturday. It was full of brotherly feelings between Russia and British sailors, who sang their most popular songs to the accompaniment of the Russian Navy orchestra conducted by Russian People's Artist Alexander Danilchenko.
The audience stood up as the singers began to perform the song paying tribute to the courage of the warship crew.
The unveiling of the memorial plaque is part of the all-Russian action to build a monument to the Varyag in 2007.
It is implemented with the support of presidential envoy in the Central Federal District Georgy Poltavchenko. The information sponsors of the action are the Itar-Tass agency, the Rossiya television channel and the Komsomolskaya Pravda publishing house.
As the war broke out between Russia and Japan, the Japanese gave an ultimatum to the Varyag cruiser and the Korietz gunboat to leave the Chemulpo harbor. On January 27, 1904, in the battle with 15 Japanese ships, the Varyag sustained heavy damage and was scuttled by its crew.
In 1905, the Japanese salvaged the Varyag, renamed it to the Soya and made it part of their fleet.
Russia bought out the vessel in 1916 and gave it the old name. In 1917, it was sent to England for repairs, but because of the revolution and the ensuing civil war the legendary ship was left to the mercy of fate and later sold to Germany for scrap metal.
In 1920, the Varyag hit reefs and sank as it was heading for dismantling.
A memorial to the Varyag was unveiled in South Korea in 2004, marking the 100th anniversary since its destruction in the Sea of Japan. Taking part in the ceremony was Itar-Tass Director General Vitaly Ignatenko.
itar-tass.com
