Transport ships of USSR in 1941-1945 - any info!!

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BIGpanzer
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#181

Post by BIGpanzer » 07 Mar 2006, 20:35

I continue my list....

II. Soviet ships, were abandoned in Soviet ports because of their technical condition (under repair, etc.) and were captured by German forces.

Latvian Shipping Company (LGMP) - almost all were previous Latvian ships. They had the same names in Soviet merchant navy.
1 "Amata", steamer, 1132 t, captured by German torpedo boats near Ventspils 27.06.1941
2 "Auseklis", steamer, 1700 t, Liepaja 27.06.1941
3 "Velta", steamer, 3100 t, «Âåëòà», Liepaja 27.06.1941
4 "Venta", steamer, 2830 t, Liepaja 27.06.1941
5 "Kaja", 244 t, Liepaja 27.06.1941
6 "Kandava", steamer, 2480 t, captured by German torpedo boats near Ventspils 27.06.1941
7 "Kuldiga", steamer, 2600 t, captured by German torpedo boats near Ventspils 27.06.1941
8 "Mole", steamer, 117 t, Elgava 27.06.1941
9 "Ogre", steamer, 416 t, Liepaja 27.06.1941
10 "Rauna", steamer, 3100 t, Liepaja 27.06.1941
11 "Riga", 1207 t, Riga 27.06.1941
12 "Spidola", steamer, 4650 t, Liepaja 27.06.1941
13 "Neptunas", cargo-passenger steamer, 191 t, Elgava 27.06.1941
14 "Ilga", cargo steamer, Ladoga 09.09.1941

Estonian Shipping Company (EGMP) - almost all were previous Estonian ships. They had the same names in Soviet merchant navy.
15 "Aarne", steamer, 2500 t, Ventspils 27.06.1941
16 "Arno", 187 t, Loksa August 1941. According to another source - the ship was sunk by German bombers 17-18.08.1941 during the navigation from Loksa to Leningrad.
17 "Viire", cargo-passenger steamer, 163 t, Moonsund September 1941
18 "Kalevipoeg", cargo-passenger steamer, 504 t, Loksa 09.08.1941
19 "Mirilind", sail-motor ship, 500 t, Ventspils 27.06.1941
20 "Salmi" (VT-588), cargo steamer, 180 t, Tallinn 28.08.1941
21 "Saturn", steamer, 850 t, Tallinn 28.08.1941
22 "Tormilind", diesel ship, 600 t, Vormsi September 1941
Last edited by BIGpanzer on 17 Mar 2006, 01:36, edited 1 time in total.

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#182

Post by BIGpanzer » 08 Mar 2006, 02:31

Some additional info of Soviet-built universal ships of "Elpidifor"-type.

The following was used as mine-sweeper during WWII (Black Sea Navy):

T-512 (till .01.1922 - "Elpidifor N 418", till 31.07.1937 - "Vasily Fomin", till 29.06.1941 - "Valery Chkalov", since 24.03.1942 - "KS-1")
1795 t, 74.7 õ 10.4 õ 2.4 m, 2 x steam engines 700 hp total, 7.5 knots, 1 õ 76.2mm + 5 õ 45mm + 1 õ 2 õ 7.62mm + 2 õ 1 õ 12.7mm MGs.
Laid down in 1917, launched in 1918, accepted 22.07.1922 as oil tanker, since 1927 was used as cargo steamer. Mobilized 22.06.1941 and reequipped as mine-sweeper. Accepted by Black Sea Navy 08.07.1941 (side number N 64). Since 24.03.1942 - cable-laying ship.

Also four were used as gun-boats during WWII (previous "Elpidifor"s N 413, 414, 416, 417) - I will post the info about them tomorrow.


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#183

Post by BIGpanzer » 08 Mar 2006, 15:46

Universal/landing ships of "Elpidifor"-type as gun-boats during WWII (Black Sea Navy).
http://sovnavy-ww2.by.ru/gunboats/pic/elpidifor_ld.jpg
http://flot.parus.ru/images/pic00203.jpg

Specifications: 1400 t, 74.67x10.36x3.1-3.6 m, 2 steam engines 750 hp total (since 1943 - oil-fuel instead of coal for "Krasnaya Abkhazia"), 8 knots, 2300 miles, 169 men.
Armament in 1942-1944: 3x130mm + 2x76,2mm + 2x45mm + 2x37mm + 5x12.7mm + mines (380 mod.1908/1912 or 220 mod.1916 or 180 mod.1926 or 900 type "R") + 2 mine-sweeps. "Krasnaya Armenia" didn't have AA guns.
It could also transported in holds/on deck - 2 torpedo boats, 4 airplanes, 6 light tanks, 2000 soldiers, 4 heavy howitzers, 12-16 field guns, 10 tractors, 7-9 trucks, 11 cars.

1. "Krasnaya Abkhazia" (till 15.09.1918 - T-313, till 20.12.1923 - "Elpidifor N 413", since 28.03.1947 - "Kursograf", since 15.09.1949 - "Ingul").
Laid down 16.11.1916 (Nikolaev Shipyard "Russud") as mine-sweeper; launched 16.05.1920; since 04.06.1920 - gun-boat (in service - since 11.10.1920); through repairs/reequipment in 1934-1935, 1940-1941 and 1943.
Participated in Feodosia-Kerch landing operation 25-26.12.1941; in January-September 1942 - transported soldiers and military cargos between Caucasus and Kerch (lightly damaged by German bombs 02.07.1942 at Anapa port); 17.07.1942 - mined sea near Anapa with 150 mines together with three mine-sweepers; 23.09.1942 - lightly damaged by German bombs during navigation; 04.02.1943 participated in Ozereika-Stanichka landing operation as landing ship and was damaged by artillery fire; till the end of WWII transported soldiers and military cargos, awarded with Red Banner order.
Removed from service 28.03.1947, disarmed and reequipped into hydrographic ship; since 25.06.1949 - cable-laying ship; scrapped in 1959.

http://sovnavy-ww2.by.ru/gunboats/pic/abhazia.jpg (photo of WWII period)
http://warships.ru/MK-Landing_Ships/MK- ... bhazia.jpg (excellent picture, gun-boat in 1920)


2. "Krasny Adzharistan" (till 15.09.1918 - T-314, till 20.12.1923 - "Elpidifor N 414", since 06.03.1947 - blokshiv N 1, since 16.05.1949 - BSh-6).
Laid down in 1916 (Nikolaev Shipyard "Russud") as mine-sweeper; launched in 1920; accepted by Black Sea Navy as gun-boat 04.06.1920; through repairs/reequipment in 1934-1935.
In June 1941 - gun-boat of separate division of gun-boats of Odessa naval base (captain - commander V.M. Pokrovsky); 24.06.1941 - mined sea near Odessa; 07.07.1941 - mined sea near Bugaz by 120 mines; 29.07.-02.08.1941 made two navigations between Odessa-Kerch, escorting floating docks; 13.08.1941 supported marines by artillery fire; 15.08.1941 lightly damaged by Terman bomb; 19-27.08.1941 supported marines by artillery fire; transported wounded soldiers; 09-10.1941 - several navigations with landing troops between Odessa-Sevastopol; 25-26.12.1941 participated in Feodosia-Kerch landing operation (as the part of landing unit "B"); 14-16.01.1942 participated in Sudak landing operation, transporting 580 marines; 04-05.02.1943 - participated in Ozereika-Stanichka landing operation as landing ship; transported soldiers and military cargos between Caucasus and Kerch till the end of WWII.
Removed from service as warship 27.09.1945, disarmed and reequipped into tender; since 06.03.1947 - accomodation ship; scrapped in 1951.

3. "Krasnaya Armenia" (till 05.02.1925 - "Elpidifor N 416", till 31.10.1939 - "Krasny Krym").
Laid down in 1917 (Nikolaev Shipyard "Russud") as mine-sweeper T-316; launched in 1920; was given to the Ministry (Commissariat) of Transport in unfinished condition 23.07.1921; accepted by Black Sea Navy as mine-sweeper 15.11.1924; since 22.06.1926 - mine-layer; since 15.06.1928 - gun-boat; through repairs/reequipment in 1939-1940;
In June 1941 - gun-boat of separate division of gun-boats of Odessa naval base (captain - lieutenant-commander N.A.Kadygrobov); 24.06.1941 - mined sea near Odessa; escorted convoys, transported ammunition; 12.08-04.09.1941 - supported marines by artillery fire at Ochakov and Odessa;sank by German bombers 21.09.1941 near Tendra bank during navigation Sevastopol-Grigorievka with landing troops, only 6 men were rescued.
Raised in parts in 1949 by rescue service of Black Sea Navy and scrapped.

http://www.sadko.mk.ua/uwater/frunze/bs ... armeny.jpg (photo of WWII period)

4. "Krasnaya Gruzia" (till 13.09.1924 - "Elpidifor N 417", till 12.1925 - TShCh N 23).
Laid down in 1917 (Nikolaev Shipyard "Russud") as mine-sweeper T-317; launched in 1922; accepted by Black Sea Navy as mine-sweeper 30.10.1923; since 18.03.1926 - mine-layer; since 28.06.1928 - gun-boat; through repairs/reequipment in 1925-1926, 1938.
In June 1941 - gun-boat of separate division of gun-boats of Odessa naval base (captain - commander G.V. Katuncevsky); 24.06.1941 - mined sea near Odessa, damaged by German bomb; 07.07.1941 - mined sea near Bugaz by 120 mines; 16.08.-20.09.1941 - supported marines by artillery fire near Odessa; 22.09.1941 - participated in landing operation near Grigorievka; 26.10.1941 - escorted monitor "Zheleznyakov"; 25-26.12.1941 - participated in Feodosia-Kerch landing operation (as the part of landing unit "B"); since 16.01.1942 - transported soldiers and military cargos between Caucasus and Kerch; 10.08.1942 and 13.08.1942 damaged by bomb close explosions; 04-05.02.1943 - participated in Ozereika-Stanichka landing operation as landing ship; torpedoed by German torpedo boat 27.02.1943 at Myshako pier, Cemess harbor during unloading; gunners were killed, engines damaged and despite the tug rescue operation gun-boat was sunk by additional German aviation attacks and coastal artillery fire.
Till now the destroyed hull of "Krasnaya Gruzia" is visible near the shore (the nose section towers 1 m above the water).

http://sovnavy-ww2.by.ru/gunboats/pic/gruzia.jpg (photo of WWII period)
http://base13.glasnet.ru/text/masky/gruzia.jpg (camouflage scheme)
http://www.tetis-yug.ru/book2/images/144.jpg ("Krasnaya Gruzia" at the moment, drawing)

"Krasnaya Moldavia" (ex-"T-322", ex-"Elpidifor N 422", since 13.09.24 - mine-sweeper TShCh-24, since 12.02.1925 - "Krasnaya Moldavia") was used as tanker/refueler of Black Sea Navy during WWII.
"Valery Chkalov" (ex-"Elpidifor N 418") was used as mine-sweeper of Black Sea Navy during WWII (see my previous post)

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#184

Post by BIGpanzer » 08 Mar 2006, 17:10

Just for information - "Elpidifor N 415": laid down at Nikolaev 01.1917 as landing ship, launched 16.05.1920 as mine-sweeper/mine-layer, since 04.06.1920 - gun-boat of Black Sea naval forces of Soviet Russia.
09.01.1921 heavily damaged and ran aground at Anapa during the combat with two French destroyers and one French transport during the Russian civil war (transported two torpedo boats of "Thornycroft"-type on the deck from Novorossiysk to Sevastopol), scrapped in 1922.

"Elpidifor"s N 410, N 411, N 412 (transport ships) were captured by White forces during Russian civill war, moved to Constantinople, later to Tunisia Bizerta in November 1920. No further info.
http://flot.parus.ru/images/pic00677.jpg ("Elpidifor N 410" in 1918, drawing)

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Komsomolets Arktiki

#185

Post by Dido » 10 Mar 2006, 12:50

Hi everyone, I am looking for any available photos of the Komsomolets Arktiki, a converted whale factory ship.

Here is a summary of her history:
Build 1897 by Ned Scheepsb Mij, Amsterdam as cargo ship Madoura for SMN.
1912: To KNSM, renamed Sirius.
1916: Registered at Tonsberg, renamed Norhval.
1926: Sold to Norwegians.
1928: Registered at Hull, probably for Hellyer Bros, and renamed Arctic Prince.
1936: Sold to USSR, Murmansk and renamed Komsomolets Arktiki.
1958: Scrapped.

Did the Soviets operated any other whale factories prior to ww2? I read a report of a vessel named Michail (ex-Clan Grant) acquired in 1900 but I doubt that she made it into the Soviet period.

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#186

Post by BIGpanzer » 10 Mar 2006, 18:13

Hi, Dido!
Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of "Komsomolets Arktiki" ship. But I have short info about its use during WWII.
That refrigerator steamer (3450 brutto-tons, built in 1897) was used by Murmansk Shipping Company (MMP) before WWII, participated in rescue operation of Soviet polar expedition "North Pole-1" in 1938 together with many other ships.

"Komsomolets Arktiki" participated in Winter war, 1940 - the ship transported soldiers from 104th infantry division for the planned offensive (Petsamo region).

"Komsomolets Arktiki" was used as transpost ship during WWII, transporting also wounded/frostbitten soldiers from Kandalaksha to Arkhangelsk. The ship made several North navigations alone (not in convoys) during the war. The ship in convoy (10 ships + 2 ice-breakers) tried to make navigation to USA for Lend-Lease cargo transportation, using North Sea Route in August 1942, but because of strong ice in East Arctic convoy returned back. That convoy successfully avoided the meet with German battleship "Admiral Scheer".

PS. I found an info that USSR had one of the largest whaling fleet in mid1930s-1970s (together with Norway, USA, Japan), the best ship in 1930s was whaling ship-depot-fish factory "Aleut" (Pacific Ocean, reequipped in Leningrad from cargo steamer and accepted in 1932). Soviet fishing fleet (including whaling) had near 900 motor vessels of different displacement in 1940 on Pacific Ocean. In 1933 the first Soviet whaling flotilia was established on Pacific ("Aleut" depot ship, also "Avangard", "Trudfront", "Enthusiast" whaling ships - the last three was special whaling ships, not reequipped as "Aleut" whaling factory). Near 200-400 whales were got every year in 1930s in Pacific. But this is a "little bit" off-topic.... :lol:

As for whaling ship (depot) "Mikhail" (cargo capacity 5000 t) - it was used since 1903 on Pacific Ocean by Russian "Pacific whaling and fishing joint-stock company of count G.G. Keiserling and Co." It was the first Russian special whaling ship. The ship was captured at one of the Japanese ports during the Russian-Japanese war 1905, used by Japanese as transport ship. Came to Sakhalin under Japanese flag in 1906 and ran aground because of captain's mistake and stormy weather. Japanese captain killed himself because of this mistake. Later Japanese could refloat the ship in 1923, named it as "Koto-Maru", but it ran aground again soon during the storm. Another source give the info that the owner of the ship G.G.Keiserling bought the ship back from Japan in 1906, later ship ran aground. Anyway, the destroyed hull of "Mikhail" (brocken in three parts by storms) is visible till now near Russian Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsk port. The steamer "participated" in WWII as its cargo derricks were removed in the beg.1940s from the rusty hull and placed in the port for unloading tanks and artillery during Soviet-Japanese war in 1945.
Last edited by BIGpanzer on 11 Mar 2006, 00:10, edited 1 time in total.

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#187

Post by Dido » 10 Mar 2006, 19:00

Thanks for the information! Since we are just a "little bit" off-topic... :wink: do you have any additional information on the fate of the whaling ship-depot-fish cannery "Aleut"?
I found that she was built in 1919 as GLEN RIDGE, about 5000gt, converted 1932 in Leningrad). I guess that she also was used as transpost ship during WWII.
Last edited by Dido on 10 Mar 2006, 19:16, edited 1 time in total.

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#188

Post by BIGpanzer » 10 Mar 2006, 19:15

Yes, I have such info (just found in my computer database) about "Aleut" - will post it in several hours as I am very busy at the moment at my office :) .

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#189

Post by Dido » 10 Mar 2006, 19:26

I found an interesting webpage at http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_krabolov.html
I guess that it refers to the Soviet whaling fleet but might have useful information for transport ships as well.

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#190

Post by BIGpanzer » 10 Mar 2006, 20:54

Interesting link with the photos from 1930s of Soviet crab ships (Pacific Ocean). AFAIK almost all those ships were used as transport ships between USA-USSR ports during WWII (also they were reequipped in USA into military transports), several participated in the war with Japan, 1945 (transported ammunition and marines as did crab factory ships "Vsevolod Sibirtsev", "Menzhintsev", "Tretij krabolov" for example):
http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_krabolov/sibirsev2.jpg ("Vsevolod Sibirtsev") http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_kraboflot_vo ... ginsky.jpg ("Menzhintsev")
Crab ships "Tungus" (mine explosion) and "Lamut" were lost.


I also found there the photos of whaling ships "Aleut"
http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_aleut/aleut2.jpg - during reequipment into whaling ship in Leningrad
http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_aleut/aleut3.jpg - whaling ship
http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_kitoboy/pod%27em.jpg - during the lifting of whale through the apparel

"Trudfront" - http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_aleut/trudfront.jpg
"Entuziast" - http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_aleut/entuziast1.jpg :wink:

Well, some short info I have about whaling ship (depot-factory) "Aleut" (flagship of Soviet Pacific fleet of whalers in 1930s, the first Soviet large special whailing ship). That large transport ship ("Glen Ridge", 11000 t) was bought in 1929 from USA by Soviet Kamchatka joint-stock company, reequipped into whaling ship/fish factory in 1930-1931 in Leningrad. The same time three special but much smaller whaling ships "Avangard", "Trudfront" and "Entuziast" were built in Norway especially for USSR.
"Aleut" was not used as military transport during WWII, but continued to be used as whaling ship in Pacific during the whole WWII (533 whales were got only in 1941, 66 millions of fish cans were produced on board during the war)

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ALEUT

#191

Post by mjbollinger » 11 Mar 2006, 04:48

Found this web page about five years ago. Very helpful.

Here is chronology of ALEUT

1919 Completed as GLEN RIDGE (USSB) 08.19
1930 ALEUT (Dalgosrybtrest) Baltimore to Oslo 03.30
1930 Repaired and readied for sailing in New York for Oslo
1930 Instead send to Leningrad for rebuilding 03.30
1932 Transitioned Leningrad to Vladivostok; whaling started 25.10.32
1933 ALEUT (Dalkitozvertrest) whaling fleet
1937 ALEUT (Krabomorzverotrest) whaling fleet
1956 ALEUT (UKF)
1956 Modernized by Dalzavod in Vladivostok 1956-58
1959 ALEUT (Kraboflot) whaling fleet
1968 Written off
1970 Broken up in USSR

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#192

Post by Dido » 12 Mar 2006, 00:33

There is an interesting fleetlist of the ships operated by the Far East State Shipping in 1941, at http://militera.lib.ru/h/rudnev_ga/03.html

Unfortunately there is not much in the web on the history of the vessels owned by Krabflot. So - once more - I seek your help in assembling the histories of these ships.

I managed to assemble the following:

Vsevolod Sibirtsev (131 x 16 meters, 6.857 grt)
Built 1912 as KANGEAN for Stoomvaart Maatschappij Nederland.
1931: Sold to Japan for scrapping but resold to Russia renamed Vsevolod Sibirtseff.

Menzhintsev (6,000 tons)
Built 1919 at Holland.

Perviy Crabolov (1st Crabbery)
Built 1913 as TAYA MARU.
1928: sold to Soviet Union, renamed.

Vtoroy Crabolov (2nd Crabbery)
1929: sold to Soviet Union, renamed.

Treti Krabolov (4.078 grt. 375.1ft x 48.1ft)
Built 1900 as MONMOUTH for Elder Dempster at Raylton Dixon & Co., Middlesbrough.
1903: Taken over by Canadian Pacific Line
1919: sold to Imperial Oil Co. of Toronto.
1922: went to Stillmar, Sarnia, Ontario,
1923: sold to Kishimoto KK, Japan and in 1925 was renamed "Shinzan Maru".
1929: sold again, to Dalgosrybtrest, Vladivostok, Russia and renamed "Treti Krabolov" (3rd Crabbery).
1945: in the war with Japan, transported ammunition and marines
She was no longer registered in 1960.

Chetvertyi Crabolov (4rth Crabbery)
1930: sold to Soviet Union, renamed.
1945: Left in the USA as unfit

Piatty Krabolov / Anastas Mikoyan
1905: completed by Bartram & Sons, Sunderland, as Benavon (1) for Ben Line,
1930: sold to Soviet Union, renamed Piatty Krabolov (5th Crabbery), converted to crab cannery.
1936: renamed ANASTAS MIKOYAN
1959: deleted from Lloyd's Register - assumed no longer in service

Tungus
Lost by mine explosion on 15 August, 1941,

Lamut (2,694 grt. 253,8 x 43,6 ft.)
Built 1919 by Great Lakes Engine Works, Ohio, Ashtabula
Grounded March 31, 1943 near Teahwhit Head, Wash., south of Cape Flattery and sunk.

Your help in filling the blanks of their histories will be most appreciated! :)

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#193

Post by BIGpanzer » 12 Mar 2006, 00:39

Thanks for the info about "Aleut", Marty!

I would like to finish the topic about Russian/Soviet-built universal ships (so called "landing steamers", the best landing vessels of WWI) of "Elpidifor"-type. They were used on Black and Azov Seas.
I've already posted the following info (my posts from 8 March):

"Elpidifor N 418" was used as mine-sweeper/cable-laying ship during WWII.
"Elpidifor N 413" was used as gun-boat/landing ship during WWII.
"Elpidifor N 414" was used as gun-boat/landing ship during WWII.
"Elpidifor N 416" was used as gun-boat/landing ship during WWII. It was sank by German bombers 21.09.1941 near Tendra bank during the navigation Sevastopol-Grigorievka with landing troops, only 6 men were rescued.
"Elpidifor N 417" was used as gun-boat/landing ship during WWII. It was torpedoed by German torpedo boat 27.02.1943 at Myshako pier, Cemess harbor during unloading; gunners were killed, engines damaged and despite the tug rescue operation gun-boat was sunk by additional German aviation attacks and coastal artillery fire.
"Elpidifor N 422" was used as tanker/refueler of Black Sea Navy during WWII.
"Elpidifor N 415" was used as gun-boat during Russian civil war. It was heavily damaged and ran aground at Anapa during the combat with two French destroyers and one French transport 09.01.1921 (transported two torpedo boats of "Thornycroft"-type on the deck from Novorossiysk to Sevastopol, both torpedo boats were damaged by French artillery fire), scrapped in 1922.
"Elpidifor N 410"(transport ship) was captured by White forces during Russian civill war, moved to Constantinople, later to Tunisia Bizerta in November 1920.
"Elpidifor N 411"(transport ship) was captured by White forces during Russian civill war, moved to Constantinople, later to Tunisia Bizerta in November 1920.
"Elpidifor N 412"(transport ship) was captured by White forces during Russian civill war, moved to Constantinople, later to Tunisia Bizerta in November 1920.

Additional info:
"Elpidifor N 419" (later "Alexander Emshanov", "Stakhanovets") was used as tanker/refueler.
"Elpidifor N 420" (later "Berezan") was used as self-propelled barge for oil/coal transportation.
"Elpidifor N 421" (later "Tendra") was used as self-propelled barge for oil/coal transportation.
"Elpidifor N 423" (later "Volgo-Don") was used as dry-cargo ship by Azov State Shipping Company (AGMP). It was exploded 08.10.1941 at Mariupol by its crew to prevent capture of the ship.
"Elpidifor N 424" (later "Gornyak") - finished as ore-carrier for Azov Sea. It was heavily damaged by German bombers during the navigation Novorossisk-Kerch 15.11.41, ran aground (Kerch strait, Tuzla sandbar) and destroyed by German coastal artillery later. The ship was raised by emergency rescue service of Soviet Black Sea navy in 1944.
"Elpidifor N 425" (later "Iosif Kosior", "Azov") - finished as ore-carrier for Azov Sea. It was attacked by 8 German dive bombers during the navigation Tuapse-Poti 22.10.1942, among 32 dropped bombs 2 hit the ship. Patrol boats towed heavily damaged ship towards the shore, where it ran aground (Tuapse, 43°59', 39°11'). 1 man was killed, the rest crew members were rescued.
"Elpidifor N 426" (later "Metallist") - finished as ore-carrier for Azov Sea. Probably, survived the war as sunk steamer "Metallist" (which was unsuccessfully attacked by Soviet submarine ShCh-303 27.09.1939 by mistake and after that was torpedoed by Soviet patrol ship "Tucha" also by mistake) served on Baltic Sea and was much larger (4000 t, not 1300 t as "Elpidifor"s).
"Elpidifor N 427" (later "Sovetskij Krym") - finished as ore-carrier for Azov Sea. It was through repairs by Kamysh-Burun ship-repair dockyard in November 1941, where it was damaged by German aviation. After that ship was towed to Gelendzhik and ran aground in 1942. The ship was raised by emergency rescue service of Soviet Black Sea navy in 1944, repaired and returned back to service in 1945.
"Elpidifor N 428" - not finished, dismantled at building slip(?)
"Elpidifor N 429" - not finished, dismantled at building slip(?)


Regards, BP :)

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Fishing Ships

#194

Post by mjbollinger » 12 Mar 2006, 01:47

VSEVOLOD SIBIRTSEV
1912 Launched as KANGEAN 12.04.12
1912 Completed as KANGEAN (N.V. Stoomvaart Mij. "Nederland")
1931 Sold to Okada in Osaka for scrapping 10.6.31
1931 KHAIRIUZOVO (Krabotrest)
1932 VSEVOLOD SIBIRTSEV (Krabotrest)
1937 VSEVOLOD SIBIRTSEV (Krabomorzverotrest)
1942 Mobilized for military operations 08.42
1945 Participated in Khomlsk operations 08.45
1972 Handed over for scrapping

PERVYI KRABALOV
1896 Completed as CLAN OGILVY (Cayzer, Irvine & Co.)
1913 TAIYO MARU (Iwaki Ukichi)
1918 TAIYO MARU (Hamaguchi Kisen K.K.)
1924 TAIYO MARU (Hamaguchi Kisen Goshi Kaisha)
1925 TAIYO MARU (Uyeda Mitsujiro)
1927 TAIYO MARU (Uyeda Kisen Kaisha)
1928 PERVYI KRABALOV (Dalgosrybtrest) crab cannery 15.03.28
1930 PERVYI KRABALOV (Krabotrest)
1937 PERVYI KRABALOV (Krabomorzverotrest)
194- PERVYI KRABALOV (TF) as oil storage hulk

SHESTOI KRABALOV
1905 Completed as BENLAWERS (W. Thompson & Co.) 07.05
1930 SHESTOI KRABALOV (Krabotrest) as floating cannery
1937 SHESTOI KRABALOV (Krabomorzverotrest)
1970 SHESTOI KRABALOV (Dalmoreprodukt)

TRETII KRABALOV
1900 Launched as MONMOUTH 01.05.00
1900 Completed as MONMOUTH (Elmer Dempster & Co.)
1900 Used to transport troops in Boer War (1900-1902)
1903 MONMOUTH (Canadian Pacific Railway Co.)
1916 MONMOUTH (Canadaicn Pacific Railway Ocean Lines)
1916 Mined off Cherbourg; damaged and towed in or repair
1919 MONMOUTH (Imperial Oil Co.) 31.12.19
1922 MONMOUTH (Stillmar, Sanaria)
1923 MONMOUTH (Kishimoto KK)
1923 SHINZAN MARU (Kishimoto KK)
1929 TRETII KRABALOV (Dalgosrybtrest) as floating cannery
1930 TRETII KRABALOV (Krabotrest)
1937 TRETII KRABALOV (Krabomorzverotrest)
1960 Deleted LRS

CHETVERTYI KRABALOV
h1904 Completed as BENLEDI (W. Thompson & Co.)
1930 CHETVERTYI KRABALOV (Krabotrest) as crab cannery
1937 CHETVERTYI KRABALOV (Krabomorzverotrest)
1942 Requisitioned for war time transport operations
1944 CHETVERTYI KRABALOV (WSA) under reverse Lend Lease 12.6.44
1944 CHETVERTYI KRABALOV (Navy Dept) 30.10.44; abandoned in US as unfit

PIATTY KRABALOV1905 Completed as BENAVON (W. Thompson & Co.) 09.05
1923 BENAVON (Ben Line Steamers, Ltd.)
1930 PIATTY KRABALOV (Krabotrest) as floating cannery
1934 ANASTAS MIKOYAN (Krabotrest)
1937 ANASTAS MIKOYAN (Krabomorzverotrest)
1958 ANASTAS MIKOYAN (DGMP)
1959 ANASTAS MIKOYAN (Krabomorzverotrest)
1970 ANASTAS MIKOYAN (Dalmoreprodukt)

TUNGUS
1920 Completed as LAKE ELVA (USSB) 03.20
1929 TUNGUS (Dalgosrybtrest) crab cannery
1930 TUNGUS (Krabotrest)
1937 TUNGUS (Krabomorzverotrest)
1941 Hit Soviet mine in Sea of Japan and lost 07.41

LAMUT
1919 Completed as LAKE ELPUEBLO (USSB) 10.19
1929 LAMUT (Dalgosrybtrest) crab cannery
1930 LAMUT (Krabotrest)
1937 LAMUT (Krabomorzverotrest)
1943 Aground 47.52N-124.36W in Juan de Fuca Strait 01.04.43

Some new ones for you....

GILYAK
1920 Completed as EASTERN PILOT (USSB) 01.20
1930 GILYAK (Krabotrest) crab cannery 08.30
1937 GILYAK (Krabomorzverotrest)
1942 Requisitioned for war time transport operations
1943 Converted to whale canning ship
1944 GILYAK (WSA) under reverse Lend Lease 12.6.44
1944 GILYAK (Navy Dept) 30.10.44; abandoned in US


OROCHEN
1917 Completed as KIRISHIMA MARU No 6 (Matsuda Kisen K.K.) 10.17
1918 EASTERN CROSS (USSB)
1930 OROCHEN (Krabrotrest) 08.30
1937 OROCHEN (Krabomorzverotrest)
1957 Converted to fish processing factory
1970 Broken up in USSR

KAMCHATKA
1919 Completed as LAKE ELRIO (USSB) 10.19
1922 PARIA (USSB)
1927 CHASE (International Packaging Co.)
1928 Acquired by Amtorg; converted in Japan through 08.05.28
1928 KAMCHATKA (Dalgosrybtrest) crab cannery 08.05.28
1930 KAMCHATKA (Krabotrest)
1937 KAMCHATKA (Krabomorzverotrest)
1964 KAMCHATKA (Dalmoreprodukt)
1971 Excluded from register; Broken up in USSR


ESKIMOS
1919 Completed as EASTERN BELLE (USSB) 12.19
1929 ESKIMOS (Dalgosrybtrest)
1930 ESKIMOS (Krabotrest)
1937 ESKIMOS (Krabomorzverotrest)
1957 Converted to fish processing factory
1971 Broken up in USSR

ITELMEN
1918 Completed as EASTPORT (USSB) 08.18
1918 USS EASTPORT SP-3342 (NOTS-USA) 18.10.18
1919 EASTPORT (USSB) 19.06.19
1929 ITELMEN (Dalgosrybtrest) 08.29
1930 ITELMEN (Krabotrest)
1936 Rescued crew and passengers from SIASSTROI in Bering Sea
1937 ITELMEN (Krabomorzverotrest)
1960 Deleted LRS

YUKAGIR
1920 Completed as LAKE ELMWOOD (USSB) 02.20
1929 YUKAGIR (Dalgosrybtrest) crab cannery
1930 YUKAGIR (Krabotrest)
1937 YUKAGIR (Krabomorzverotrest)
1960 Deleted LRS

SNABZHENETS VTOROI
1908 Completed as BENDORAN (W. Thompson & Co.)
1919 BENDORAN (Ben Line Steamers, Ltd.)
1930 SNABZHENETS VTOROI (Krabotrest) as salmon cannery
1937 SNABZHENETS VTOROI (Krabomorzverotrest)
1941 Wrecked on Stone of Danger 26.06.41


MB

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BIGpanzer
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#195

Post by BIGpanzer » 12 Mar 2006, 03:13

Thanks for the info, Dido and Marty!

Many of mentioned Soviet crab ships were used by Kamchatka Joint-Stock Company (AKO) - the main Soviet Far-East organization of fishing, crabbing, fur farming, forestry, mining. "Krabotrest" (Crab business organization) and others were branches of AKO.

1. Crab factory ship "Vsevolod Sibirtsev" (the largest world crabber in 1930s, flagship of Soviet Far-East crab fleet, port Vladivostok) participated as military transport in the Soviet-Japanese war in August 1945 (transported military cargos and marines).
Note: not Khomlsk but Kholmsk landing operation.

2. Note: not "krabalov" but "krabolov" ("crabber"). Note: not "Piatty krabalov" but "Piatyi krabolov" (""Fifth crabber").
AFAIK crab boat "Tretii krabolov" also participated as transport ship in Soviet-Japanese war in August 1945.

3. Japanese patrol boats tried to capture Soviet crabber "Itelmen" in July 1942, but Soviet border aviation prevented that.
Crabber "Itelmen" from AKO fleet rescued passengers (1090 workers) and crew from steamer "Siasstroy" 10.06.1936, when it ran into reef.

4. Crab ship "Tungus" (so called crabbers of "Lake"-type, several such ships ("Tungus", "Lamut", "Yukagir", "Yakut", "Eskimos", etc.) were bought in USA in the end of 1920s to equip AKO fleet) - exploded on Soviet mine 28.07.1941 or 29.07.1941 (cape Povorotnyi).
Specifications of crabbers of "Lake"-type: 3100 t, 77.3x13.3 m.
http://www.dmp.ru/rus/hist_krabolov/lamut.jpg (crab ship "Lamut")
"Eskimos" was built in Japan (Tokyo) for USA in 1919.

5. Note: not "Orochen" but "Orochon".

6. Steamer "Snabzhenets-2" ("Supplier 2nd") wrecked on Stone of Danger in 1940, not in 1941 (according to my sources).

The fleet of AKO had 11 large ships in 1941 (34810 t total): steamers "Orochon", "Eskimos", "Sima", "Yakut" and tanker "Maksim Gorkyi" were under repair. There were also tug "Kashalot", steamers "Shchors", "Itelmen", "Chavycha", "Anatolii Serov", "Kokkinaki", "Chapaev", "Kura", "Terek", "Vostok", "Shelon" - they continued fisheries during WWII as well as the rest ships after repair.
24.02.1942 two divisions were formed from the AKO fleet: 1st of special transport service (ships from AKO) and 2nd of fishing service (ships from Morlov, fishing fleet). Since April 1942 almost all crab/fishing ships were armed with 20-45mm guns and MGs. The most successful in fishing during WWII were "Eskimos" and "Orochon".

"Anatolii Serov" was heavily damaged by ice in spring 1942 during 3-months ice drift; was repaired during two weeks in June 1942. "Sima" was also damaged by ice and heavy storm in spring 1942, repaired. "Shelon" was heavily damaged 09.07.1944 because of accident. "Itelmen", "Shchors", "Kokkinaki", "Kura" was damaged by strong ice in 1944, repaired. All repaires were made in Petropavlovsk. "Yakut" and "Eskimos" were repaired/armed with "Oerlikon"s in USA during WWII (also several other ships from AKO - "Orochon", "Shchors", "Anatolii Serov", etc.) -but Soviet sailors were disappointed as US engineers gave 1-2 year guarantee after repair (for Soviet shipyards of that period 4-5 year guarantee was normal), "Shchors" was repaired poor and the crew tried to repair engine again during the way back to USSR. "Orochon" was repaired and armed in USA (Portland) in September 1942. "Anatolii Serov" was repaired very good by powerful US General Engeenering Company.

"Itelmen", "Chapaev", "Kokkinaki" and "Maksim Gorkii" transported cargos, ammunition and marines during Kuril landing operation in August 1945 (64 ships total with 8824 marines, 95 guns, 123 mortars, 492 MGs). Four ships from AKO transported 6704 t of cargos and 3363 marines.

In October 1945 AKO was renamed as Kamchatrybflot (Kamchatka State fishing fleet)
Last edited by BIGpanzer on 12 Mar 2006, 15:30, edited 1 time in total.

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