[1] Petropavlovsk was considered to be seaworthy; her total crew numbered 680 officers and enlisted men.

[2] The ship was fitted with a horizontal return-connecting-rod steam engine[1] built by the Baird Works of Saint Petersburg.

[3] It drove a single four-bladed propeller using steam that was provided by an unknown number of rectangular boilers.

[3] The entire ship's side was protected with wrought-iron armor[2] that extended 5 feet 2 inches (1.6 m) below the waterline.

[6][7] On 13 September 1871, she collided with the Russian merchant ship Damrowsky off Reval, damaging the merchantman's rigging.