"Sharp-witted" - a ship of the Black Sea Fleet

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:47

The Russian fleet has many ships, but each one is close to the heart of the people. Because the crew are husbands, brothers, sons, grandchildren. The ships see off and look forward to returning. They surf the seas and oceans, go on diplomatic, humanitarian and military missions to other countries, participate in exercises. Many of these events are covered in the press, and publications are read to holes by relatives of military personnel. One of these "stars" of the media is "Sharp-witted" - a ship of the Black Sea Fleet.

Construction history

The operational-tactical task for the development of the vessel was received and approved by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy on March 14, 1956. Later, the project received the number 61. Perhaps because it was built at the shipyard named after 61 Communards in Nikolaev. It took almostten years. Construction began only in 1966. The ship of project 61 "Sharp-witted" was conceived for air defense of its ships from enemy aircraft and missiles, as well as for anti-submarine defense. Equipped for this with all the necessary weapons and radar installations.

The construction of the ship was completed in 1967, a year later it was checked and entered into the lists of the USSR Navy, and on October 21, the Sharp-witted, a large anti-submarine ship of project 61, was included in the Black Sea Fleet and began its service.

Project 61

The institute, which was involved in the sketching and design of the ship, considered various design solutions. For example, seven options for the placement of weapons were proposed. As a result, the weapon was placed in a linear pattern, which allows you to use all anti-aircraft guns at once from one side. This is very handy for a mass attack from the air. Anti-submarine missiles were removed from the ammunition load, but the supply of missiles was increased to 24. At first, the power plant was adopted as a boiler-turbine, but at the approval of the project it was proposed to consider the option with a gas turbine plant, which made it possible to reduce the displacement of the ship. The development of the world's first such large vessel with a gas turbine power plant, which is used in all sailing modes, has begun.

If in many countries special air defense systems are being developed for ships or air force technologies are used, then in the USSR they decided to rework the anti-aircraft missile launchers of the ground air defense forces. On the basis of land-based air defense systems, a new Volna launcher was created with a modified for the conditionslarge water control system, storage, supply and loading.

"Sharp-witted" is a ship unique in its design and space-planning solutions. To achieve the established technical characteristics, it was necessary to change the ship's hull, although initially it was taken according to the type of projects 50, 56 and 57 bis. The location of residential and office premises was accepted as standard, with the exception of command posts, a power plant room, officers' cabins, corridors and a dining room, the rules of modern warfare made special demands. These changes were made in accordance with anti-nuclear protection and the layout of weapons. Cabins and corridors were made closed, without natural light, the crew can get into any compartment of the ship without leaving the deck. The commander from his point could observe the underwater, surface and air situation and control all the combat systems of the ship.

Singing Frigate

"Sharp-witted" - a ship that received the nickname "Singing Frigate". He does not sing at all, does not perform romances, but his gas turbines sound very melodious. And when meeting the ship in the port or sending it, you can hear their sonorous overflow. It is unlikely that such an effect was conceived by the designers in advance, this is the will of chance. Now, even after many years, having forgotten all the merits of the ship, it will be remembered as the “Singing Frigate”

Modernization

Soon it will be half a century, as "Sharp-witted" is serving. Weapons change, new ones come into usematerials. Technology needs to be updated to remain effective. In 1990-1995, the ship underwent modernization according to project 01090. The MNK-300 marine non-acoustic complex was installed on the ship with an antenna in the form of a 300-meter cable behind the stern, which captures the trail of an enemy submarine. Also, instead of two RBU-1000, 8 guides for Uran anti-ship missiles were installed. New jamming installations, radar and anti-ship missile control systems were installed. Now it is not a large anti-submarine, but a patrol ship of the Black Sea Fleet "Sharp-witted", which can participate in all combat services.

Predecessor story

Have you ever wondered why ships have such names? It is possible that the original source can no longer be reached, but sometimes you can find very interesting stories. Here, for example, "Sharp-witted" - a ship that was built in 1967? Yes, not really. The fact is that "Sharp-witted" participated in the Second World War. Only it was not a large anti-submarine ship, but a destroyer. He participated in the war with Finland, and by 1941 was considered one of the best in the fleet.

From the water, he constantly shelled German positions in Estonia, was under repair in Leningrad and returned to Tallinn again. When making a breakthrough to Kronstadt, the Sharp-witted is the only destroyer that has fully retained its combat capability. He took a direct part in the defense of Leningrad from September to October 1941. He used his guns as artillery to shell enemy positions and participated in operations on the water.

Lastdestroyer operation Sharp-witted

An operation has begun to evacuate the garrison from the Hanko naval base. It was necessary to make a breakthrough from Kronstadt, by that time mined. The destroyer Smetlivy, along with the Severov, four minesweepers, four hunters and torpedo boats, was in the second breakthrough group. We reached Hanko without loss.

During the stay, the destroyer came under artillery fire, and her stern gun was damaged. On November 4, the ship, having received 560 people, lay down on the return course. The weather worsened, and it was difficult to pass the minefield. The ship was at the tail of the group, closer to the night the first mine exploded. The destroyer remained afloat, but lost speed. After short repairs, he continued to move and hit the second mine, detonated ammunition. The bow of the ship was torn off, she sank fifteen minutes later, along with the captain. The destroyer was left without a course and control, began to sink. The third mine tore off the stern. Boats and minesweepers came to the rescue and saved three and a half hundred people.

Turkish sailors incident

The news about the clash between Turkish fishermen and Russian sailors on January 13, 2015 spread all over the media. It was twisted in different ways. The Turks claim that they did not see any ship, they were moving on their own course, they did not hear any signals or shots, everything is in normal mode. Although how can you not see the "Sharp-witted" - the ship, the photo of which you see below? As reported from the patrol ship, in the Aegean Sea, a Turkish seiner appeared on the starboard side and went to ram. "Sharp-witted" was at anchor and began to give signals and go toradio contact, but no one answered. When 600 meters remained before the collision, shots from small arms were fired at a safe distance. After that, the Turkish seiner changed course and passed along the side at a distance of 540 meters.

Meeting the ship. Sevastopol

The Sharp-witted ship returns to the port of this legendary city, and is always welcome here. On the shore, preparations for the meeting begin in a few hours. People gather with flags of the Russian Navy, cameras and even fans' horns. Tourists specially come to see this event. When the ship enters the port, the crew line up along the side in full dress and greet their hometown to the sound of the song "Legendary Sevastopol".

Service

The ship participates in many Russian and international exercises, carries out escort and patrol service. Has a glorious track record and a fitting name. Because when you can’t win by force, you have to win with ingenuity, as Russian warriors have done since ancient times. She was the largest anti-submarine ship, and now she is an excellent patrol ship "Sharp". The photo, although it is only a flat picture, conveys part of his strength and pressure. Its mere appearance and combat power raise the morale of both the military and civilians.

Someone will consider this empty patriotism, but without patriotism a person will not fulfill his duty every day, to protectthe borders of the motherland, to be faithful to the oath and moral principles.