[jonascord]

Back in the 1880's, the Czar had a basically circular gunboat built, as an experiment. It had two huge guns, and all other machinery, stacks, bridges, was either under or over the path of the guns.

The theory being, that, with two propellers, it could literally turn in it's own length, spinning to fire quickly in any direction. It didn't work, being underpowered, uncontrollable and un-seaworthy.

On the sea bottom between Sweden and Finland? (Which was Russian until WW1?) Near Kronstad, the Czar's navy Base?

I can't be the only one who has heard of it.

[jonascord]

Russian Ironclad Novgorod.

[muawiyah]

http://forum.alexanderpalace.org/index.php?topic=812.0 ~ turbot design.

[Oztrich Boy]

Back in the 1880's, the Czar had a basically circular gunboat built, as an experiment. It had two huge guns, and all other machinery, stacks, bridges, was either under or over the path of the guns.

Built at Sevastopol for the Black Sea Fleet. At 100' beam too big to transit the internal river system, and the experiment of sailing them through the Mediterranean, Bay of Biscay, and North Sea would be better contemplayed than attempted.