Finnish Minesweepers BVA, BVB, BVC, BVD

[PT Dockyard]

I have seen these four boats in a few sources on the Finnish Navy. They were former Russian "Pike" class armored boats built before WW1



Did they actually serve in World War 2? If so, what modifications were made?

Thank you
Dave G

[Vaeltaja]

They seems to have belonged into the mismatch 'class' of ships of the Finnish Navy known as 'A veneet' or 'A boats' (most likely, just like with AV boats, it comes from 'apu' or 'auxiliary'). It consisted of several different types of smaller boats that Finns were left with after the WWI and the following Tarto peace treaty.

From 'Leijonalippu merellä' (p. 38): Russians had left total of ~ 70 smaller minesweepers and other smallish craft to Finland. All these were called with a common name of 'A-boats'. Though they were relatively new the harsh post-war (WW I) minesweeping caused severe wear and tear. Also in Tarto peace treaty 20 of these boats were given to the Soviets. By 1923 only 21 'A-boats' remained in the Navy Lists. Five of them were larger than the others and were refitted in 1920 to act as connection boats (liaison boats ? - ones shuffling men and equipment from coastal forts to mainland and so on, not sure of translation) - likely unarmed.

Boats had various names, A11-A45, BVA, BVC, BVD, MPS, B-2, AF-2, Haukka. They had only minor role in war time (talking about 1939-1945). Only two were serviceable when the post-WW II minesweeping began in the Baltic Sea (boats A-43 and BVA) but both were removed after the first minesweeping season due to wear and tear.

Reading through the lines it appears that at least A-11, A-12, A-19 and A-20 were 'larger ones'. They were loaned to Maritime Guard in 1930 and were returned in 1933. So it appears that BVA, BVC and BVD were not refitted and instead remained equipped as minesweepers. Armament is listed as 1x47mm gun or 1xMG.

[PT Dockyard]

Thank you! That helps!

[PT Dockyard]

I just ordered 'Leijonalippu merellä' as well. Looks like a great book.