By the way, as for the Soviet-built coastal diesel cargo schooners of "Pioner"-class (Sevastopol Shipyard, Odessa Ship-Repair Yard, 1928-1935, 987 GRT) - DGMP used 4 of them: "Serp", "Molot", "Ayan" and "Gizhiga" (all were built by Odessa Works).
1. "Serp" served in DGMP in 1932-1948, the ship was given to Sakhalin State Steamship Company in 1946.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... oner_1.jpg ("Pioner" of the same class, note the electrically-driven cargo derricks)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... oner_2.jpg ("Pioner" of the same class)
2. "Molot" served in DGMP in 1932-1939, the ship was given to new-organized Nikolaevsk- Na Amure Sea Steamship Company in 1939.
3. "Ayan" served in DGMP in 1937-1939, the ship was given to Pacific Navy in 1939 and participated in WWII as minelayer.
4. "Gizhiga" served in DGMP in 1936-1939, the ship was given to Pacific Navy in 1939 and participated in WWII as minelayer.
As I've written somewhere above, those schooners became an excellent landing ships on the Black Sea - they had shallow draft as coastal ships, good cargo capacity to transport soldiers and ammunition, and the nose part of some schooners was replaced on wide metal water-proof door with metal landing apron outside. I don't know were Pacific schooners of that class were reeqipped in the same manner to be the landing ships during the Soviet-Japanese war 1945, but seems to be not.
Transport ships of USSR in 1941-1945 - any info!!
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mjbollinger
- Member
- Posts: 238
- Joined: 14 Sep 2005, 02:23
- Location: Great Falls, VA
Navy auxilaries
BP,
Thanks. I have good information on their activities through 1945 -- it is the period after 1945 that I can't seem to find much information.
MB
Thanks. I have good information on their activities through 1945 -- it is the period after 1945 that I can't seem to find much information.
MB
DGMP database contain a huge amount of photos of Soviet merchant ships 
For example, I tried to find at least several good photos of Soviet-built cargo-passenger ships for ice navigation of "Anadyr"-class (10 were built in 5 series in 1929-1932 by Baltic Shipyard, 3649 GRT) for many months. And I found a lot photos of "far-easterners" (unofficial name of those steamers) in this database. Those ships were developed as diesel ships but it was decided to built them as steamers because of economical reasons (Vladivostok didn't have large oil storage at that time and should import oil in any case, but Far-East Suchan coal was cheap and caloric).
DGMP used 8 ships of this class: "Anadyr", "Sakhalin" ("Krasnoyarsk"), "Sverdlovsk", "Sever", "Smolensk", "Stalingrad", "Suchan", "Khabarovsk".
1. "Anadyr" served in DGMP in 1932-1965. The ship was given to Vladivostok sea fishing port in 1965.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_3.jpg (during WWII, note armament on board and large inscription "USSR" for Japanese and US warships in Pacific, excellent photo!)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_4.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_5.jpg (the crewmembers of "Anadyr" after the first cargo navigation along the North Sea Route from Vladivostok to Leningrad, 1935)
2. "Sakhalin" served in DGMP in 1931-1958 (was renamed as "Krasnoyarsk" in 1944). The ship served in Pacific Navy in 1945 and was returned back to DGMP soon; the ship was given to Kamchatka steamship company in 1958.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f389_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f389_2.jpg (during WWII; note life rafts, armament and inscription "USSR" on board)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f389_3.jpg
3. "Sverdlovsk" served in DGMP in 1933-1941, 1946. The ship was given to Pacific Navy in 1941, was returned back to DGMP in 1946 and was lost near Kuril Islands the same year.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f632_1.jpg (pressed by strong ice)
4. "Sever" served in DGMP in 1932-1941. The ship was given to Pacific Navy 07.1941, removed from service in 1994.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f637_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f637_2.jpg
5. "Smolensk" served in DGMP in 1932-1945. The ship was given to Pacific Navy in 1945.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f661_1.jpg (during the ice navigation, note the icebreaker bow of the ships of that class)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f661_2.jpg
6. "Stalingrad" served in DGMP in 1932-1942. The ship was given to Central administration of North Sea Route in 1938. "Stalingrad" participated in Polar convoys (QP-7, PQ-18) during WWII and was torpedoed in Greenland Sea by U-589 in 1942.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f677_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f677_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f677_3.jpg (the crewmembers of "Stalingrad" after the first commercial run along the North Sea Route from Vladivostok to Leningrad, 1935)
7. "Suchan" served in DGMP in 1932-1938. The ship was lost near the Stone of Danger in La Perouse Strait 05.1938.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f692_1.jpg
8. "Khabarovsk" served in DGMP in 1933-1945, 1946-1949. The ship served in Pacific Navy in 1945, was returned back to DGMP in 1946. The ship was given to Kamchatka-Chukotka sea steamship company in 1949.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f760_1.jpg ("Khabarovsk" and "Anadyr")
For example, I tried to find at least several good photos of Soviet-built cargo-passenger ships for ice navigation of "Anadyr"-class (10 were built in 5 series in 1929-1932 by Baltic Shipyard, 3649 GRT) for many months. And I found a lot photos of "far-easterners" (unofficial name of those steamers) in this database. Those ships were developed as diesel ships but it was decided to built them as steamers because of economical reasons (Vladivostok didn't have large oil storage at that time and should import oil in any case, but Far-East Suchan coal was cheap and caloric).
DGMP used 8 ships of this class: "Anadyr", "Sakhalin" ("Krasnoyarsk"), "Sverdlovsk", "Sever", "Smolensk", "Stalingrad", "Suchan", "Khabarovsk".
1. "Anadyr" served in DGMP in 1932-1965. The ship was given to Vladivostok sea fishing port in 1965.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_3.jpg (during WWII, note armament on board and large inscription "USSR" for Japanese and US warships in Pacific, excellent photo!)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_4.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_5.jpg (the crewmembers of "Anadyr" after the first cargo navigation along the North Sea Route from Vladivostok to Leningrad, 1935)
2. "Sakhalin" served in DGMP in 1931-1958 (was renamed as "Krasnoyarsk" in 1944). The ship served in Pacific Navy in 1945 and was returned back to DGMP soon; the ship was given to Kamchatka steamship company in 1958.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f389_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f389_2.jpg (during WWII; note life rafts, armament and inscription "USSR" on board)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f389_3.jpg
3. "Sverdlovsk" served in DGMP in 1933-1941, 1946. The ship was given to Pacific Navy in 1941, was returned back to DGMP in 1946 and was lost near Kuril Islands the same year.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f632_1.jpg (pressed by strong ice)
4. "Sever" served in DGMP in 1932-1941. The ship was given to Pacific Navy 07.1941, removed from service in 1994.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f637_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f637_2.jpg
5. "Smolensk" served in DGMP in 1932-1945. The ship was given to Pacific Navy in 1945.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f661_1.jpg (during the ice navigation, note the icebreaker bow of the ships of that class)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f661_2.jpg
6. "Stalingrad" served in DGMP in 1932-1942. The ship was given to Central administration of North Sea Route in 1938. "Stalingrad" participated in Polar convoys (QP-7, PQ-18) during WWII and was torpedoed in Greenland Sea by U-589 in 1942.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f677_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f677_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f677_3.jpg (the crewmembers of "Stalingrad" after the first commercial run along the North Sea Route from Vladivostok to Leningrad, 1935)
7. "Suchan" served in DGMP in 1932-1938. The ship was lost near the Stone of Danger in La Perouse Strait 05.1938.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f692_1.jpg
8. "Khabarovsk" served in DGMP in 1933-1945, 1946-1949. The ship served in Pacific Navy in 1945, was returned back to DGMP in 1946. The ship was given to Kamchatka-Chukotka sea steamship company in 1949.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f760_1.jpg ("Khabarovsk" and "Anadyr")
Last edited by BIGpanzer on 24 Jun 2006, 17:42, edited 2 times in total.
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mjbollinger
- Member
- Posts: 238
- Joined: 14 Sep 2005, 02:23
- Location: Great Falls, VA
DGMP Ship Photos
Interesting that many of these photos (for example F52-3) were taken by the U.S. and Canadian military during WWII. The original photographs are stored in the US archives in College Park, MD.
Marty
Marty
Yes, I've also noticed that. Those photos of "Tovarishch Krasin"-class and "Anadyr"-class ships, made during their navigations in Pacific as armed military transports, were taken from US or Canadian reconnaissance planes, very probably.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f741_3.jpg ("Tovarishch Krasin"-class timber ship)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_3.jpg ("Anadyr"-class cargo-passenger ship)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f389_2.jpg ("Anadyr"-class cargo-passenger ship)
In my opinion cargo-passenger ships for ice voyages of "Anadyr"-class were one of the world's best multipurpose transport ships for north navigations in 1930s. They were built for the regular voyages between distant north far-eastern settlements (Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea) and could transport everything: tea and timber along the foreign routes, different cargos and passengers along the far-eastern routes (they were equipped with 4 holds, 4 tweendecks, refrigerator compartment in 3rd tweendeck, comfortable cabins for 46 passengers of the Ist class and berths for 268 passengers in 1-2, 4 tweendecks, also 228 passengers could be transported on the deck). Those ships had icebreaker bow and strong ice lining of the hull, which allowed them to made north and even Polar navigations, also they had large water- and food-supply on board because of lack of harbors in their regions of operation.
Regards, BP
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f741_3.jpg ("Tovarishch Krasin"-class timber ship)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f52_3.jpg ("Anadyr"-class cargo-passenger ship)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f389_2.jpg ("Anadyr"-class cargo-passenger ship)
In my opinion cargo-passenger ships for ice voyages of "Anadyr"-class were one of the world's best multipurpose transport ships for north navigations in 1930s. They were built for the regular voyages between distant north far-eastern settlements (Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea) and could transport everything: tea and timber along the foreign routes, different cargos and passengers along the far-eastern routes (they were equipped with 4 holds, 4 tweendecks, refrigerator compartment in 3rd tweendeck, comfortable cabins for 46 passengers of the Ist class and berths for 268 passengers in 1-2, 4 tweendecks, also 228 passengers could be transported on the deck). Those ships had icebreaker bow and strong ice lining of the hull, which allowed them to made north and even Polar navigations, also they had large water- and food-supply on board because of lack of harbors in their regions of operation.
Regards, BP
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Michael Emrys
- Member
- Posts: 6002
- Joined: 13 Jan 2005, 19:44
- Location: USA
Most likely these were intended to go into recognition books so as to avoid friendly fire incidents through misidentification. American subs were often able to even identify the precise ship this way.BIGpanzer wrote:Yes, I've also noticed that. Those photos of "Tovarishch Krasin"-class and "Anadyr"-class ships, made during their navigations in Pacific as armed military transports, were taken from US or Canadian reconnaissance planes, very probably.
Michael
Yes, sure! I meant this exactly. Obviously, that Allied recon planes took those photos for ship identification books. But interesting, why Americans didn't take such photos in their ports where Soviet ships came for Lend-Lease cargos? This seems much easy than to make photos in open sea. The reason could be that US pilots took the photos of different types of Soviet merchant ships as not all of them visited US/Canadian/British ports.
Unfortunately, as we've discussed this above, US submarines sank 7 Soviet civil ships in 1941-1945 by mistake (6 cargo ships (28684 brt) and 1 fishing ship - 128 men including 21 women and 3 children were lost). May be US recon planes began to take such photos after some of those incidents, which caused big political scandals, showed incoordination and bad joint planning of naval operations/sea routes, and often talks among crewmembers of Soviet patrol boats and destroyers to sink US submarines by "mistake".
Here are some photos of Soviet-built multipurpose cargo diesel ships of "Max Hoelz"-class (I, II series) and "KIM"-class (III, IV series), which were built by North Shipyard in Leningrad (8 ships in 4 series, 1931-1936, 3972 GRT and 5114 GRT). DGMP used 3 such ships: "Friedrich Engels", "Vladimir Mayakovskij" ("Bela Kun") and "KIM".
1. "Friedrich Engels" served in DGMP in 1940-1945. The ship participated in Polar convoys during WWII (PQ-9, QP-8, QP-15, single runs), was given to Black Sea State Steamship Company in 1945.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f758_1.jpg
2. "Vladimir Mayakovskij" ("Bela Kun") served in DGMP in 1940-1967. The ship was received from Black Sea State Steamship Company; removed from service in 1967.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f172_1.jpg
3. "KIM" served in DGMP in 1939-1970. The ship was given to the Ministry of Fishery in 1970.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f350_1.jpg (navigation along Kamchatka-Japan line)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f350_2.jpg (ships of the IIIrd and IVth series were 10 m longer and 1.5 m wider, had 30% larger cargo capacity, 6 cyl. 2700 hp diesel instead of 4 cyl. 1800 hp diesel, more high speed, more fuel tanks, ice strengthening of the hull)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f350_3.jpg (WWII photo from US recon plane)
Regards, BP
Unfortunately, as we've discussed this above, US submarines sank 7 Soviet civil ships in 1941-1945 by mistake (6 cargo ships (28684 brt) and 1 fishing ship - 128 men including 21 women and 3 children were lost). May be US recon planes began to take such photos after some of those incidents, which caused big political scandals, showed incoordination and bad joint planning of naval operations/sea routes, and often talks among crewmembers of Soviet patrol boats and destroyers to sink US submarines by "mistake".
Here are some photos of Soviet-built multipurpose cargo diesel ships of "Max Hoelz"-class (I, II series) and "KIM"-class (III, IV series), which were built by North Shipyard in Leningrad (8 ships in 4 series, 1931-1936, 3972 GRT and 5114 GRT). DGMP used 3 such ships: "Friedrich Engels", "Vladimir Mayakovskij" ("Bela Kun") and "KIM".
1. "Friedrich Engels" served in DGMP in 1940-1945. The ship participated in Polar convoys during WWII (PQ-9, QP-8, QP-15, single runs), was given to Black Sea State Steamship Company in 1945.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f758_1.jpg
2. "Vladimir Mayakovskij" ("Bela Kun") served in DGMP in 1940-1967. The ship was received from Black Sea State Steamship Company; removed from service in 1967.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f172_1.jpg
3. "KIM" served in DGMP in 1939-1970. The ship was given to the Ministry of Fishery in 1970.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f350_1.jpg (navigation along Kamchatka-Japan line)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f350_2.jpg (ships of the IIIrd and IVth series were 10 m longer and 1.5 m wider, had 30% larger cargo capacity, 6 cyl. 2700 hp diesel instead of 4 cyl. 1800 hp diesel, more high speed, more fuel tanks, ice strengthening of the hull)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f350_3.jpg (WWII photo from US recon plane)
Regards, BP
Thanks for sharing this link with us BIGpanzer. I managed to find some information that we had searched previously.BIGpanzer wrote:Very fortunately I found an excellent source of photos of Soviet merchant ships (database of Far-Eastern Steamship Company, DGMP register) - http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... econd.html
For example we discussed the possibility that BALKASH might still be in Vladivostok, however this site confirms that she was scrapped in the late-70's.
Also, SMOLNJI and KRILJON were both used as accommodation ships since 1975 and respectively renamed MORSKAJA III and MORSKAJA I. (MORSKAJA II was the ex-JAKUTIA.)
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mjbollinger
- Member
- Posts: 238
- Joined: 14 Sep 2005, 02:23
- Location: Great Falls, VA
Photos
BP,
Americans did indeed take photos of Soviet ships in U.S. ports. These photos were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard -- not the U.S. Navy -- and are available in the U.S. archives in College Park, MD. A few appear in my book on the Dal'stroi fleet. I've never seen any published anywhere else.
By the way, the U.S. continued to take photos of merchant ships well into the 1980s, mostly from P-3 surveillance aircraft in the Pacific. Many are of Soviet ships. These photos were about to be discarded when one of the former intelligence analysts, then an Admiral in the US Navy with an interest in ships, decided to rescue them. He is now in the process of scanning and cataloguing these photos. I've seen a few of them (this person works for my company) and they are interesting. For example, there are photos of KIM taken months before the ship was taken off roster and scrapped.
MB
Americans did indeed take photos of Soviet ships in U.S. ports. These photos were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard -- not the U.S. Navy -- and are available in the U.S. archives in College Park, MD. A few appear in my book on the Dal'stroi fleet. I've never seen any published anywhere else.
By the way, the U.S. continued to take photos of merchant ships well into the 1980s, mostly from P-3 surveillance aircraft in the Pacific. Many are of Soviet ships. These photos were about to be discarded when one of the former intelligence analysts, then an Admiral in the US Navy with an interest in ships, decided to rescue them. He is now in the process of scanning and cataloguing these photos. I've seen a few of them (this person works for my company) and they are interesting. For example, there are photos of KIM taken months before the ship was taken off roster and scrapped.
MB
Thanks for the info, Marty!
Dido, as for the Soviet-built cargo-passenger diesel ships of "Andrey Zhdanov"-class (so called "London reefers"), DGMP used one ship from six (were built in 3 series by North Shipyard in Leningrad, 1925-1930, 3741 GRT) - "Smolny".
Those ships were developed for Leningrad-London line (transportation butter and eggs from Russia, passengers of Ist & IInd classes and foreign tourists - 28 + 32 + 240 men). They were built according to the highest standards of British Lloyd and Register of USSR, had refrigerator compartments for supply transportation and very comfortable passenger cabins and restaurant, decorated by famous French and Russian designers with the most expensive sorts of wood and carpets. The arrival of the first Soviet refrigerator ship of the class ("Andrey Zhdanov") to London in 1928 made a sensation and increased the status of young Soviet merchant navy a lot, as nobody expected that Soviet Russia could produce excellent ocean ships just in several years after destructive revolution and civil war.
"Smolny" served in DGMP in 1939-1975; the ship transported Soviet diplomatic delegation to the first conference of UN in San Francisco in April 1945, for that "Smolny" was equipped with powerful 15 kWt radio station, diesel-generator and parabolic antenna for the direct connection with Moscow via Khabarovsk, 17 radio operators and engineers operated the radio station. In 1975 the ship was referred to Nakhodka port and renamed as floating hotel "Morskaya-3".
All other ships of the class were used as hospital ships, submarine depot ships, minelayers by Baltic Navy and North Navy during WWII.
Photos of refrigerator ship "Smolny":
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f662_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f662_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f662_3.jpg
Dido, as for the Soviet-built cargo-passenger diesel ships of "Andrey Zhdanov"-class (so called "London reefers"), DGMP used one ship from six (were built in 3 series by North Shipyard in Leningrad, 1925-1930, 3741 GRT) - "Smolny".
Those ships were developed for Leningrad-London line (transportation butter and eggs from Russia, passengers of Ist & IInd classes and foreign tourists - 28 + 32 + 240 men). They were built according to the highest standards of British Lloyd and Register of USSR, had refrigerator compartments for supply transportation and very comfortable passenger cabins and restaurant, decorated by famous French and Russian designers with the most expensive sorts of wood and carpets. The arrival of the first Soviet refrigerator ship of the class ("Andrey Zhdanov") to London in 1928 made a sensation and increased the status of young Soviet merchant navy a lot, as nobody expected that Soviet Russia could produce excellent ocean ships just in several years after destructive revolution and civil war.
"Smolny" served in DGMP in 1939-1975; the ship transported Soviet diplomatic delegation to the first conference of UN in San Francisco in April 1945, for that "Smolny" was equipped with powerful 15 kWt radio station, diesel-generator and parabolic antenna for the direct connection with Moscow via Khabarovsk, 17 radio operators and engineers operated the radio station. In 1975 the ship was referred to Nakhodka port and renamed as floating hotel "Morskaya-3".
All other ships of the class were used as hospital ships, submarine depot ships, minelayers by Baltic Navy and North Navy during WWII.
Photos of refrigerator ship "Smolny":
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f662_1.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f662_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f662_3.jpg
That was cargo-passenger ship (built in 1897/98 in UK for Russia) indeed. It was used in the beg.XX c. as the ship for north navigations (transported supplies, hunters, scientific equipment, administration officers); home port - Arkhangelsk. "Sergey Vitte" towed Russian submarine No.2 (type 27-B) from Arkhangelsk to Murmansk, when the strong storm broke towrope and destroyed that submarine 15.10.1915. The ship participated (together with 5 other transports and 3 icebreakers as Arkhangelsk unit) in the famous Kara Sea expedition, 1921 to prove the possible winter sea navigations to Siberia; also participated in Pechora expedition in 1929. The ship was used by North Steamship Company in 1920s-1930s, was damaged by strong ice in Barents Sea in 1934 but rescued.
"Kanin" had the name "Sergey Vitte" till 21.02.1920 and the name "Proletariy" till 08.09.1921.
Minelayer "Kanin" (ZM-91) (that cargo-passenger ship, mobilized 07.1941 and reequipped into minelayer by "Krasnaya Kuznitsa" Arkhangelsk shipyard) was used by North Navy since 08.1941. She mined White Sea (Kandalaksha Bay) in 1941, also escorted transports with Soviet troops in convoy (run Arkhangelsk-Kem', transportation of 88th infantry division to the front) in August 1941. 08.1942 the ship was disarmed and reclassified into transport. In October 1942 "Kanin" collided at night with barge, towed by sea tug (barge with 5 crewmembers sank, the nose part of "Kanin" was damaged but her captain could suppress the truth to avoid arrest). "Kanin" participated in Polar runs during the whole 1943, 12.1943 the ship was given to Sevgosrybtrest (North State Fish Company) after reequipment in Arkhangelsk.
1163 t, 60x8.5x5.4 m, 550 hp steam engine, 10 knots, 1x76.2mm + 1x20mm + 2x2x7.62mm MGs as minelayer.
"Kanin" had the name "Sergey Vitte" till 21.02.1920 and the name "Proletariy" till 08.09.1921.
Minelayer "Kanin" (ZM-91) (that cargo-passenger ship, mobilized 07.1941 and reequipped into minelayer by "Krasnaya Kuznitsa" Arkhangelsk shipyard) was used by North Navy since 08.1941. She mined White Sea (Kandalaksha Bay) in 1941, also escorted transports with Soviet troops in convoy (run Arkhangelsk-Kem', transportation of 88th infantry division to the front) in August 1941. 08.1942 the ship was disarmed and reclassified into transport. In October 1942 "Kanin" collided at night with barge, towed by sea tug (barge with 5 crewmembers sank, the nose part of "Kanin" was damaged but her captain could suppress the truth to avoid arrest). "Kanin" participated in Polar runs during the whole 1943, 12.1943 the ship was given to Sevgosrybtrest (North State Fish Company) after reequipment in Arkhangelsk.
1163 t, 60x8.5x5.4 m, 550 hp steam engine, 10 knots, 1x76.2mm + 1x20mm + 2x2x7.62mm MGs as minelayer.
And that DGMP database, I've mentioned several times above, contains also the excellent photos of one of the most famous types of Soviet-built merchant ships - large timber diesel ships of "Volgoles"-class (15 were built in 1930-1935 by Admiralty Shipyard and North Shipyard in Leningrad, 4171 GRT, + 2 were reequipped into ore-carriers in 1936 by Nikolaev Shipyard). DGMP used 6 timber ships of that class: "Komiles", "Sevzaples", "Kuznets Lesov" ("Severoles"), "Clara Zetkin", "Maxim Gorky", "Stary bolshevik".
1. "Komiles" served in DGMP in 1933-1935, 1940-1948 - the ship was given to Baltic Sea State Steamship Company in 1935 and was returned back to DGMP in 1940. The ship was armed with 1 gun and 6 MGs, participated in Polar convoys during WWII (PQ-5, PQ-18, QP-13, QP-15, JW-53) - transported 27 aircraft, 35 tanks, 1000 t of ammunition, 700 t of fuel; knocked down 2 German torpedo bombers during PQ-18 navigation, for example. "Komiles" was lost near Kuril Islands in 1948 (hit a rock in foggy weather).
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f363_1.jpg
2. "Sevzaples" served in DGMP in 1933-1972. The ship participated in Polar convoys during WWII (PQ-12, QP-1, QP-10), removed from service in 1972.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f638_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f638_1.jpg
3. "Kuznets Lesov" served in DGMP in 1934-1935, the ship was given to Baltic Sea State Steamship Company in 1935. The ship was lost during WWII in 1942 (convoy PQ-15, torpedoed by U-601).
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f399_1.jpg
4. "Clara Zetkin" served in DGMP in 1954-1970. The ship was given to the Ministry of Fisheries in 1970.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f354_1.jpg (a very interesting WWII-period photo - note the locomotives transportation from USA to USSR; also AA guns/MGs on board): "Maxim Gorky", "Sevzaples", "Komiles" and "Clara Zetkin" were reequipped for the transportation of locomotives in US Portland under the supervision of Soviet engineers. Each ship could take 18 locomotives with auxiliary tanks, large timber ships of that class were the most convenient for such purpose as they didn't have tween deck.
5. "Maxim Gorky" served in DGMP in 1940-1971, removed from service in 1971.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f437_1.jpg
6. "Stary bolshevik" served in DGMP in 1942-1969, the ship was received from Baltic Sea State Steamship Company. "Stary bolshevik" made 5 runs in Polar convoys during WWII, removed from service in 1969.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f679_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f679_3.jpg
1. "Komiles" served in DGMP in 1933-1935, 1940-1948 - the ship was given to Baltic Sea State Steamship Company in 1935 and was returned back to DGMP in 1940. The ship was armed with 1 gun and 6 MGs, participated in Polar convoys during WWII (PQ-5, PQ-18, QP-13, QP-15, JW-53) - transported 27 aircraft, 35 tanks, 1000 t of ammunition, 700 t of fuel; knocked down 2 German torpedo bombers during PQ-18 navigation, for example. "Komiles" was lost near Kuril Islands in 1948 (hit a rock in foggy weather).
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f363_1.jpg
2. "Sevzaples" served in DGMP in 1933-1972. The ship participated in Polar convoys during WWII (PQ-12, QP-1, QP-10), removed from service in 1972.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f638_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f638_1.jpg
3. "Kuznets Lesov" served in DGMP in 1934-1935, the ship was given to Baltic Sea State Steamship Company in 1935. The ship was lost during WWII in 1942 (convoy PQ-15, torpedoed by U-601).
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f399_1.jpg
4. "Clara Zetkin" served in DGMP in 1954-1970. The ship was given to the Ministry of Fisheries in 1970.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f354_1.jpg (a very interesting WWII-period photo - note the locomotives transportation from USA to USSR; also AA guns/MGs on board): "Maxim Gorky", "Sevzaples", "Komiles" and "Clara Zetkin" were reequipped for the transportation of locomotives in US Portland under the supervision of Soviet engineers. Each ship could take 18 locomotives with auxiliary tanks, large timber ships of that class were the most convenient for such purpose as they didn't have tween deck.
5. "Maxim Gorky" served in DGMP in 1940-1971, removed from service in 1971.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f437_1.jpg
6. "Stary bolshevik" served in DGMP in 1942-1969, the ship was received from Baltic Sea State Steamship Company. "Stary bolshevik" made 5 runs in Polar convoys during WWII, removed from service in 1969.
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f679_1.jpgThe crew of timber ship “Stary bolshevik” (“Old communist” in some sources) became famous after the heroic navigation in May 1942 (convoy PQ-16). The ship (armed with 3 AA guns, 4 heavy MG and 2 "Maxim" MG) went from Boston to North Russia, transporting 5000 t of shells, bombs and explosives. It was attacked by 9 German bombers and was heavily damaged by bomb. The ship was enveloped in flames and monstrous explosion (5000 t of explosions on board, first nuclear bomb corresponded to 15000-20000 t!) could be happen every second. British destroyer could take wounded Soviet sailors from lifeboats, but the rest Soviet crew (many of the crew members were women) decided to save the ship and remained on board under the new German attacks (total 47 air attacks during the navigation!). The convoy left the doomed ship. But crew (captain I. Afanasiev,. wounded) could repair the diesel, rudder control, extinguished the strong fire and even brought down the German bomber and damage German submarine by the ship light artillery and MG fire. In three days the burnt ship with completely destroyed superstructures and masts could came up with convoy. The British convoy commander commodor Perry was amazed with the heroism of Soviet sailors from “Old communist” and immediately radioed about that to London, all ships from the convoy saluted to Soviet sailors. The captain, mate and steersman of "Stary bolshevik" became the Heroes of Soviet Union and was awarded with highest British orders also (captain and chief engineer)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f679_2.jpg
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f679_3.jpg
