To protect the Russian naval bases in the southern part of Russky Island, not far from Novik Bay, the Voroshilov battery was built, named after the people's commissar of defense.
How it all began
The decision to build it was made in May 1931. But only in 1932 the terms of reference were approved. It was decided to build a two-tower battery No. 981. Until 1933, rock, concrete, and underground work was carried out. In February 1934, the first tower was completed, and already in April, the second. In November 1934, the Voroshilov battery was ready for firing exercises. N. V. Arsenyev was appointed its commander.
Features of the structure
For that time, the speed of construction was unprecedented. In addition, the Voroshilov battery, built in two years, is a unique structure. It has a convenient location and interior design. The Voroshilov battery is not visible from the sea. Therefore, in the event of an enemy attack, he would have to act blindly.
But the inside of the battery itself is not a very good view. "How do you defend yourself then?" - you ask. In fact, everything is very simple and at the same time cleverly invented. Fire is fired fromcommand posts located at points with excellent visibility. The first one is on Mount Vyatlina (height 107 m) 1575 m from the tower. The second is on Mount Main with a height of 279 meters. A cable was stretched from these posts to the battery, through which messages were transmitted.
Internal Unit
What is the Voroshilov battery? This underground structure is 15 meters deep. Imagine a five-story house that is underground. Only two towers rise above it, the thickness of which is 2.8 m. They are held underground by giant columns, around which mechanisms and premises are located. The thickness of the side and rear walls is 1.5 m, the front wall is 4 m.
The structure is able to protect even from air bombardments. He is also not afraid of chemical and bacteriological attacks.
It is not surprising that it has survived to this day, and the Voroshilov Battery Museum was founded in it. Artillery installations are located in each tower. They are not simple, but taken from the battleship Mikhail Frunze. The shells were lifted into the towers with the help of special mechanisms.
What else is there?
The building has three floors. On the first floor there are household and service premises. The second floor served as a storage of charges, the total number of which reached 1200. On the third floor, shells were stored, intended directly for use in hostilities. There could be about 600 of them.
To lift shells, the towers were equippedlifting device - hoist. They were fed to the guns along a monorail attached to the ceiling. An underground passage was dug between the two towers at a depth of 20 meters. It was also possible to go through a special passage from the third floor.
The lower part of the turret could be rotated for easy feeding of projectiles. This action was carried out with the help of electric motors. Electricity was connected from the island's power grid.
The people serving the tower also had clean water, because there was an artesian well under the battery. The turrets could also be rotated manually in case of power failure, although the battery had its own diesel power plant.
The number of personnel was 399 people. It took 75 people to service one tower.
If you are in Vladivostok, be sure to ask how to get to the Voroshilov battery. This unique building deserves our attention.
Combat power
This colossus gave such volleys that during the exercises the glass in the windows of the houses of nearby villages was knocked out by a blast wave. Therefore, residents strengthened them with mattresses.
But nevertheless, the accuracy with which the shots could be fired is amazing. In 1992, G. E. Shabot hit a small target - a barrel with a diameter of about 2 meters from a distance of about 10 kilometers. This was the last shot. A museum was founded here in 1998. Many are interested in whether the Voroshilov Battery (Vladivostok) is accessible for visiting. Museum opening hours: Wednesday - Sunday, from 9.00 to 17.00. Mondayand Tuesday are days off.
Out of work
The Voroshilov battery had the original purpose of protecting our lands from Japanese attacks. But it was already reinsurance. After all, the coast near Vladivostok had a complex relief. In addition, the city was under powerful artillery defense. Thus, the landing of troops or the approach of ships to the coast was impossible.
Japanese attempts to cut off Primorye from the entire USSR failed. They undertook them twice: in 1938 and 1939. Japan and the USSR signed a neutrality treaty, which was already in effect by the beginning of World War II. Therefore, the Voroshilov Battery did not have to take part in any military action.
Why was she needed? And then, to show all ill-wishers that we have something to answer for the illegal intrusion into the territory. Then the second question arises: “Why was the battery disbanded?” The answer is very simple: it has become an obsolete type of weapon. With the outbreak of hostilities, the enemy will simply destroy it. Indeed, in our time, targets can be hit at a distance of several hundred kilometers. In addition, its coordinates are known.
If you want to know where the Voroshilov battery is located, how to get to it, come to Russky Island, and there they will show you the direction.
It is a pity that such grandiose structures become a relic of the past. But once they were symbols of their time. But it does not stand still, and our homeland is protected by new modern weapons, which will also become simple over time.part of Russian history. Visit the Voroshilov Battery Museum while it is still open to the public.
