The -class minesweeper was a class of ships built for the Soviet Navy. They existed in two versions: Project 59 and Project 73K.
History Work on the -class began in 1938 and 1939 when numbers 370 and 363 were laid down in Leningrad.The first two ships were Vladimir Polukhin (T-250), for whom the class was named, and Vasiliy Gromov (T-254); they were completed in 1942 and 1943. They were supposed to be finished before World War II but there were delays in delivering turbines and boilers. The modified version, Project 73k, consisted of 20 ships laid down in 1941 at the number 201 yard at the Sevastopol Yard. None were finished during World War II, and only 15 ended up being completed afterwards. They were initially laid down with turbines but completed with diesels.
The class was designed to assume reconnaissance mine-sweeping in long range and far away areas. They also were supposed to assume mine warfare support for large squadrons. Some were active in the Baltic and Black Seas. Some were operated by the US Navy in lend-lease. All the ships were reclassified in 1956 as miscellaneous auxiliary vessels.
Specifications
Project 59 The Project 59 ships were 79.50 meters long overall, 8.10 meters wide, and 2.50 meters draft. They displaced 690 tons normally and 880 when fully loaded. They had two-shaft DK1 geared steam turbines, 2 boilers, and could make 8000 horsepower. Top speed was 22.5 knots. They carried two 100mm/54 B-24BMs, one 45mm/43 21K, three 37mm/63 70Ks, two 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mk IV, four 12.7mm/79, 2 DCR (depth charge racks) with another 20 in store, and 20 mines. Their crew was 125 persons.
Project 73k The Project 73k ships 78.60 meters long, 8.10 meters wide, and 2.48 meters draft. They displaced 703 tons normally and 863 when fully loaded. They had two-shaft GM diesel engines and could make 3200 horsepower. Top speed was 17 knots. They carried two 85mm/52 90Ks, four 37mm/73 70Ks, four 12.7mm/79 HMGs, 2 DCTs, and 20 mines. Their crew was 118 persons.
Ships ProjectNameDesignationLaunched59Vladimir PolukhinT-25030 March 194059Vasiliy GoromovT-25431 March 194073kPavel KhokhryakovT-25131 March 194073kAleksandr PetrovT-252November 194073kKarl ZedinT-253November 194073kAndrian ZasimovT-25515 September 194073kVladimir TrefolevT-2563 December 194073kTimofey UlyantsevT-25729 May 194073kMikhail MartynovT-25830 May 194173kFiodor MitrofanovT-25930 May 194173kLuka PankovT-260Spring 194173kPavlin VinogradovT-261July 194173kStepan GriadushkoT-262Prior to Siege of Leningrad73kSemion PelikhovT-263Prior to Siege of Leningrad73kPavel GolovinT-4508 February 194073kIvan BorisovT-45131 December 193973kSergey ShuvalovT-452194173kSergey ShuvalovT-45316 January 194173kIvan SladkovT-45420 March 194173kNikolay MarkinT-455N/A, lost at slipway
References