The design was based on the American Passaic-class monitor, but was modified to suit Russian engines, guns and construction techniques.

They numbered 10 officers and 100 crewmen in 1877[1] The ship was fitted with a two-cylinder horizontal direct-acting steam engine[1] built by Carr and MacPherson of Saint Petersburg.

The ship carried a maximum of 190 long tons (190 t) of coal, which gave her a theoretical endurance of 1,440 nmi (2,670 km; 1,660 mi) at 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph).

These lacked the penetration power necessary to deal with ironclads and they were replaced by license-built 15-inch (380 mm) smoothbore muzzle-loading Rodman guns in 1867–68.

Unlike their predecessors, the Uragans were built without deck armor to save weight, but Bronenosets had 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) plates added after completion.

Bronenosets was reclassified as a coast defense ironclad on 13 February 1892 and turned over to the Port of Kronstadt for disposal on 6 July 1900, although she was not stricken until 17 August.

During 1903, the ship was converted into a coal barge by the removal of her turret, her side armor, and its wooden backing, and by the division of her hull into three holds.