Berk-i Satvet or Berk (Torpedo Gunboat) 1907

[Arturo]

She was a torpedo gunboat but officially classed as a torpedo cruiser by the Ottoman Navy. Completed in Germany in 1907 and immediately transferred to Turkey along with her sister ship Peyk-i Sevket. Involved in both Balkan Wars and the First World War. Both ships survived until the 1950s.

Built at Krupps shipyard (Schiffs & Maschinenbau AG) Kiel in Germany. Ordered in 18.01.1903. Laid down in Feb 1906. Launched in 01.12.1906. Sea trials in 1907. Commissioned in Nocember 1907. Her sistership is Peyk-i Sevket.

Displacement; 775 ton (in 1907), 850 tons (when refitted in 1938). Dimensions; 80.1 m, beam; 8.4 m, draft; 4.6 m (260.5 x 27 x 9.5 ft). Iron hull (Krupp), Steam engine, two screws, Main engines; 2 VTE, 5100 ihp, 4 schulz boilers , Speed; 22 kts, Endurance; 3240 Nautical Miles at 10 Kts, Fuel; 244 tons of coal, crew; 125, Armament; 2 x 105 mm QF L/40, 6 x 57 mm, 2 x 37 mm, 3 x 450 mm TT.

On 13.11.1907 she came to İstanbul from Kiel, Germany, together with her sistership Peyk-i Sevket. During WW-I she fought against Russia in the Black Sea under command of German Admiral Wilhelm Souchon. Took part in bombardment of Novorossisk harbour. On 02.01.1915 damaged by a Russian mine in front of İstanbul Boğazı (Bosphorous). Two years later in 1917 returned to service.

Successful ships, but because of strong machinery deterioration and unsatisfactory maintenance to WWI beginning they substantially lost battle efficiency. Displacing only 770 tons and armed with just two 4.1inch (105mm) gun and eight smaller weapons as well as three 17 inch (405mm) torpedo tubes they can hardly be considered cruisers.

Despite modernisation in the 1930s both ships were obsolete by the time of World War II during which Turkey was neutral. In 1924 renamed as Berk by Turkish Navy. Modified by Gölcük Naval Shipyard in 1924-1925 and refitted. Served as a training ship for cadets.

Decomissioned in 1945. Scrapped between 1953-1955 in İzmit, Turkey.

Turkey 1921, S.G.?, Scott: 60.

Source: Ottoman Navy 1828-1923 by Bernd Langensiepen and Ahmet Guleryuz.