Kasuga. Source l'Illustration dated 16 January 1904
Nisshin. Source l'Illustration dated 16 January 1904
Crews embarking at Genua, Italy, Source l'Illustration dated 16 January 1904
With our thanks to Enrico
An item referred to the American newspaper New York Herald which supplied more details about the new Japanese cruisers Kasuga (1) and Nisshin.(2) Both ships left Genoa, Italy on 9th January for adjusting their compasses and returned then to the harbour where their complete crews came on board. The crew of the Kasuga consisted for the main part of Italians and of the Nisshin mainly British sailors. The engines were built under supervision of engineers of the firm Ansaldo and Armstrong. In the evening anchored both cruisers in the roads leaving the same night.
Notes
1. Italian Guiseppe Garibaldi-class armoured cruiser. Building ordered by Argentina on 23 December 1901, laid down by Gio. Ansaldo&C., Genoa-Sestri Ponente, Italy as San Mitra on 10 March 1902, launched on 22 October 1902, renamed Bernardino Rivadavia, bought by Japan on 30 December 1903, commissioned as Kasuga on 7 January 1904, training ship since later 1920s, disarmed and hulked becoming a barracks ship in 1942, sunk on 18 July 1945, salvaged and broken up in 1948. Earlier sale negotiations between Argentina and Russia failed because of the asked price.
2. Italian Guiseppe Garibaldi-class armoured cruiser. Building ordered by Argentina on 23 December 1901, laid down by Gio. Ansaldo&C., Genoa-Sestri Ponente, Italy as San Roca On 29 March 1902, launched as Marina Moreno on 9 February 1903, bought on 30 December 1903, commissioned as Nisshin on 7 January 1904, training ship since 1927, stricken on 1 April 1935, sunk while used as target in 1936, salvaged and reused as target on 18 January 1942. Earlier sale negotiations between Argentina and Russia failed because of the asked price.
