Russian frigate Diana
 The wreckage of Diana, Illustrated London News, 1856. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Russian Empire
| |
| Name: | Diana |
| Launched: | 1853 |
| Fate: | Sank in December 1854 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Frigate |
| Propulsion: | sail |
Diana was a frigate of the Imperial Russian Navy. She was built in 1853, and was the flagship of the Russian explorer Yevfimy Putyatin when he visited Japan in 1854.[1]
Putyatin's fleet was damaged in a tsunami, following the powerful Ansei-Tōkai earthquake of 23 December 1854. Diana sank in the bay of Miyajima-mura (宮島村) (modern Fuji-shi, 富士市) while sailing from Shimoda to Heda for repairs.[1]
Three hundred Japanese carpenters worked with the Russian sailors to build a Western-style ship in two months, with the help of plans salvaged from Diana. They eventually built a two-masted schooner, named Heda, displacing 100 tons, with a length of 24 metres (79 ft).[1] The ship was named in honour of the Japanese city that helped with its construction.[1]