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Minsk 1940

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate	Modification
Минск [Minsk]		471	190 Zhdanov Yd, Leningrad	10.1934	6.11.1935	2.1939	TS 7.1951, training hulk 4.1953	project 38
Серго Орджоникидзе [Sergo Ordzhonikidze] (ex-Орджоникидзе [Ordzhonikidze], ex-Киев [Kiev]), 9.1940- Баку [Baku]		267	198 Marti Yd, Nikolayev // 199 Yd, Komsomolsk-on-Amur	1.1935 // 3.1936	25.7.1938	12.1939	target 4.1958	project 38bis
Тбилиси [Tbilisi] (ex-Тифлис [Tiflis])		268	198 Marti Yd, Nikolayev // 199 Yd, Komsomolsk-on-Amur	1.1935 // Summer 1936	24.7.1939	12.1940	target 4.1958	project 38bis

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	1952
Displacement full, t	2597
Length, m	127.5
Breadth, m	11.7
Draught, m	4.14 mean 4.18 max
No of shafts	3
Machinery	3 geared steam turbines sets, 3 water-tube triangle boilers
Power, h. p.	66000
Max speed, kts	36
Fuel, t	oil 621
Endurance, nm(kts)	2100(20)
Armament	5 x 1 - 130/50 B-13, 3 x 1 - 76/52 34K, 2 x 1 - 45/43 21K, 6 x 1 - 12.7/79, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 2 DCR (25), 76 mines
Electronic equipment	Mars hydrophone
Complement	250

Graphics

Project history

First combat ships designed and built in the USSR after a long-term break, called by revolution and civil war. The design assignment of the first Soviet destroyer leader has been approved 1.11.1928 (preliminary works were conducted since 1925). It provided creation of large ship, on armament and speed exceeding as available Noviks, and the majority foreign destroyers. The basic project 1 was approved in February, 1930, and in the end of 1932 under it building of 2 ships for Black Sea Fleet and 1 for Baltic Fleet was begun.     Hulls of project 1 leaders differed by considerable slenderness, sharp stern streamlines, and also absence of propeller shafts A-brackets: they were replaced by so-called "trousers". Triple-shaft machinery was placed en echelon in five compartments. It has predetermined a characteristic outline profile with two widely placed funnels and a high fore superstructure. Leaders received new B-13 130mm/50 guns, but their long-term development has delayed commission of ships. Besides, gun No3 was placed unsuccessfully and had limited arcs of fire. Fire control system was Italian by Galileo. 533mm TTs were applied for the first time in the Russian / Soviet Navy. The original project provided seaplane, but later it was refused.

On trials all ships have significantly exceeded a designed speed. Leningrad has shown 43kts at 2225t and 67250hp; Moskva 43.57kts at 2330t and 77725hp. However the insufficient hull strength, crankiness and bad manoevreability on low speed were been revealed. In a result, after formal commission Leningrad 2 years spent at the shipyard for elimination of defects. Following 3 ships (Minsk, Kiev and Tiflis) were built under improved project 38. The basic differences consisted in more full stern form and application of usual A-brackets for propeller shafts. On the speed they yielded to predecessors, having shown on trials 40-40.7kts.

In January, 1949 ships were re-rated as destroyers.

Modernizations

1941, Minsk: - 2 x 1 - 45/43; + 6 x 1 - 37/63 70K

1941, Tbilisi: - 2 x 1 - 45/43; + 4 x 1 - 37/63 70K

1942, Baku: - 2 x 1 - 45/43; + 6 x 1 - 37/63 70K, 4 x 2 - 12.7/90

1943, Baku: - 4 x 2 - 12.7/90, 2 x 1 - 12.7/79; + 5 x 1 - 37/63 70K

1944, Minsk: + 1 x 2 - 76/52 81K, 2 x 1 - 37/63 70K

1944, Tbilisi: + 4 x 1 - 37/63 70K

1944- 1945, presumably all: + type 285, SG radars

1954, Baku; 1955, Tbilisi: were armed with 5 x 1 - 130/51 B-13, 4 x 2 - 37/70 V-11, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 2 DCT, 2 DCR (67), 76 mines, Giuys-1, Rif-1, Vympel-2 radars, Tamir-5N sonar; max speed was 34 - 35kts.

Naval service

To the beginning of Great Patriotic War Minsk served on Baltic, Baku and Tbilisi on Pacific, but Baku in 1942 has passed to the Northern Fleet.    Minsk 23.9.1941 was sunk by German aircraft in Kronstadt harbour; salvaged in August, 1942 and in November commissioned again.