HJMS Asamain 1900
The Japanese began recovering Varyag almost immediately after it had been scuttled at Chemulpo. The cruiser was lying on the left side, having sunk in sludge almost up to the centreline. Most of the ship was visible during the low tide.
Experts and equipment were brought from Japan in order to conduct the work. Lieutenant General Arai of the Naval Construction Corps was in charge of the ship lifting. After inspecting the cruiser lying on the seabed, he stunned the rear-admiral Uriu by telling him that his squadron “failed to sink a hopelessly inoperable ship during a whole hour.”
Arai then said that lifting and repairing the cruiser did not make any economic sense. However, Uriu ordered to begin the lifting operation. It was a matter of honour for him….
In all, over 300 skilled workers and divers were used in lifting operations, while the auxiliary work was done by up to 800 Korean coolies. More than 1 million yen had been spent on this lifting operation.
They removed boilers and guns from the ship, cut off smokestacks, ventilators, masts and other items of superstructure. Part of the personal belongings of the officers was sent to the local museum but Rudnev’s personal items were returned to him in 1907.
After that, the Japanese specialists built a caisson and pumped out all water. Varyag was brought up to the surface on 8 August 1905. In November the ship went to the Yokosuka shipyards for repairs escorted by two vessels.
Yokosuka
The major overhaul of the cruiser, which was renamed Soya took place from 1906 to 1907. Upon completion of the repair work the ship looked a lot different than before.
New passage bridges, the navigation room, smokestacks and ventilators had been built. Crow’s nests had been dismantled. The bow decoration had been replaced and the Japanese put in their unchanging symbol, a chrysanthemum. Boilers and armaments remained unchanged.
Upon completion of repair, Soya was enlisted as a training ship to a cadet school. It served 9 years in this new role and visited many countries.
World War 1 then broke out.
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