London Times, 27 November 1907, p. 8: NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. (Excerpt) The Russian Ministry of Marine has issued a communiqué to the Press justifying the scheme submitted to the Council of Ministers for the purchase from Messrs. Vickers, Sons, and Maxim, at a cost of £400,000, of plans for two battleships of 20,000 tons. The vessels are to be constructed in Russian yards by Russian workmen under the supervision of British engineers. The £400,000 is to be forfeited if the vessels do not attain a speed of 21 knots.
Provided by Stephen McLaughlin