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SOVIET NAVY (USSR)

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KRONSHTADT battlecruisers (project 69)

Kronshtadt

Project history: Designing of heavy (really battle) cruiser under the project 69 has been fulfilled by TsKB-17 (till January, 1937 TsKBS-1). During works it was found out what the planned displacement (23000t) it was impossible: it was necessary to exclude torpedoes, to drop the speed (originally 34kts) and to shrink ammunition stowage. The Basic design 69 was completed in June, 1938. Standard displacement in comparison with requirements specification has increased to 24450t, speed was a little decreased to 33.3kts. Protection was sacrificed to high speed: the 140mm main belt, 210mm transverse bulkheads, 210mm barbettes, 80mm middle and 20mm low decks. When elements of Scharnhorst class battlecruisers built in Germany became known, Committee of Defense in the end of June, 1938 has made a decision to include to the tasks of designed cruisers operations against these German opponents. 10.7.1938 the Basic technical development plans on designing of a heavy cruiser of project 69 have been approved. The main calibre was increased to 305mm, standard displacement was limited by 31000t and speed was 32kts.

   New variant of a basic design was submitted 20.10.1938. On the conclusion of Management of shipbuilding, it had a number of significant lacks for which correction the special commission has been created. Following advisories became a result of its work: to replace 130mm guns by 152mm ones, to strengthen armour and underwater protection at the expense of decrease in an endurance and to leave maximal speed without changes. At preparing of the corrected basic design of the remark have considered, have thus strengthened protection of a conning tower and turrets of the main and medium guns. The length, breadth and a depth and, as consequence, displacement were slightly increased. The corrected basic design has been approved 13.7.1939. Orders were given out in March, 1939, delivery terms were established in 1943. 12.4.1940, in five months after laying, a ship engineering design was approved.
   Because of lagging in designing of main calibre guns in 1940 it has been decided to accept the offer of Krupp about delivery of turrets with 380mm guns. At the negotiations which have taken place soon the German party has expressed availability to put six complete sets of twin 380mm turrets (on two ships of the project 69) and fire control systems to them.

   The political decision on acquisition in Germany of 380mm turrets and fire control system was accepted without judgement of the Navy. 10.7.1940 it has been approved re-equipment requirement specification of the ship of project 69 with German 380mm turrets instead of 305mm MK-15 and German fire control systems. 16.10.1940 the project 69-I (I means foreign) was ready. Placing of new mounts has demanded considerable changes of general arrangement approximately on 40% of a length of the ship. All changes have led to increasing of standard displacement from 35250 to 36240t and drop of speed. In October, 1940 terms of completion were moved to 1944. In November, 1940 the contract on delivery of 380mm turrets and fire control systems was signed, however they were never shipped to the USSR.
   Building of Kronshtadt was suspended 10.9.1941 at 12% availability. During war the armour prepared for the ship partially was used for building of shore fortifications near Leningrad. After an end of the war ship completion on technical condition recognised as inexpedient, and she was broken up. By then availability of a cruiser made only 7%. Sevastopol 15.8.1941 at about 13% availability was captured by German troops. During occupation she was partially taken apart on metal. After liberation of Nikolaev availability of the ship have valued in 4%, at departure the German troops blown up a slipway, and completion was refused.

Ship protection:  Main belt between end barbettes was 5m high and inclined outside at 6°. Its thickness was 230mm. This belt was closed by 330mm fore and 260mm aft bulkheads. Flat 90mm upper deck connected with upper edge of main belt. 30mm splinter medium deck placed one level below, its thickness decreased to 15mm outside citadel. CT had 330-260mm sides and 125mm roof. Underwater protection of "American" system was 6m deep. Turrets had 330mm faces, 230mm sides and roofs, barbettes had 330mm sides above and 30mm under medium deck. Secondary barbettes had 75-50mm protection.

© Ivan Gogin, 2009-14