These were the _Hizen, Sagami, Suwo_, and _Iwami_. Their
value was not great, for the _Fugi_ had been launched as far back
as 1896. Nevertheless she carried 12-inch guns and displaced 12,300
tons. But her speed was only 17 knots at the most. She had been
built in England as had the _Asahi_ and _Shikishima_, which were
launched in 1900 and 1901. They also carried 12-inch guns and had
a speed of 18.5 knots. Their tonnage was 15,000. Admiral Togo's
former flagship, the _Mikasa_, was also of the predreadnought type,
having been built in 1900, and carrying a main battery of 12-inch
guns. Her speed was 18.5 knots.
Of the former Russian ships the rechristened _Iwami_ was of French
build, protected with Krupp steel armor to the thickness of 7.5
inches. Her displacement was 13,600 tons, and her speed 18 knots.
Like the other ships of this class in the Japanese navy, she carried
a main battery of 12-inch guns. The _Hizen_ was an American product,
having been built by Cramps in 1902. Her displacement was 12,700
tons, made a speed of 18.5 knots, was also protected with Krupp
steel and carried four 10-inch guns. She was a real veteran, for
she had undergone repairs necessitated by having been torpedoed
off Port Arthur and had been refloated after being sunk in later
action there. The _Sagami_ and the _Suwo_ had been built in 1901
and 1902. They displaced 13,500 tons, had a speed of 18.
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