Hammerfest, Norway 11 August 2023
Norway-flagged, homeport Sandnessjoen, IMO 9632569, MMSI 257797000 and call sign LCUL. Laid down by AS Rīgas kuģu būvētava (Riga Shipyard), Riga, Latvia with yard number 137 on 15 September 2011, launched on 28 February 2012, completed on 14 September 2012 and fitted out/completed with yard number 190 by Aas Mek. Verksted AS, Vestnes, Norway. Owner Norks Fisketransport, Kolvereid, Norway and manager DBS Consultancy, Ottersoy, Norway.
The American Military Attaché at Riga, Latvia supplied in his report dated 13 June 1927 No. 5889 more details about the Soviet Commission of Naval Affairs which he received from a reliable source. The commission was attached to the RVS (Revolutionary Military Council or Revvoensovet/Revvoensovjet September 1918-20 June 1934) and consisted of Pantserzhanski (1), Domborvski, Stepanov (2), Galkin, Ordinski, Svitalski, Miller, Viktorov (3) and finally Haller.(4) The duties consisted of “the general supervision and control of all matters concerning the improvement of the Navy, the preparation of the Naval Budget, the granting of supplementary credits, the construction of naval harbors and shipbuilding wharves and the ordering of material abroad.”
Notes
1. Eduard Samuilowitsch Panzerschanski (30 September/12 October 1887 Liepaja, Latvia-26 September 1937 Kommunarka (Moscow), Russia), commander-in-chief of the Black Sea Fleet between 1925-1926.
2. Georgy Andreyevich Stepanov (18/30 November 1890 Kronstadt, Russia-3 January 1957 Leningrad, Soviet Union), served in the navy between 1908-1953?
3. Vladimir Alexandrovich Svitalsky (1904)?
4. Lev Mikhailovich Galler (17 O.S./29 November 1883 St. Petersburg, Russian Imperium-12 July 1950) born as Leo Julius Alexander Philipp von Haller, served in the navy between 1905-1948, commanded the battleship division of the Baltic Fleet after the Civil War, commander-in-chief of the Baltic Fleet between 1932-1937, chief of naval staff 1938-1940 and Deputy Commissar for the Navy responsible for the naval construction in 1940.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The information was received from the Latvian General Staff and considered to be reliable. In fact few was known dealing with the personnel of the Central Institutions except that the majority in authority were former naval officers already officers prior to the First World War. The descriptions of the officers were supplied by a former high officer of the Imperial Russian Navy which now stayed in Latvia. Former 2nd class cruiser. “Chief of the Petrograd Naval Base (April 1921); as an officer, fair; very good-natured and soft-hearted; of (?) character; medium abilities; commanded the minelayer Volga during the war [First World War].”
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The information was received from the Latvian General Staff and considered to be reliable. In fact few was known dealing with the personnel of the Central Institutions except that the majority in authority were former naval officers already officers prior to the First World War. The descriptions of the officers were supplied by a former high officer of the Imperial Russian Navy which now stayed in Latvia. Former 2nd class captain. In charge of the Schluesselberg coast batteries (April 1921); few abilities; given to intrigues; loves to make headway; was very unpopular in the squadron.”
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The American Military Attaché at Riga, Latvia supplied in his report dated 17 November 1925 No. 4896 the specifications of the planned aircraft carrier of which the Naval Staff approved the designs. He got the information from what he called a reliable source. With a deadweight of 7,550 tons and as dimensions 107 x 15.5 metres. The turbine propulsion delivered 9,500 hp allowing a speed of 20.8 knots. Twin screws. Fuel supply 500 tons. Fitted out with 2 elevators and 2 cranes for lifting the aircraft. The Military Attaché wrote that the specifications were the same as supplied by several other sources. The French Naval Attaché however made clear that for a ship with this tonnage the proposed 9,500 hp and a speed of 21 knots was impossible. The designs were presumably to be changed. Furthermore it was yet unknown is her engines were coal or oil fuelled.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The information was received from the Latvian General Staff and considered to be reliable. In fact few was known dealing with the personnel of the Central Institutions except that the majority in authority were former naval officers already officers prior to the First World War. The descriptions of the officers were supplied by a former high officer of the Imperial Russian Navy which now stayed in Latvia. Former senior lieutenant. “Commander of the Ladoga Lake Flotilla (April 1921); fair as an officer; few abilities.”
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
Andrei Pervozvanny-class battleships©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Armoured cruiser Rossia©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Admiral Makarov, Bayan-class armoured cruiser©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Armoured cruiser Gromoboi©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Bogatyr-class protected cruisers©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
A report from the American Military Observer at Riga, Latvia dated 17 February 1922 No. 2482 described the Russian Baltic fleet using information supplied by the Estonian General Staff. A number of seventeen ships were to be sold to be scrapped for iron: Andrei Pervozvanny, Pavel, Tzesarevich, Petr Velik I, Alexander II, Rossiya, Gromoboy, Diana, Bayan, Admiral Makarov, Bogatyr, Groziasday, Asia, Africa, Amour, Volga and Vodolei nomkr 1, the yachts Standart, Poliarnaya Zvezda and Tzarevich, 16 destroyers built between 1904-1907, artillery ship Ilmen and the submarines Ougorj and Keta. Identical to the ships which were intended to be sold to the German Navy in April 1922?
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
Tartu©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Built by Hungarian Shipyard&Crane Factory (Ganz-Danubius), Budapest, Hungary in 1960. Part of Tartu-clas. Principal dimensions 67.00 (between perpendiculars)-74.54 (over all) x 11.30 (moulded) x 5.32 (depth to main deck) x 24.50 height of mast acorn above main deck) feet. Owner Latvian Steamship Company.
Sevastopol©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
The information was received from the Latvian General Staff and considered to be reliable. In fact few was known dealing with the personnel of the Central Institutions except that the majority in authority were former naval officers already officers prior to the First World War. The descriptions of the officers were supplied by a former high officer of the Imperial Russian Navy which now stayed in Latvia. Former lieutenant. “Commander of the Sebastopol (January 1921).”(1)
Note
1. The Gangut-class battleship Sevastopol launched on 10 July 1911 was on 31 March 1921 renamed ParizhskayaKommuna, retaining her Original name on 31 May 1943. She joined the Kronstadt rebellion of March 1921.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 250316 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The American Military Attaché major George E. Arneman at Riga, Latvia wrote in his report dated 6 September 1930 No. 7572 referring to the newspaper Sevodnya of 30 August that the Revvoensoviet of the Baltic Fleet approved three working women in the service of the Baltic Fleet. These first women were Julija Vassiljeva, Vera Vassiljeva and Margarite Vezelova. The administration of the Bolshevist Navy raised the question of allowing more women to enter the navy for kitchen work and other administrative duties.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The American Military Attaché major George E. Arneman at Riga, Latvia referred in his report dated 16 November 1929 No. 7319 to the notes he received from the French Naval Attaché at Riga. He had been three years stationed at Riga and specialised in the Russian Baltic Fleet, being satisfied with his sources considered his notes as reliable. Arneman had no reason to disagree.
An item reported that the Soviet Union between 1921-1 January 1929 purchased 131 seaplanes abroad specified as follows:
1922 England 3
1923 Italy, Savoia 38
1924 Netherlands,Fokker D II 3 pursuit
Italy, Savoia 22
Italy, Isotta 8 pursuit
1925 Netherlands, Fokker, bombers 10
1926-1927 Italy, Savoia, bombers 45
1927 Germany, Junker B20, school 2
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The American Military Attaché major George E. Arneman at Riga, Latvia referred in his report dated 16 November 1929 No. 7319 to the notes he received from the French Naval Attaché at Riga. He had been three years stationed at Riga and specialized in the Russian Baltic Fleet, being satisfied with his sources considered his notes as reliable. Arneman had no reason to disagree.
An item reported the Russian State Aviation Works No. 11 at Odessa, Ukraine which produced land based air craft and seaplanes. Between 1925-end 1928 were 14 Savoia,4 Gregorovich, 3 Isotta seaplanes and 8 hydro gliders with 120hp Ron engines produced. Responsible for repairing aircraft in the Black Sea (area). Personnel numbered 4 engineers and 500 laborers.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The American Military Attaché major George E. Arneman at Riga, Latvia referred in his report dated 16 November 1929 No. 7319 to the notes he received from the French Naval Attaché at Riga. He had been three years stationed at Riga and specialised in the Russian Baltic Fleet, being satisfied with his sources considered his notes as reliable. Arneman had no reason to disagree.
An item reported the hydro-aeroplane Factory No. 10 at Taganrog which produced between 1924-end 1928 70 land based planes and of seaplanes 8-M20 with 185 hp BMW motor, 30-Isotta with 250 hp motors, 19-Savoaia 16 with 300 hp Fia motors and 31-Savoai 51 with 300hp Hispano motors. Personnel numbered 18 engineers, 9 chemists and 1,250 workmen.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The American Military Attaché major George E. Arneman at Riga, Latvia referred in his report dated 16 November 1929 No. 7319 to the notes he received from the French Naval Attaché at Riga. He had been three years stationed at Riga and specialised in the Russian Baltic Fleet, being satisfied with his sources considered his notes as reliable. Arneman had no reason to disagree.
An item reported that the Soviet Naval Air Force consisted of the 62nd and 66th detachments fitted out with seaplanes.
At Peterhof were on 1 January 1929 12 seaplanes, pursuit, M24 stationed
At Orienenbaum 16 seaplanes, scouts, Type Junkers W33 and W 34
At Grebnoy (island of Vasilievsky-Leningrad) 12 torpedo planes
On the Goutourievsky and Krestovsky islands (Leningrad) a squadron of the hydro-aviation school numbering 24 seaplanes, Junkers and Savoia
There should be at Archangel an observation squadron wit 24 seaplanes.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
The American Military Attaché major George E. Arneman at Riga, Latvia referred in his report dated 16 November 1929 No. 7319 to the notes he received from the French Naval Attaché at Riga. He had been three years stationed at Riga and specialised in the Russian Baltic Fleet, being satisfied with his sources considered his notes as reliable. Arneman had no reason to disagree.
An item reported that for the Baltic a Chief of Naval Air Forces and a Chief of Land Air Forces were appointed and subordinate for operations to the Chief of Naval Forces respectively the Commander of the Leningrad Military District.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
Marat. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
In his report dated Riga, Latvia 4 January 1939 No. 10295 dealing with the Soviet Baltic Fleet in the Training Season 1938 used the American Military Attaché major G.B. Guenther a so-called reliable source. The battleship Marat was lying during the whole spring in the outer dock at Kronstadt so not active.(1)
Note
1. Part of the Gangut-class, preceded by Andrei Pervozvanny class, succeeded by Imperatritsa Mariya class, laid down by Baltic Works, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 16 June 1909, launched on 22 September 1911, commissioned on 5 January 1915, renamed Marat on 31 March 1921, again Petropavlovsk on 31 May 1943, Volkhov on 28 November 1950 and broken up after September 1953.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
Kirov©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
The new half complete cruiser Kirov last season seen already active was for the first time seen on 12 May 1938 completed. In the winter were six long range anti aircraft guns mounted on both beams (2x3) of the af tunnel, fitted out with shields of unknown calibre. In the fore mast was fitted out with a rotating tower with 3 rangefinders, probably of 6 metres. No catapult sighted.(1)
Note
1. Part of Kirov- or Project 26-class light cruisers, sometimes also called Maxim Gorky-class, preceded by Admiral Nakhimov-class succeeded by Chapayev-class. Based on Italian Ansaldo Raimondo Montecuccoli-class. Laid down by Ordzhonikidze Yard, Leningrad, Russia with yard number 269 on 22 October 1935, launched on 30 November 1936, commissioned on 26 September 1938 and sold to be broken up on 22 February 1974. Displacement 7,890 (standard)-9,436 (full load) tons, speed 41.36 (trials)-35.94 knots and main armament 3x3-18cm/7.1”guns.
Gangut-class battleship©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
In his report dated Riga, Latvia 4 January 1939 No. 10295 dealing with the Soviet Baltic Fleet in the Training Season 1938 used the American Military Attaché major G.B. Guenther a so-called reliable source.The hull of the battleship Mikhail Frunze (ex-Poltava) was still lying on the same spot at the Baltic Shipyard, Leningrad. There was none information about her ultimate fate known: refitted or broken up.(1)
Note
1. Part of the Gangut- or Sevastopol-class preceded by Andrei Pervizvanny-class, succeeded by Imperatritsa Mariya-class, laid down by Admiralty Shipyard, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 16 June 1909, launched on 23 July 1911, commissioned on 30 December 1914, in Boshewik hands since 1917, decommissioned in October 1918, used as barracks ship, conversion into an aircraft carrier considered in 1924, proposal to commission her as floating battery and reconstructing her in time as battleship dated 31 January 1930, conversion into a floating battery cancelled on 9 July 1939, renamed Frunze on 7 January 1926, stricken on 1 December 1940 and broken up since 1949.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
An item reported that on 9 July the Latvian merchant ship Talvadis, tonnage 4,952 tons, loaded with ... , underway from ... to ... was sunk by a bomb dropped by an aircraft off Start Point, Of the crew were 12 men saved, 1 wounded. Part of small coastal convoy
Source
National Archive UK. CAB-66-9-42.
Marat©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
In his report dated Riga, Latvia 4 January 1939 No. 10295 dealing with the Soviet Baltic Fleet in the Training Season 1938 used the American Military Attaché major G.B. Guenther a so-called reliable source. In August participated the two battleships Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya(1) and Marat (2) in several exercises.
Notes
1. Part of Gangut-class preceded by Andrei Pervozvanny class succeeded by Imperatritsa Mariya class. Laid down by Admiralty Works, St. Petersburg, Russia on 16 June 1909, launched on 20 October 1911, commissioned on 11 January 1915, in Bolshevik hands in November 1917, laid up in 1918, renamed on 25 June 1925, modernized between 1931-1934, training ship since 24 July 1954, stricken in 1956 and breaking up started.
2. Part of the Gangut-class, preceded by Andrei Pervozvanny class, succeeded by Imperatritsa Mariya class, laid down by Baltic Works, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 16 June 1909, launched on 22 September 1911, commissioned on 5 January 1915, renamed Marat on 31 March 1921, again Petropavlovsk on 31 May 1943, Volkhov on 28 November 1950 and broken up after September 1953.
Source
National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.
