Wardroom. Ship personnel

/The material was awarded the regional award “Journalist of the Year 2011” ( Kaliningrad region)/.

The wardroom is called business card ship.
How is food and leisure time organized for officers on the Baltic Fleet patrol ship "Yaroslav the Wise"? Shared their thoughts about wardrooms
not only those who serve, but also Navy veterans.

In any dictionary you will read that the wardroom is a ship's public space for meals, meetings and collective recreation of the command staff. The first of the rooms that appeared on the ship during the sailing fleet. Provided for all sea ​​vessels, except for small-tonnage ones, is located near the living quarters of command personnel. The area is chosen based on at least 1.4 - 1.5 sq.m. for 1st place. The term comes from a combination of words: from the Dutch language - “kajuit” - “cabin” and French - “compagnie” - “society”.

Into the fog

...It's foggy outside. Order is being restored in the military harbor. Remove fallen leaves from the quay walls. TFR "Yaroslav the Mudry" is moored to the destroyer "Bespokoiny". Once upon a time, this destroyer had the opportunity to attend the International Exercises "Baltops-2001". Then for the first time I encountered the customs and traditions of the wardroom in the Baltic Fleet... Still, I do not serve on a ship. And then, in 2001, I truly appreciated the importance of the ship's wardroom.
***
I also remember my own cadet memories of my internship at the Red Caucasus BOD at the Black Sea Fleet in the late 80s. Being on last year Naval School, we were already allowed to have lunch and dinner in the midshipman's wardroom. This is one of the most pleasant memories of that time. But now, going to the Yaroslav the Wise SKR, I thought that I could find out something about the wardroom?
Commander patrol ship“Yaroslav the wise” captain 2nd rank Alexey Ivanovich Suglobov - in a clean, ironed shirt, in business and worries, he greeted us warmly. The wardroom is his strong point. For many years before joining the new ship, which is the Yaroslav the Wise, launched about four years ago, he was a senior mate on both the Eskers and large landing ships... And, as you know, the first mate is responsible for the wardroom. Since the first mate of the Yaroslav the Wise, Captain 3rd Rank R. Drozdov, was not on the ship (he was on vacation), the commander took over his function.
- This is not only a place for officers to eat, it is also a place for spending time and leisure, especially when the ship is at sea. This is communication between officers. – It seemed that Alexey Ivanovich wanted to read everything from the textbook. - The specificity of ship service is such that some officers are rarely seen on the ship, because some have a combat post in the stern, others have a bow. They live in different cabins. It is sometimes difficult to find an officer on a ship, but you can always find him in the wardroom. And communicate with him... And if you need to make some official decision, then a general meeting is held. The wardroom is intended primarily for gathering officers. But you can also spend your personal time here - watch TV, play backgammon, chess. We have purchased a satellite dish and installed equipment for general viewing of films. The ship is modern. Seven stationary televisions. Including one in the wardroom.
Everything that the commander talks about can be found on any ship in the fleet. Well, or almost anyone. Unless stationary televisions are more of a novelty than a common occurrence. The commander has the same one in his cabin.
- In the wardroom, meetings are held, tests are taken, because in fact, this is the largest room where officers can gather, there is also a wardroom for midshipmen, equipped with almost everything the same as an officer’s ward. It is smaller... The uniform for being in the wardroom, as a rule, is cream shirts and a tie. No one should come wearing flip-flops, much less a T-shirt. Each officer has his own place, which is indicated on the layout of officers in the wardroom. The time allotted for eating is also indicated here. This diagram is hung on the door of the wardroom - the commander conducts an “educational program”. I listen and think about it. Maybe someone should know these things.
If you take a closer look at the layout of the officers in the wardroom, you will notice: it indicates that the ship’s commander’s chair is at the head of the table next to the ship’s emblem. Opposite, at the other end of the table is the chair of the ship's chief mate. There is a designated place for guests - on the right hand of the commander. By the way, I was sitting here when I had lunch with the officers at the Yaroslav the Wise ICR.
...And so the commander leaves for a few minutes on business, I take out the book by V. Dygalo “The Fleet of the Russian State. Where and what happened in the fleet.” Well, for example, he writes that “the wardroom on a ship, as stated in the charter, “should serve as a place for close communication between officers and cultural center, contributing to the education of officers, the development of common views on issues of naval combat, combat training and the organization of ship service.” According to established naval custom, officers in the wardrooms were seated at the table strictly according to seniority. At the head of the table was a senior officer, to his right was the next-ranking officer, and to his left was a senior mechanical engineer. Then came senior specialists and then, also in order of seniority in military ranks, junior specialists, watch commanders, watch officers and mechanics. This placement created an atmosphere of respect and subordination, highlighting the “senior” and “junior” (as they used to say back then, “back”) ends of the table. All this allowed the senior officer to feel supported in table conversations by senior specialists. And now the places in the wardroom are just as strictly assigned by the senior assistant commander. The special concern of the senior officer, who, according to naval law, was considered the owner of the ship's wardroom, was the creation of a special microclimate among the officers, the establishment there, as they once said, of Esprit de Corps (spirit of corporatism). According to famous Russian admirals, this cohesion largely ensured victory in any battle and the successful solution of the most difficult tasks assigned to the ship."
Great thoughts, right?
“We have maintained the tradition of appointing heads of the wardroom,” continues Alexey Suglobov, having returned. - Here is his notebook, where he enters all expenses for maintenance and purchases. No one will have the slightest doubt that something like this should happen. And this is a tradition that has been around for many years. I came to the ship in March and started this notebook. And before that she was not here. Well, for example, we are going to military service. You need to eat well at sea. You need to have a good drinking water. We decided to install water purification filters. Where can I get the money for this? Now, this can only be solved together. The kitchen was also redecorated. We bought a new set of knives. Each is intended for a separate type of product. We have renovated our wardroom. It used to be a bit cramped. They took down some partitions. Expanded the space. The only thing we cannot do is increase the width of the dining tables. But they are narrow, and because of this they are not very comfortable. You can't put an extra plate. And I want there to be flowers, and bread bins, and bowls with mayonnaise and ketchup... Maybe this is a trait of my character. I love to eat beautifully and well. Beautiful! And this is table setting, cooking. A person should receive not only physical satisfaction from lunch, but also aesthetic pleasure. At lunch we have snow-white napkins on the tables. New dishes. If I eat here four times a day, I want it to be not only tasty, but also beautiful. That's how I was taught. I was also once the head of the wardroom. I also created the menu. Monitored the progress of food preparation. I am convinced that there should be at least three snacks. So we have two salads, and fish, lard, sausage, or cheese... I like to cook myself. My favorite first course is bean soup, and my favorite hot course is meat dishes. The meat must be cooked in the oven. Here on the ship I never had the opportunity to cook myself, but on other ships I did. He showed me how to do it. When you cook, you relax. This is a kind of unloading. I love making salads. But at home, the wife does most of the cooking,” says the commander.
And then he leads to the kitchen. There is a large refrigerator, an electric meat grinder, a new stove, and also a washing machine and a boiler. While at sea, officers can safely wash clothes without waiting for water, which, as is known, is supplied on a ship according to a schedule and is an important component of life support. This is why, for example, the captain of a ship does not use his washing machine, installed in his cabin according to the project, because it requires a lot of water consumption. But in the wardroom, where the washing machine was installed independently, providing it with its own water intake, it’s a different matter. The kitchen area is lined with white siding, easy to clean. There is also new trim in the midshipman's wardroom. There are tiles on the floor. Fine! Cozy, clean. I also like the doors on the ship. They are not iron, as on many ships, but wooden. This is also a special chic. Here in the wardroom there is a beautiful wooden door.

The team should drink tea.

When the officers gather for lunch and dinner, the first mate comes to me and reports. They invite you to the table. Evening tea most often passes without my participation. I can stay and drink tea in my cabin. Every evening we bake something for tea. There is a menu,” notes captain 2nd rank A. Suglobov.
The commander has his own cup holder for tea. Everyone knows about this, and no one except him takes this cup holder. In general, drinking tea from glasses with cup holders is a good and kind tradition. True, it is not observed on all ships. At many, porcelain mugs without handles are displayed for tea. But anyone who understands tea understands the significance of these glass holders. Especially if they are... cupronickel, like the commander’s, with gilding. Or - silver.
I remember a trip in 2006 on one of the ships of the Baltic Fleet to the Mediterranean Sea, when the command for evening tea was given, but no one came out to see him. The messenger put mugs on the table, took out kilograms of butter, and stacks of unleavened bread. And then he put it all back. At 21:00 at sea, the wardroom was empty and dull. The officers drank tea each in their own cabin.
And there was no time for cup holders: what nonsense, really. So, tea in a glass holder is a kind of ritual. Remember the train. Clinking glasses in cup holders in the hands of the conductor symbolize a certain community that unites each passenger. And for some reason the tea tastes better in them. Same thing on the ship. At the Yaroslav the Wise SKR, to make evening tea enjoyable, they bake buns, buy cookies, and jam. Many years ago, when I was on the Red Caucasus ship at the Black Sea Fleet in the late 80s, it was nice to see with what reverence evening tea was held. Then the World Football Championship was going on, and there was no place to fall near the TV. Laughter, jokes. And the personality is in full view. This was in Soviet times, but then this spirit of community and unity disappeared somewhere. Disappeared. And now, on a long voyage on a Baltic Fleet ship to the Mediterranean Sea in 2006, evening tea was a formality. And the wardroom on this ship did not attract attention either in the evening or during the day.
***
It has long been noted that the wardroom is the face of the ship. I would add, everything that happens in the country's Navy. There were not only ups and downs in his life. People's Commissar of the USSR Navy Nikolai Kuznetsov dedicated one of his first orders to the restoration of the wardroom as a meeting place for officers. This was in those years when the word officer had execution-forbidden associations. “Without a wardroom there is no society of officers; without this knightly assembly, the ship becomes dead, loses its soul and resembles an involuntary crew, oppressed by fear, suspicion and gossip, with a whip-breaker in charge. A ship without a wardroom, like a regiment without an officers’ meeting, will never be a spiritual unit,” Kuznetsov’s thoughts are still relevant today.
V. Dygalo in his book “The Fleet of the Russian State. Where and What Came from the Fleet” also emphasizes that “in the wardrooms modern ships In the Russian Navy, an atmosphere of democracy must be created without the parade ground of addressing by military rank or by position and surname; the respectful address by name and patronymic of seniors to yesterday's graduates and the confidential address of young officers to their mentors should be revived. This awakens a heightened sense of equal responsibility for the ship, for the common cause of the team, an understanding of the necessity of your service for the crew, and the desire not to lose its honor. In this ship’s communication center, everyone should have the right to talk on any topic, express their opinion, hear the commander’s point of view, and the commander, in turn, will be able to find out how their subordinates live and think. Only in such conditions will the spirit of camaraderie be in the air on the ships, which the leading admirals of the Russian fleet tirelessly cared about as the basis for victory in battle."
***
“I’ve been on American ships,” says Alexey Suglobov, when it comes to foreign fleets. After all, everything is learned by comparison... - During the buffet, waiters serve there. The main thing I would take over from the American military is funding. The costs of maintaining the ship, including the wardroom, are of a completely different order.
Alexey is 32 years old. He will sometimes call himself “old.” Not at 32! Experienced - that's another matter. The commander graduated from the Baltic Naval Institute. F.F. Ushakova. Originally from Sevastopol. From there I came to Kaliningrad. Entered the BVMI. In 2001 he successfully graduated from the artillery department. Joined the Baltic Fleet. Then there were Indian orders. He was appointed commander of the control group. And then he served in the TFR fleet. He was a senior mate on Neustrashimy and Pylkom. From 2008 to 2011 he was the first mate of the Korolev large landing ship. Since March - on "Yaroslav the Wise". But already in the role of commander.
While talking with him, we started talking about the library. There is one at the Yaroslav the Wise SKR, but in the wardroom there are not many books. As a rule, no one reads them. By the way, this is a characteristic sign of the times. The Internet has replaced the book, and the car has developed such a phenomenon as an audiobook, which is listened to while sitting behind the wheel of a car on the road. All this is reflected in the life of military sailors. Seeing someone holding a book in the wardroom is rare. And yet, man does not live by bread alone. And the purpose of the wardroom is much broader than just - as a place for eating. It is also the cultural center of the ship. Well, at least that’s how it should be, and that’s how it once was.

At the Yaroslav the Mudry TFR, which is a sensitive part, the Internet is prohibited. There is a certain paradox in this. Why, for example, is the use of mobile phones allowed? These berries are from the same field. Modern smartphones allow you to be on the global network anytime, anywhere. That is, the Internet is in the pocket of any advanced lieutenant.
A promising officer, commander of a radio-technical combat unit (warhead-7), senior lieutenant Pavel Valerievich Lubnin, a graduate of the VMI of Radio Electronics named after. Popov 2007. In the conversation, he first expressed the prevailing opinion that the Internet should not be allowed on warships, this is supposedly a possible information leak. But, on reflection, he noted that any mobile phone can play... the same joke as a computer connected to the Internet. And yet he admitted that the Internet can breathe new life into the life of the wardroom.
I remembered how, while on an excursion on the US Navy cruiser KC George during an exchange of delegations at international exercises in Germany, I saw one of the American officers monitoring the birth of his daughter on the Internet. She was in the maternity ward of some American clinic. The birth of his grandson was a real holiday for him! And I thought that, for example, Skype could bring “fresh breath” into the life of the wardroom, newness into the ossification of habits that prevent us from moving forward. Change the relationship between military personnel. How nice it is to communicate with family and friends via the Internet while at sea. This is indispensable for the officer corps. The ability to use the global network is probably available on all ships Western countries. Basically, there is a lot wrong there. And if you remember the same "KC George", then in the midshipman's wardroom you could meet a sailor in shorts and a T-shirt, sitting with his legs thrown up on the table in front of a huge plasma TV. That's where democracy is! But it would be impossible to see such a picture in the officer’s mess on this ship. Officers in the US Navy are white bones. And by the way, in this sense, Russian and American officers are similar. The only difference is in the monetary content of both. As for additional purchases before leaving for a campaign, they are also available in other foreign fleets. For example, on the Danish corvette Grieben, I saw how sailors, regardless of rank, used the ship's bar, where they stored mineral water, cola and juices. Each person, taking out a jar, made a note about it in a notebook, and then paid for their requests from their own pocket.
“The wardroom presupposes a kind of tradition,” notes the young officer Lubnin. - I believe that these traditions must be preserved. The first is a gathering place for officers. This is a place where it would be customary to talk not only about service... Once a few years ago, in the wardroom of one of the ships I saw a piano. The sound of this beautiful musical instrument could be heard on the ship. This is etched in my memory. We don't have a piano. Yes, you probably rarely see him on a ship today. And, in my opinion, this is an omission. Now, if you look at Soviet films about military sailors, in some wardrooms they play the piano. Well, now maybe there is karaoke somewhere. But real musical instruments are gone from the lives of military sailors,” says officer Lubnin and continues, “the wardroom is like a kitchen in a house.” I am a supporter of the traditional wardroom without a computer with Internet access. That is, you can come to a cafe, to a restaurant, there you can meet free wifi... To see how everyone took out their laptops, buried themselves in them, and no one sees anyone. Because of this, live communication is lost. This shouldn't happen on a ship. We must communicate with each other, and not go into a virtual environment... In my opinion, there must be a golden mean. We need to find a reasonable use for this. Although, we are military people. We have many restrictions. And to protect state secrets. Although, as a radio electronics engineer, I know what, for example, a mobile phone is capable of. A switched-on phone can be an excellent listening device...
Officer Lubnin has strong-willed character traits, but, due to his youth, his thoughts are still floating. It is clear that talking about the Internet on a warship is one of the topics of conversation with him. While communicating with the young officer, I realized something else - everyone on the ship is interested in it being a home for them, and the crew being one family. In this sense, the memories of former military sailors are very valuable.

Call to the kitchen

Deputy commander of the cruiser "Admiral Zozulya" for educational work (1993-1995), captain 1st rank Sergei Vladimirovich Kuksa, with whom I talked on the eve of my trip to the "Yaroslav the Mudry", gave an example of how in 2007 he went on a trip to the TFR "Undaunted."
“Once I was the deputy commander for educational work of this ship,” says Sergei Vladimirovich, “...And in 2007, during a voyage, I was disappointed with the wardroom. ...Once one of the big bosses, the admiral, while visiting ships in preparation for passing the K-1 course task, noticed that for him, as an experienced person, it was enough to visit the wardroom on the ship, pay attention to whether the sailors stand to the side when they pass officers, especially junior ones, and a certain impression about the life of sailors will be formed. And then - exercises, training, and so on... But based on these first signs, it will be possible to guess how these exercises will end. If there is a bad situation in the wardroom, or in general a stable, then the teaching will be the same. None! If the sailors have a negative attitude towards the lieutenants and continue to kick them with their shoulders, then it is clear that there will be no order on the ship. Therefore, in my opinion, it is important what kind of wardroom is on the ship.
Here I will give one not very beautiful example. One day (it was in the 90s) I came for evening tea... The lieutenant commander of the warhead-4 is sitting next to me. They brought me tea. And the messenger seemed to be preparing to serve tea to the lieutenant. There's a call. The messenger ran away. The first mate calls him. The messenger returns, takes this tea, and brings it to the elder. The lieutenant sits and waits. The messenger pours tea again, as if for the lieutenant. The call again. He gives up everything. Runs into the corridor. It turns out his deputy called him. He takes tea and pies and runs to him. For the third time he pours tea for the lieutenant. The call again. The messenger ran away. He was called by the detective on the hike. The lieutenant seems embarrassed. He has already buttered his bread. He sits and grinds his teeth with resentment. And...I couldn’t stand it. He threw the knife and left. It turns out that instead of feeling like an officer in a team, feeling that you are part of a certain corporate community, you experience negativity, a kind of humiliation...
In 1983, I came to the Vigilant Investigative Committee. And one day he came for evening tea. At the TFR of these projects there are two tables in the wardroom. But the orderlies set only one table for evening tea. And so I came one day and took an empty seat. I was so happy. And the commander of the warhead-7 comes. Experienced officer. He sits down next to me and says to me, “Lieutenant, I ask you to remember that when I’m on board, don’t take my place!” From these words, I practically drank this hot tea in one gulp and ran away. I felt awkward because I took someone else’s place. And he should have asked the messengers whether this or that officer was on board or not. These were elements of education - respect for elders.
***
This evening tea has already set my teeth on edge. I saw something similar on my hikes. I saw how the messenger turned out to be extreme in such a situation, and in response to the reproaches of his colleagues, saying, why are you serving the wrong officer, he had to use force, and then deal with the prosecutor. Although, this messenger was a kind-hearted young man. It’s just that all this leapfrog with evening tea, which should be just a pleasant time, turns into a complete nightmare on many Russian warships. And here you understand why the commander is drinking tea in his cabin... And it is also clear that a strong-willed decision cannot correct the matter here. Here the thinking of people who themselves would like to be together in the evening, at the same table, without military regalia, must change. Especially if the ship is at sea.
“And this can be said not only about evening tea,” continues Sergei Vladimirovich. - Even after verification, we returned to the wardroom, watched TV, talked. And that was okay. In 1986, while crossing the sea at the Druzhny SKR, I entered the wardroom completely without any tension. There was no pressure, like someone was sitting here - a commander or some even higher superior. It is worth remembering that time also because no one could enter the wardroom dressed out of uniform. Back then I couldn’t even imagine that someone would come to dinner in slippers or just a vest. I still can’t perceive it. But sometimes I see, unfortunately, when an officer comes to the wardroom in flip-flops with bare feet. It was always the case with us that we had to come to meals in a cream shirt. This also characterizes a person. There were probably fewer requirements in the midshipman's wardroom. But...At one time I served on the missile cruiser "Grozny", when it was commanded by Mikhail Fedorovich Pinchuk, who later became a rear admiral. He periodically hinted to the senior midshipmen's wardroom, the chief boatswain (and the chief boatswain on a cruiser is a figure), that he should be invited to the wardroom. And the midshipmen were preparing for this. The cleanest tablecloths were provided and additional snacks were provided. The commander came to them for lunch, talked, and they told him about some of their problems.
In general, regarding the wardroom on a ship, in one of the films about the Soviet army there was such an episode - an army officer, after some exercises, ended up on the ship, in the wardroom, for lunch. Cleanliness, order, sconces shining, beautiful table setting, soft chairs. And let me emphasize this - an army officer. A few hours ago he was in the fields, knee-deep in mud. And then they bring him 50 grams of the People's Commissar's money, and he says, “Yes, you can fight like that!” To which the ship’s commander, understanding his sarcasm, replies: “Yes, you can!” Because we have an excellent ship, an excellent crew.” And in this sense, the presence of a wardroom is, of course, some advantage over the ground forces. For good commanders, it almost becomes a restaurant on board a warship. There you will find wine glasses, waffle napkins and cutlery made of excellent steel. And this is prestige. If someone else plays the piano. Yes. This is where the elite of the Armed Forces is.
Here is an example that sometimes even cutlery helps in naval service. Probably the greatest pedants in setting the table on warships are the British. On the tables in their wardrooms there are two tablecloths (a long white one and a short dark dark one), several wine glasses next to plates with snow-white waffle napkins. Be sure to have flowers in the center of the tables, and, of course, comfortable cutlery. Moreover, they are silver. It’s not for nothing that the British Navy is called the Royal Navy. During the military conflict in the Falklands, an important instrument broke down on one of the English ships. The ship became virtually uncontrollable. The sailors collected the cutlery, melted it down, made the necessary part from the melted down silver, and replaced it.
- ... Of course, just to satisfy your hunger, you can have a snack on a newspaper in the cabin. You can, like on an airplane, get disposable lunch bags, eat and - everything is fine. But, if we talk about a certain element of education, then simply having a snack will not work. An officer should feel like an officer, he should have a sense of community, corporate spirit... At one time, instructions were developed on how and what should be organized in the wardroom, continues Sergei Vladimirovich Kuksa. - The messengers knew who needed to be served first. The commanders were proud of their messengers. Uniforms were developed for them. Now, however, it is the same for everyone. And we once came up with a uniform for orderlies ourselves. So that she is beautiful. The officers' wives sewed it. And the messengers liked these clothes. They even ran around in it on leave. Now look, in many wardrooms the messengers are wearing greasy shirts and dirty pants. It seems to me that the main problem there is chaos in the minds, that’s what...

The crew is one family

Communicating with officers and veterans, I could not help but wonder what useful things should be learned from the previous years of naval life. And in this regard, the memories of the former commander of the missile cruiser "Grozny", retired Rear Admiral Mikhail Fedorovich Pinchuk, were very important.
- I served on the cruiser for 16 years and 10 days, joining it as a lieutenant. And he got into the officers’ wardroom about four years after the start of his service,” he recalls. - With division and brigade headquarters on board, we had a very large wardroom. I could, of course, eat on the fourth run, but why would I need it? So I ate with the sailors, and that suited me. In general, it was not shameful for me to be interested in what a sailor lives on a ship. And this did not stop me from later becoming a rear admiral...Success good ships who go to sea, shoot, where good training depends on how the officers take care of the sailors. While in the wardroom, they must remember that there are also sailors. And if they do not remember this, then this leads to offenses among the sailors. We often sat with the officers in the wardroom after evening tea, talked and then went through the sailors' quarters to talk with the sailors. And I will emphasize once again that this attitude towards sailors did not prevent anyone from becoming admirals later. We are simple people, from peasant families, we well understood that everyone, officers and sailors, were on the same ship.
...How can you not feed the sailor?! He is young, he walks on iron. If officers drink tea, then the sailor should drink tea. On a ship, everything comes from the wardroom, from the kitchen. If they shout and swear there, then, as they say, the bulkheads can hear everyone. Or if there are violations, then the sailors allow themselves to violate something. None of the officers there should allow themselves to be rude, arrogant, or rude. You cannot swear or conflict with colleagues. This is a place for pleasant communication. These are the traditions of the Russian fleet since the times of Peter the Great. As officers behave in the wardroom, so does a sailor serve.
***
Mikhail Fedorovich recalls that on the cruiser "Grozny" there was always hot tea in the wardroom - day, evening, and night. There was a teapot in the kitchen. The messenger wrapped him in a towel so that the heat would last longer, and everyone could come and ask for a glass of tea at any time. And it was not shameful. And the glasses on the cruiser were in silver(!) cup holders. And they had to be cleaned to make them shine.
- Officers must always think about the sailor. And everyone at their post, and in general, on the scale of the entire ship. We tried to keep it that way. For example, our first course was always the same for everyone. It was prepared for sailors, midshipmen and officers, continues Mikhail Fedorovich. - This emphasized that every member of the crew, be it an officer or a sailor, should eat normally. Another thing is that, of course, the sailors had different table settings. But the charter required it. And the sailors treated this with understanding.
While communicating with retired Rear Admiral M. Pinchuk, the conversation turned to spending leisure time in the wardroom. I heard that a piano was often played on the cruiser....
- There must be a piano in the wardroom. Yes you! A piano is a must! “He was indignant when he heard that many ships now do not have pianos. -... I think it’s everywhere. And if not, then it means they didn’t install it. There are some things that should simply be in the wardroom. And the piano is one of them... And you also need to be able to listen and...eat!
After Mikhail Pinchuk, having left the cruiser, led a brigade of surface ships in Liepaja, he was faced with one problem that was not very noticeable to outsiders.
“When I came to the brigade, I saw that many officers on ships eat first and second course and salads with spoons,” he says. - And I had to teach them. There were ostentatious lunches, dinners and so on. The tables were set and the best was given. He invited ship commanders to the best wardrooms so that they could study there. Well, how is it so! The ship's commander eats meat with a spoon! I taught my subordinates not only to shoot well, but to eat well. I had to spend a lot of effort to change the situation.... Sorry, but on a cruiser table setting is table setting! This is, firstly, ten to twelve snacks. These are perfectly prepared dishes. There were unspoken competitions to see where the service was better. Accordingly, officers were also required to have good table manners. The wardroom on a cruiser is solid. There you need to know what to say. Select words. It's also a kind of information Center. Officers came and reported the news. Everyone talks about what they were responsible for.
This was understandable. After all, back then ships spent 6-8 months on cruises. Where else but in the wardroom to exchange news?
When "Grozny" was written off, Mikhail Fedorovich, already retired, was building a dacha. And he asked to be given something from the cruiser’s wardroom. I decided to do the same, but on the shore.
“But there was paneling there - walnut, Czechoslovakian,” he says. - Lamps, ship clocks, etc. Entourage. I made a miniature wardroom of the “Terrible” at my dacha. I was very proud of her. But, alas, the dacha burned down. You can’t even imagine how bad my soul was! I was depressed. I was worried about this. And not even for the dacha, but for his wardroom. For three years I could not approach the ashes at all. Then he finally restored it. But she is no longer the same.
Of course, I couldn’t help but ask the rear admiral how evening tea was spent on the cruiser “Grozny”.
- It was impossible to even imagine that someone would not come to evening tea! - He notes. - It was mandatory for everyone. Only the commander could afford to drink tea in his cabin. Moreover, the cruiser commander could eat separately in the cabin. But this tradition did not take root. He ate with everyone. But not coming to evening tea was considered the same as going AWOL. Therefore, I cannot understand why on some ships today the officers do not go to evening tea. After all, it’s evening...Here I drank tea, ate a sandwich, and then communication began. And somehow you perceive some difficulties that exist both in life and in service differently, you begin to treat some things with humor, and some things you stop noticing at all. And my soul is lighter. Well, why not come for evening tea?!
Mikhail Fedorovich also saw political motives in the organization of the wardroom, and this is where the matter came to me.
- The wardroom also plays a political role. On navigation bridge They are not going to discuss anything. In this sense, I would highlight journalists who should be well received in the wardroom, because then they will write about the ship, and it is important that this opinion is good. Well, if the ship’s wardroom is a mess, then nothing can be done about it. You cannot force a journalist to write lies. That's why I always said try to show your best side! It doesn’t matter which journalists are Russian, English, American. It is important to show your good side. This is not just important, but very significant!
***
... The Yaroslav the Wise left the TFR, and commander Alexey Suglobov showed brass blanks - plates with the names of officers, which he wants to attach to the doors of the cabins. Probably, it may seem ordinary to some - brass plates with the names of those living in one cabin or another, but I see this as an important element of ship life - people do not live on a ship temporarily, they come here to serve and live for a long time, and that is why they simply do not They have the right to live poorly here. And the main indicator of this ship’s life of a naval officer is the wardroom, which unites the characters and destinies of military sailors.

February 23 is celebrated as Defender of the Fatherland Day or simply “the holiday of all men.” In honor of this event, we will spend one day on a real warship of the Russian Northern Fleet.

Photos and text: virusog

The Northern Fleet (NF), formed on June 1, 1933, is the “youngest” of all Russian military fleets. Its basis consists of nuclear missile and torpedo submarines, missile-carrying and anti-submarine aircraft, aircraft carriers and anti-submarine ships.

Upon arrival, Severomorsk immediately shows its fighting face. There are constantly monuments to sailors, memorials of cannons, rockets, etc.

LED traffic lights immediately catch your eye. And these are everywhere here! The streets of the city (Severomorsk is also a closed city, i.e. entry here is possible only with special passes) are clean and tidy. It’s immediately obvious that order is maintained here.

The next morning we were taken to the port where we were to board large anti-submarine ship (BOD) "Vice Admiral Kulakov". While we were exploring the surroundings, a small submarine was unloaded from a nearby ship. I don’t exclude the possibility that it’s super secret

It's time to get on board. This BOD was launched in 1980, and until 1988 participated in long-distance voyages of the Northern Fleet. I was even in the now rebellious Benghazi (Libya) and Cuba:

In 1990, the ship was put under repair, which, together with the “repair” of our country, dragged on for 20 long years. He managed to return to combat duty only in 2010, and we were lucky to take part in the first naval exercises.

There are 220 people serving on the ship, including 29 officers and 191 sailors. The sailors are cheerful and young, there are many “contract soldiers”, but there are also “conscripts”:

The armament of this 165-meter colossus inspires respect:

Before us is the main caliber, 100 mm AK-100 artillery mount. There are two of these on Kulakovo:

When they start shooting from it, it’s better not to be near it. Very serious weapons.

On the bow there are installations for shooting barrage jammers (I’ll tell you about them later) with large red stars on board:

The flags flutter very beautifully in the wind. And the wind doesn’t stop here:

Sailors are preparing a six-barreled 30mm gun for firing. artillery mount AK-630. It fires continuous fire (high-explosive fragmentation shells) at a speed of up to 5,000 (!) rounds per minute and hits targets at a distance of up to 4 kilometers:

And here the sailors are loading shells into electronic warfare complex. The fired charges create a dense curtain, similar to a fireworks display, interfering with the guidance systems of thermal and radio-controlled missiles, etc.:

When the main caliber started shooting, the journalists fell onto the deck. It was VERY loud and scary.

The exercise scenario implied not only work on the ship itself, but also the detection of an enemy submarine and its subsequent destruction. 2 Ka-27 helicopters helped to find it. They lowered radio buoys into the sea to detect the submarine:

Helicopters arrived to help anti-submarine Il-38 with a cool polar bear painted on the side:

At first, the Il-38 dropped radio beacons to also detect the submarine, and on the return approach it pleased the found submarine with anti-submarine bombs.

Because of the harsh weather conditions the main part of the exercises was completed and we were not able to see 2 Su-33 fighters that were supposed to attack our ship (and we had to fire back from the AK-100 and AK-630).
I had to get down from the bridge and continue the tour of the ship.

Sailors' cabins. The TV and DVD are tied to a shelf so they don't fall during a storm. In any interior space there are signs indicating the direction to the bow and stern. Could someone really get lost?

There are also more “intimate” nooks. The lower shelves are usually not used for sleeping, but are used for personal belongings:

Captain's cabin. It’s much more comfortable here, especially due to the cat who lives here as the owner:

Toilet, i.e. latrine Quite civilized (except that everyone smokes here, so it stinks quite a bit).

The fighters are more happy than upset about the guest journalists. On the one hand, it’s just another window dressing, but on the other hand, at least new faces will be seen

Captain's bridge(I wandered there by accident, looking for a way out to get some air). Old Soviet equipment coexists with modern computer systems:

There are also maps in the old paper version, but on the right they are duplicated by modern computer navigation systems:

I never found out the purpose of some computers because there was no one around to ask.

Russian fleet

Chapter VI.

Ship personnel.

I. Officers.

A. Commander.

At the head of the ship is the commander. As Art. 274 of the Naval Regulations to the Commander of the ship HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY entrusted with the protection of the honor of the Russian flag. All employees on the ship are completely subordinate to the commander, who in his actions and orders is guided by the law and orders of his superiors and demands the same from his subordinates, relentlessly maintaining strict military discipline on the ship. He is obliged to constantly maintain the ship and crew in perfect repair, making every effort to extend the service life of the ship and machinery and improve the crew in naval warfare. While the ship is underway, the commander determines the course (direction of movement) of the ship and is responsible for its safety; no one without his permission has the right to change the course assigned to him, except for the watch commander in the most exceptional cases (such as, for example, in the event of an inevitable collision).

The commander should leave the ship as rarely as possible; when he leaves, he transfers command to the senior officer and under no circumstances leaves the ship with him; if the ship is part of a squadron, the commander does not have the right to spend the night on shore without the permission of the flagship.

In order to more clearly highlight the power of the commander on the ship, he is completely isolated from the officers; namely, he has a table separate from the wardroom and can be in the wardroom only at the invitation of the officers; when the commander enters the quarterdeck, everyone there, except the senior officer and the watch commander, moves to the left side of the quarterdeck.

b. Senior officer.

The senior officer is the chief assistant to the commander in command of the ship. All employees on the ship are subordinate to him, and he is the chairman of the officers' wardroom.

The responsibilities of a senior officer are quite extensive; he is responsible for the appearance of the ship, monitors the cleanliness and order both inside and outside it, for the serviceability of weapons, boats, reliable strengthening of anchors, etc. He draws up and checks the team’s schedule, leads the squad of officers, commands all emergency (general) work; supervises the training of the crew, the precautions taken when loading gunpowder, artillery shells, coal, etc.

V. Officers.

The ship's officers are divided into naval officers and mechanical engineers. In terms of filling the positions of commander and senior officer in the event of their absence or illness (in battle in case of withdrawal), all naval officers have an advantage over mechanical engineers, regardless of rank, since the training of the latter is quite highly specialized.

1. Naval officers.

All naval officers on a ship bear a number of responsibilities in general ship service and in their specialty. Some officers are called specialist officers.

Specialist officers.

These include navigator, artillery, mine, diving and diving officers. Previously, navigator and artillery officers had special training, wore special uniforms and formed special corps.

At present, naval officers who have completed special classes are appointed to these positions. Specialist officers are appointed on an equal basis with other officers to perform general ship service and watch (duty), but it is up to the commander to deviate from this rule.

Shturmanskie officers are proficient in navigation and navigation. They determine compass deviations and keep meteorological and log books. They are in charge of maps, astronomical and physical instruments, books, spotting scopes, compasses, chronometers, magnets, etc. They monitor the proper condition of the rudder and other devices for controlling the progress of the ship. If there are several of them, then one of them is the senior and immediate assistant to the commander for navigation and route calculation; he must warn the commander about every danger located on the ship’s path and in its vicinity.

Artillery officers. Every naval officer must be familiar with the actions of artillery, since the main purpose of warships is to conduct artillery combat. To manage the artillery unit on the ship (guns and all their accessories), as well as anchor ropes, electrical and other devices for the operation of artillery, as well as the management of all artillery training and preparatory shooting practice, special artillery officers are appointed; if there are several of them, then the eldest of them is the closest assistant to the commander for artillery management, for combat training of artillery specialty personnel and for maintaining the artillery equipment in good working order. In battle, they direct the ship's fire.

Mine officers are in charge of the mine section on ships, i.e. all mine devices, mines and their accessories, as well as all electrical devices in general not under the control of other specialists, mainly ship lighting. They manage the knowledge of mines, and in battle, mine shooting.

Diving officer is in charge of the diving department on the ship.

Submarine officers are trained specifically for submarine navigation.

General duties of officers.

The remaining officers are the heads of the command (company commanders and junior officers) and commanders of gun platoons. In this last position, they are responsible assistants to the senior artillery officer for fire control, maintenance of artillery and combat training of the personnel of their plutong; the plutong commander must perfectly know the material part of his plutong, the shooting tables and be able to control the sight and the entirety in all battle conditions. In addition, officers have responsibilities for managing any part of the ship, boat, etc. and carry out other assignments assigned to them by the commander.

One of the naval officers is appointed auditor.

Auditor is called an officer who combines the positions of adjutant, head of the economic unit and treasurer of the ground forces.

He is in charge of: 1) all writing on the ship, both in combat and economic parts, 2) all parts of the ship's economy, 3) all monetary capital as a treasurer, 4) things and materials of the ship. The keepers are subordinate to him. The auditor is also assigned to watch and general ship duty on an equal basis with other officers, but at the discretion of the commander he can be released from the watch for the time necessary for his immediate duties.

2. Mechanical engineer.

One of the mechanical engineers is the ship's chief engineer.

The chief engineer is in charge of managing the ship's steam mechanisms and is responsible for the serviceability and safety of all its parts. He is also in charge of all mechanical devices on the ship. He takes measures to ensure that the work of preparing machines for action is completed at the appointed time; when distributing and stopping steam, during increased speed, and in general during all important work, he personally controls the machine, disposing of the entire machine team. The rest of the time, the next (watch) mechanic and the next watch of drivers and stokers remain in the engine room. During anchorage, mechanics are on daily duty; while the ship is under steam, they stand watch for a certain number of hours.

The remaining mechanics have the duties of a bilge mechanic, a diving mechanic and a mine mechanic. The bilge mechanic is appointed to assist the chief engineer to supervise the unsinkability system and drainage systems. The mine mechanic is technically subordinate to both the senior mechanic and specialist officers, but at the same time performs watch duty in the vehicle. Mechanical engineers are also assigned some duties for general ship service.

Service as officers.

Officers of the fleet and maritime department are divided into officers of the fleet and special corps.

1. Naval officers.

The composition of naval officers is made up of those who have graduated from the Naval Corps and from fleet cadets (volunteers) who have passed the officer exam. According to the current temporary regulations, before promotion to officers as midshipmen Marine Corps, and fleet cadets, must serve for some time in the rank of naval midshipmen. During this time they perform officer duties under the supervision of officers, and also practice such duties as are performed by non-commissioned officers.

The first officer rank is the rank midshipman. It must be borne in mind that although midshipmen wear two stars on their shoulder straps, they belong to class X, i.e. have equal rights not with second lieutenants of the army, but with lieutenants of the army or second lieutenants of the guard.

The ranks of naval officers are as follows:

Admiral - admiral general, admiral, vice admiral and rear admiral (or general, as in the ground forces).

Staff officers - captain 1st rank (colonels) and captain 2nd rank (lieutenant colonel).

Chief officers - senior lieutenant (VIII class, shoulder straps like a captain), lieutenant (IX class, shoulder straps like a lieutenant) and midshipman (X class).

Navy officers are listed in the fleet (combat and shore) or by fleet. Among the first officers combat personnel are on duty on ships, A coastal composition on the shore . The total number of officers of every rank in the fleet is determined by the Admiralty Council. To be promoted to the following rank one is required to:

1) opening of a vacancy in the regular number of officers of the corresponding rank,

2) service for a specified number of years and fulfillment of the required conditions,

3) certificate of superiors. So, to promote from midshipman to lieutenant, at least 3 years of service in the rank of midshipman is required,

4) sailing for these 3 years on combat ships, performing in turn the duties of navigator, mine, artillery and mechanical units, as well as sailing on destroyers, 3) submitting an annual written report on their activities and passing the exam and 4) approval of the general meeting flagships and captains (the conditions set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 are not yet actually applied). But in addition, it is also required that there be vacancies in a certain number of lieutenants in the total number of lieutenants for the entire fleet.

Similar to the above, promotion to the rank of senior lieutenant is also underway, and this requires at least 5 years of service in the rank of lieutenant. Each further proceeding is preceded by the selection of candidates for a position associated with a well-known rank, and length of service does not matter.

In addition to the production of lieutenants and senior lieutenants, there is also production along the line for distinction. Those nominated for such production can be significantly ahead of their comrades and peers.

Officers coastal fleet personnel, i.e., performing permanent service on the shore, promoted to captain of the 1st rank for a certain number of years of service in each rank, but not earlier than their comrades who are on the ship. They are not promoted to the ranks of admiral, but those occupying the highest class positions can be promoted to the ranks of general.

By fleet the following are included: 1) staff officers included in the certification lists, but within 5 years not selected as candidates for the next highest position,

2) all naval ranks of coastal personnel who have not held positions in the maritime department for 3 years,

3) naval ranks dismissed for service in the Voluntary Fleet and outside departments.

They cannot be promoted to the next rank, but can receive a rank upon retirement.

Navy officers wear a gold device; the gaps on the shoulder straps: for the officers of the Guards crew - red, for the regular personnel of the Naval Corps - white, for the rest - black.

2. Special buildings.

The special corps of the Naval Department are as follows: 1) corps of naval engineers and naval mechanical engineers, 2) corps of naval navigators and naval artillery, 3) those registered with the Admiralty, 4) naval judicial department, 5) engineers and technicians of the naval construction unit, 6 ) medical and pharmaceutical officials.

Fleet mechanical engineers and ship engineers graduate primarily from the Marine Engineering School EMPEROR NICHOLAS I. They wear a silver device and caps with a band of black velvet; the clearance on the shoulder straps is red; naval engineers have red piping on their uniforms and frock coats, which mechanical engineers do not have. Sabers are not assigned to naval engineers.

It was decided to abolish the corps of naval navigators and naval artillery and they are no longer replenished with officers.

The Admiralty consists mostly of officers who transferred from the military-land department to the coastal positions of the naval department, as well as those promoted from the lower ranks. They wear a uniform similar to the naval one, but with a silver device; shoulder straps have a red gap. Those from the lower ranks have shoulder straps with black clearance.

Officers of the Naval Judicial Department wear a uniform similar to that of Admiralty officers, but with crimson piping.

In view of the fact that almost exclusively mechanical engineers sail on the ships of the officers listed above, let us dwell on them in more detail.

They have the same ranks as ground army officers. They are staffed by graduates of the Marine Engineering School EMPEROR NICHOLAS I and from the fleet cadets (volunteers) who passed the mechanical examinations. Like naval officers, they, according to the temporary regulations, begin service as naval midshipmen.

Promotion to the next rank of mechanical engineer is carried out in relation to the production of naval officers, i.e. required: 1) length of service and fulfillment of conditions, 2) certificates from superiors and 3) availability of vacancies. Second lieutenants can be promoted to lieutenant after serving in the rank for at least 2 years. Staff captains and captains are promoted based on length of service in each rank of at least 4 years. On ships, mechanical engineers can receive ranks no higher than colonel.

Age limit.

All admirals and officers may remain on active service until they reach the age limit established for each rank.

The age limit is as follows:

for a midshipman - 10 years of rank, for a lieutenant and senior lieutenant - 47 years old, for a captain of the 2nd rank - 51 years old, for a captain of the 1st rank - 55 years old, for a rear admiral - 60 years old, for a vice - admiral - 65 years, for admiral - 70 years.

There is also an age limit for mechanical engineers and officers of other corps.

Training of specialists.

Fleet officers can take at will: a course at the Nikolaev Maritime Academy, special classes: artillery, mine, at the diving training squad, diving school and navigator.

The Academy consists of 4 departments: naval, hydrographic, mechanical and shipbuilding. The duration of stay in each is 2 years 7 months.

The Naval Department has 3 grades: junior, senior and additional. The first two are intended to disseminate higher naval knowledge among naval officers, and the additional one is to prepare officers for serving on the naval General Staff.

Other departments consist of three courses. Admission to the naval department is carried out annually, and to the rest - every 3 years. Officers who have served at least 4 years in the officer ranks are allowed to take the entrance exam, and staff officers are admitted as volunteers.

Admission to classes is also based on an exam. The duration of classes is about a year. Completion of classes gives the right to occupy specialist positions on ships; graduating classes receive special badges (except for navigators).

Salary of officers.

1) salaries, 2) table money And 3) sea contentment.

Salaries and table money are paid during the entire period of the position, while sea allowances are paid only during voyages (or rather, during campaigns). The salary is divided into three categories: 1) for all ranks of the Baltic and Black Sea fleets and ports, 2) for all ranks of the Caspian flotilla and ports, as well as for ranks and students of the Nikolaev Maritime Academy, various kinds of schools, classes, etc.

2) for officials of the Siberian Flotilla and ports of the Eastern Ocean. During campaigns associated with receiving naval pay, salaries are reduced. While in armed reserve (at the end of the campaigns, if the officers and crew remain on the ships) officers receive half the naval allowance and a shore salary.

From the following tables you can see the amounts of monthly salary for the 1st category, table money and sea allowance, and the salaries are shown after deductions. Salaries for grades 2 and 3 have been increased. In the table salaries and sea allowances given, not all positions are indicated, but only some.

Life of officers on ships.

Officers receive cabins on the ship for one, and due to lack of them - for several. Accommodation of two officers in one cabin is quite common.

To connect officers in their free time from duty, each ship has an officer's room. wardroom (meeting). The first person in the wardroom is the senior officer, and in his absence the senior officer present. All officers and medical officials are required to eat in the wardroom. The priest also dines in the wardroom and blesses the meal. To manage the table, a keeper (the owner of the meeting) is selected from among the officers or a bartender is hired, whose actions are monitored by a commission of three officers.

All games for money and cards on ships are prohibited. Officers have the right to leave the ship only with the permission of the commander or senior officer and must return at the appointed time. For communication with the shore, regular boats are sent from the ship at a time determined by the schedule.

On Sundays and holidays officers must be present in "ordinary" uniform at Divine Services on board the ship.

II. Lower ranks of conductor ranks.

Rank conductor The navy is to a certain extent similar to the rank of lieutenant ensign in the ground forces, although conductors have greater rights.

Lower ranks of non-commissioned officer ranks, awarded by their superiors, are promoted to conductorship if they express a desire to remain in long-term service. Each ship has a certain number of conductor vacancies. Promotion to fleet conductors is carried out by orders of the Minister of the Navy to withstand the relevant tests.

The conductor ranks are as follows: 1) senior boatswain, 2) conductors: artillery, mine, helmsman, signal, engine, mine-machine, bilge, stoker, telegraph, galvanizer and electrical technician, 3) senior keeper and 4) senior paramedic.

Senior boatswains and conductors: artillery, mine, helmsman and signal officers have a gold device, and the rest have a silver one.

Chief boatswain there is the highest of all ranks of conductor on the ship. He is the assistant chief officer in charge of supervising the cleanliness and order on the decks and the external cleanliness of the ship. All lower ranks of the ship are subordinate to him, as his immediate superior. He keeps a list of all the lower ranks of the ship, must know their names, abilities and knowledge and observe their behavior and performance of duty. He assigns lower ranks to work and monitors their execution; preparing the anchor for release; present when lower ranks leave the shore and return from shore, etc.

There is no position similar to the position of senior boatswain in the ground forces.

Conductors are assistant specialist officers, each in their own specialty.

Senior keepers the ranks of conductor ranks in charge of any part of the ship's economy are called. Senior holders are available:

1) food (commissariat) unit (senior battalion or commissar, if he is an official),

2) mine-artillery,

3) skipper (in charge of all the ship’s equipment, not related to specialties),

4) machine. The senior holder of medical property is the senior paramedic.

When posting conductors on a ship, they are assigned special cabins or rooms, separate from the lower ranks. On ships they have a special table and a separate wardroom (they are not entitled to government food). On the shore, they have the right to visit theaters (sitting in seats no closer than the 7th row), city and country entertainment establishments and gardens, ride in carriages and trams (of which) while sitting inside the carriages.

Conductors receive: 1) a salary, 2) additional allowance and 3) sea allowance for the voyage in the future.

To the specified content, conductors are added: for five years of service in this rank - 120 rubles per year, for 10 years of service - 240 rubles, and for 15 years of service - 360 rubles. In addition, 100 rubles are given at a time to acquire clothes, and 50 rubles to maintain them. per year (official clothing is not required). After 25 years of extended service, they receive a pension of 315 rubles per year, and after 20 years of service, half the amount. In cases of dismissal due to illness, pensions are given for 10 years. In addition, upon dismissal, after serving 10 years in the rank of conductor, they can receive the title of personal honorary citizen, and after serving 20 years - hereditary honorary citizen.

Team.

The team consists of the lower ranks of non-commissioned officers and sailors. Non-commissioned officers on a ship have ranks by group; the first group of ranks - boatswain, boatswain mother (senior non-commissioned officer) and non-commissioned officer (junior non-commissioned officer) and the second group of ranks - non-commissioned officer of the 1st article (3 stripes) and non-commissioned officer of the 2nd article ( 2 stripes).

The first group includes the so-called “combatant” non-commissioned officers and ranks of non-commissioned officers: helmsman, signal, top, diving and combat instructor-gunsmith and instructor, and the second non-commissioned officers: a) artillery, mine, galvaner, telegraph, b) electric machines, firemen and bilge workers; c) musicians, clerks, d) keepers, e) paramedics.

Non-commissioned officers of the first group, and those from the second mentioned in paragraph a) wear gold or yellow non-commissioned officer stripes on their shoulders (of which combatant and trumpet) and the rest - white stripes. “Gunsmiths” have the distinction of having two guns on their sleeves. To receive the non-commissioned rank of "combatant" non-commissioned officers, they undergo a five-month training course for young soldiers (reinforced), and then are distributed among the courts as "apprentices", where they undergo practical and theoretical training the following year, and after the exam they are assigned to ships in as candidates for non-commissioned officer; To obtain the rank of non-commissioned officer specialist, special courses are taken in artillery and mine training squads, in a machine school and a school for keepers and clerks. Lower ranks are enrolled in schools and classes upon completion of their initial training in companies of recruits; They sign for ships only after completing a course in schools. Keeper classes are assigned from ships. Combat gunsmith instructors undergo a “naval rifle training team” course, where they enter directly as recruits. Paramedics are trained in schools (not from among those called by lot, but exclusively from those who enter there from an early age). Boatswain there is a position rather than a title. In the ground forces there are no non-commissioned officers similar to this position and rank. The boatswain has seniority on the ship over all lower ranks of non-commissioned officer rank. Every boatswain is the immediate superior of all the lower ranks of the ship, although he is in charge of one watch (half of the crew), in which he is obliged to know all the lower ranks and where who is assigned according to different schedules. However, the use of his power, as a directly responsible boss, extends to lower ranks mainly only during emergency work. The boatswains take turns on duty all day long and on the day of their duty they supervise all the work of the next watch, extending responsible power not only to the lower ranks of their watch (two companies), but to all the lower ranks whom they will have to command. Boatswains wear gold sergeant major stripes. The immediate superiors of the lower

ranks are also sergeant major mouth. They must know all the lower ranks of the company and their duties, monitor their behavior, neatness, etc.

The main functions of sergeants are economic and administrative and conducts various types of reporting. “Sergeant major” on a ship is not a rank, but a position performed by boatswains and non-commissioned officers, while wearing a gold sergeant major badge on their shoulder.

The rank of immediate superior in the navy is understood differently than in the army. While in the army the immediate superior is the closest direct superior, and therefore, everyone can have only one immediate superior, on ships the immediate superiors of each sailor are four persons - the boatswain and the sergeant major of his company.

“Combat” non-commissioned officers perform general ship service, lead combat and naval ranks with the crew, supervise deck work and manage, as senior officers and masters, individual parts of the ship. Combat gunsmith instructors (the so-called “shooters”) are in charge of handguns and teach lower ranks how to use them.

Non-commissioned officer specialists are in charge of both the subjects of their specialty and the conduct of classes and duties in their specialty.

The number of non-commissioned officers on a ship is determined by the report cards of each ship.

Sailors.

All lower ranks of the fleet, regardless of what position they perform, are considered combatants. By law, the lower ranks of the lowest class (articles) are called sailors and privates. The second category includes drivers, stokers, craftsmen, etc. But so far such a division of the team has not yet been implemented, and all the lower ranks of the lowest class are called sailors.

The concept of “rank” in the navy is not sharply distinguished from the concept of “position” and in general they are mixed.

If a sailor does not have any specialty, then he is called

a sailor of the 2nd or 1st article. The rest of the sailors and privates are called by position; for example: gunner, miner, electrician, fireman of the 2nd article, driver of the 2nd article, etc.

The lowest article (rank class) is a sailor of the 2nd article. From the lowest class, sailors can be promoted to the next highest class, namely from sailors of the 2nd class to sailors of the 1st class, or renamed specialists (gunner, miner, etc.). Sailors of the 1st article can be promoted to top, helmsman and signal officer or directly to “combat” non-commissioned officers, and from specialists or in the old days specialists (for example, senior gunner, senior miner, etc.), or to specialists of the 1st articles (fireman 1st article, driver 1st article, etc.).

The next level is the non-commissioned officer rank: non-commissioned officer of the 2nd article or simply “non-commissioned officer” - combatant, helmsman, signal officer, etc.

The period of active service in the navy is 5 years.

Young soldiers are trained ashore in special companies attached to crews, with officers and non-commissioned officers teachers appointed from the ships and from the rifle team. From the very moment they enter the service, young sailors are assigned to one specialty or another, and upon completion of drill training in the spring, destined to become specialists, they are sent to training detachments (artillery and mines) and to engine school. Those who were not included in the detachments and schools sign up for the ships. Here sailors are selected for the engine crew, signalmen, divers, helmsmen, keepers, clerks and orderlies. They are prepared for these duties both on the ship and in special schools, and upon completion of training they are tested by commissions. The lower ranks, members of training detachments and schools, undergo a two-year course there; after which the best are left to undergo non-commissioned officer courses, and the rest are signed for ships.

Each sailor on the ship receives his own number according to his specialty:

From 1 to 28 - sergeant majors, combat non-commissioned officers, boatswains.

From 31 to 38 - topsailers, from 41 to 48 - divers, from 51 to 398 sailors of 1st and 2nd articles, from 401 to 598 - gunners and galvanists, from 601 to 698 - mine specialists, from 701 to 798 - buglers, helmsmen and signalmen.

From 801 to 898 - clerks, carpenters, painters, sailboats, cooks, bakers, messengers, cabin boys, orderlies, batallers, skipper, and keepers.

From 901 to 998 - bilge workers, from 1001 to 1198 machinists, from 1201 to 1398 - stokers, from 1400 and above - staff ranks and musicians.

Depending on the number, the sailor is assigned to the corresponding departments, watch and company. Companies, depending on the number of crew on the ship, are made up of one squad, one watch, or the entire crew. Each number, according to ship schedules, is entitled on the ship to:

a) Your own bunk and a place for it in the hanging net.

b) A place for food at the table or at the tank with the foreman in charge of the dishwashing line.

c) A locker or suitcases in which he keeps his things and which he keeps clean.

d) A tidying area, where a sailor cleans up under the supervision of a non-commissioned officer.

e) A rifle or revolver, which he must take care of and keep clean and in good repair.

Note: rifles and revolvers are not shared by the entire team.

f) Place on the boat.

g) A place during emergency situations: 1) for lifting from anchor, 2) for anchoring, 3) for transporting the landing party and for other emergency situations that may occur on the ship. 4) Place of alarm: a) combat, b) water and c) fire.

The sailor must firmly remember these places and what to do in each case. All first watch positions are on the starboard side of the ship. All second watch positions are on the left side. Any sailor can also be appointed

the owner (or “managers”) of some part of the ship and mechanism.

Long-term employees.

Anyone who expresses their desire can remain for long-term service, non-commissioned officers, as well as privates of special ranks, those who finish serving or those who finish it no later than 2 years. The number of super-urgents who can be abandoned is determined annually by a schedule approved by the Admiralty Council. The age limit for overtime is 51 years. Long-term soldiers are divided into three categories: 1) boatswains and stoker foremen (the best of the stoker non-commissioned officers awarded this rank at the end of their active service period), 2) non-commissioned officers, except those classified as 3rd category and 3) boatswains and non-commissioned officers from specialists, lower ranks awarded the non-commissioned officer rank upon transfer to the reserve and private special ranks. A distinctive feature of extra-urgent ones are the chevrons sewn on the left sleeve. Overtime receive the following additional salary in months. Third-class ranks may be admitted to examinations in schools for the rank of non-commissioned officer specialists and, upon graduation, are transferred to the second category. Long-term employees receive clothing allowance , as urgent, and in addition, annually 40 rubles in replacement of the second set of clothing allowances previously due to them. Upon dismissal from service of long-term servicemen who have served in long-term service for at least 10 years, they receive benefits of 1000 rubles, and those who have served 20 years also receive a pension of 96 rubles. in year; having served for 15 years instead of an allowance of 1000 rubles. can receive a pension of 96 rubles per year.

Cash maintenance of lower ranks.

The monetary maintenance of the lower ranks consists of: 1) salary, 2) sea allowance and 3) Additional maintenance (shore and sea). Salary is paid both on shore and at sea; naval allowance - only during campaigns, and additional allowance - for special ranks or for actual performance of duties. The types of salaries for sailors of different ranks and specialties are very different. We indicate some salaries for the Baltic and Black Sea fleets. For special titles, “self-driving” machinists who have completed a course in engine school while at sea receive 180 rubles per year (i.e. 15 rubles per month) and others (galvanizers, miners, divers, signalmen, etc.) from 10 rub. 80 kop. up to 1 rub. 80 kop. per year both at sea and on the shore. For the actual performance of positions they receive per year: holders of Article 1 63 rubles (at sea) or 18 rubles (on shore); contents 2 articles 27 rub. (at sea) or 18 rub. (on the shore); sergeant major 14 rub. 40 kopecks both at sea and on shore; others (miners, gunners, etc.) from 21 rubles. 60 kopecks up to 5 rub. 40 kopecks and only at sea. Divers receive 1 ruble for every hour they stay under water.

Team satisfaction.

During domestic and foreign voyages (campaigns), lower ranks are content with the so-called sea ​​provisions, the rest of the time, the lower ranks are given a set supply of provisions (flour and cereals) and welding money for the purchase of meat, salt, vegetables and other supplies. The number of marine provisions included in the portion of one person per day is determined by the normal report card attached to the book. XIII St. Naval Regulations. Supplies that constitute sea provisions during inland voyages are taken in kind from port shops, from port contractors, or are prepared by the ships themselves, using money given in lieu of provisions.

Marine provisions.

Food. According to the above-mentioned normal table, the following amount is released per day from local seafood products for each person: meat (fresh or salted) - 3/4 pound, cereals: buckwheat 22 spools (and twice a week 60 spools) and oatmeal 10 spools; cow butter 10 spools (and twice a week 19 spools); sauerkraut or fresh greens 40 spools, crackers 1 pound 87 spools (or bread 2 3/4 pounds), lard 5 1/7 spools, vinegar 1/4 cup, tea 3/4 spools and sugar 9 spools.

From this provision the following is prepared: breakfast (tea and crackers (or bread) with butter), dinner (fresh or sour cabbage soup, which can be replaced with peas once a week) and dinner (gruel or steep buckwheat porridge with butter, as well as tea). Crackers are divided into three parts: for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and at every opportunity they are replaced with baked bread. Tea is prepared in shared samovars. Deviations from the specified normal timesheet are allowed in the form of replacing one or another of the supplies, but so that total cost the portions were not more expensive than with the normal table; cases of replacement, what one or another of the supplies can be replaced with, from whom permission should come, how reporting is carried out, etc. set out in the book. XIII St. Naval Regulations, section II, chapter three and other temporary provisions.

Wine. Each person is entitled to 1 glass of bread wine (vodka) per day; 2/3 glasses are given for lunch and 1/3 for dinner or breakfast. If the lower ranks refuse wine, then they are given money for undrinking wine in the amount of 8 kopecks. per glass for inland navigation and 9 kopecks. (6 kopecks in gold) in foreign. Bread wine can be replaced with rum, cognac or similar alcoholic drinks, diluted to vodka strength (40°).

Other types of allowances. Sea provisions also include soap and shag tobacco. Soap is issued per week for each person: engine crew - 28 spools in domestic navigation, 53 spools in foreign navigation; for other people in domestic navigation there are 14 spools, in foreign navigation 33 spools. Makhorka is entitled to 14 spools per person per week, but at present it is given not in kind, but in cash in the amount of 12 kopecks per month per person. in inland navigation and 20 kopecks. in foreign

Drillman, helmsman, signalman, etc.

It is impossible to distinguish a boatswain from a sergeant major by external signs. The ID of the boatswain, wearing three yellow stripes, is senior to the sergeant major with a gold stripe.

From the book by V. Dygalo "The Fleet of the Russian State. Where and what came from the fleet"

Back at the beginning of the 18th century. on the ships of the British fleet, in the stern part, above the stern hatch, where supplies of provisions and wine were always stored, there was a large room into which the doors of the officers' cabins opened. It was called “wardrobe,” which translated from English means “wardrobe.” Valuable trophies captured on prize ships were placed in the wardrobe. When there were no trophies, the room served as a mess for the officers. At the end of the 18th century. the massive seizure of prize ships stopped, and this room, renamed the “wardroom” (“wardroom”), became a place for general dining for officers. It remains in the Navy under this name today. One of the legislators of the ship's order of the British Navy, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Jervis John, declared the wardrooms not just dining rooms, a meeting place for officers.

On the ships of our navy, a wardroom with a common table appeared in the middle of the 18th century. Before that, he ate officers, mostly from among his own serfs, as best they could, preparing food for their master, pushing and squabbling in the cramped ship's galley, complaining about each other and quarreling their masters. In addition, the officers were richer and had better food, and this involuntarily irritated the less wealthy. To put an end to such negative phenomena, it was decided to establish wardrooms on ships.

Unfortunately, we know very little about the dangerous service and life of our sailors in the era of the sailing fleet. This historical period was illuminated most vividly by Russian writers K.M. Stanyukovich, author of “Sea Stories” and the story “Around the World on the Kite,” and I.A. Goncharov, who created the cycle of travel essays “Frigate “Pallada””. On this frigate there was a wardroom located, as the old maritime custom dictated, in the stern of the ship.

In the era of the sailing-steam fleet, on ships of all types - frigates, corvettes, clippers, and later on cruisers - these rooms were essentially monotonous and not much different from the wardroom of the sailing ship on which I.A. traveled. Goncharov.

With the appearance in the second half of the 19th century. armored ships and the need that arose with particular rationality to save every meter of usable space, the wardroom premises largely lost their traditional elegant appearance, and in some places the location was changed - primarily on light cruisers and destroyers.

In the history of the Russian fleet, a community of sailor officers of one ship, who were united by common interests, maritime customs and traditions, was also called a wardroom. The wardroom, in fact, was a team of like-minded people who devoted themselves to a common goal - the defense of the Fatherland. This view of the wardroom is to some extent reflected in the current Naval Ship Regulations, which also consider it as an association of officers, and not just as a mess room. The wardroom on the ship is stated in our charter, “should serve as a place for close communication between officers and a cultural center that contributes to the education of officers, the development of common views on issues of naval combat, combat training and the organization of ship service”.

Great Russian naval commanders admirals F.F. Ushakov, M.P. Lazarev, P.S. Nakhimov, S.O. Makarov, reflecting on the role of the ship's wardroom, adhered to a common view: the cohesion and unity of the wardroom is a clear expression of the discipline of the fleet as a whole, and traditions and customs are its foundation. A similar spirit always reigned in the wardrooms of our warships, where relationships were built on the deep respect of juniors for seniors, admiration for their experience and combat skill.

According to established naval custom, officers in the wardrooms were seated at the table strictly according to seniority. At the head of the table was a senior officer, to his right was the next-ranking officer, and to his left was a senior mechanical engineer. Then came senior specialists and then, also in order of seniority in military ranks, junior specialists, watch commanders, watch officers and mechanics. This placement created an atmosphere of respect and subordination, highlighting the “senior” and “junior” (as they used to say back then, “back”) ends of the table. All this allowed the senior officer to feel supported in table conversations by senior specialists. And now the places in the wardroom are just as strictly assigned by the senior assistant commander.

The special concern of the senior officer, who, according to naval law, was considered the owner of the ship's wardroom, was the creation of a special microclimate among the officers, the establishment there, as they once said, Esprit de Corps(corporate spirit). According to famous Russian admirals, this cohesion largely ensured victory in any battle and the successful solution of the most difficult tasks assigned to the ship.

The life of the wardrooms in the era of the sailing fleet and right up to the revolution was basically based on the custom of seeing the boss as a boss only on duty, and in the wardroom and outside of service he was only a senior comrade. The senior officer on deck is always “Mr. Captain 2nd Rank” or “Mr. Senior Lieutenant,” while below it is “Ivan Ivanovich,” “Ivan Petrovich,” and it was considered completely impossible to address him differently. This happened because for a true sailor the ship was a home, but a home with two halves, strictly demarcated by maritime custom, namely the deck, where the sailor is always on duty, and the wardroom, where he is always at home. This distinction, inherent only in the fleet, also determined a number of unwritten rules for the life of the wardroom. So, for example, it was considered bad manners to talk about service at the dinner table, it was considered tactless to give reprimands and, in general, everything that is not accepted in a good family. And only in cases of extreme necessity did a senior officer or even a senior officer do them in a form dictated by the circumstances. Most often - in the traditional way, such as: “Wouldn’t it be better for us to talk about gingerbread” or “Shut up the fountain of eloquence, midshipman,” etc., which usually caused smiles, and the offender was put in his place without offense. Obviously, in the wardrooms of modern ships of our navy, an atmosphere of democracy should be created without formal address by military rank or position and surname, respectful address by name and patronymic of seniors to yesterday's graduates and confidential address to young officers should be revived to your mentors. This awakens a heightened sense of equal responsibility for the ship, for the common cause of the team, an understanding of the necessity of your service for the crew, and the desire not to lose its honor. In this ship’s communication center, everyone should have the right to talk on any topic, express their opinion, hear the commander’s point of view, and the commander, in turn, will be able to find out how their subordinates live and think. Only in such conditions will the spirit of camaraderie be in the air on the ships of our fleet, which the leading admirals of the Russian fleet tirelessly cared about as the basis for victory in battle.

In today's environment, camaraderie is even more important. And in its formation, the main role is given to the senior assistant to the ship’s commander. It is not without reason that the naval charter has always declared the senior officer to be the chairman of the wardroom and its owner. “The first person in the wardroom, says the current Navy Naval Charter, - is the senior assistant to the ship's commander...” Officers must be appointed to the position of senior assistant to the ship's commander, his first deputy, guardian and zealot of maritime traditions, with mandatory consideration of character traits and, if you like, special love and devotion to the ship's service and the fleet. A wise old naval saying: “Like the senior officer, so is the wardroom. Like the wardroom, so is the ship.”. It has not lost its deep meaning today. After all, an experienced eye can always see that warships, regardless of their belonging to the same class and type, are still somewhat different. There are truly exemplary ships, there are simply normal ones, and it happens, let’s be honest, that we meet those on which something is constantly going wrong, which are always listed as lagging behind. Most often - believe my considerable experience - these are ships on which the senior officers are random people who ended up in this high position due to a miscalculation by senior commanders.

In the old days, the crew commander sent out invitations to visit the ship, which always began with the words: “The wardroom of the cruiser “Minin” asks...” or “The commander and wardroom of the cruiser “Minin” ask...”

And today, as in ancient years, the ship’s commander, inviting guests, repeats: “The cruiser's wardroom...requests...”

Remember, we haven't been around for long. Many expressed great regret that the fleet was losing such unique ships. However, there is also good news related to another measuring ship from the USSR era.

Ship Pacific Fleet"Marshal Krylov" under the command of Captain 1st Rank Igor Shalyna, he went to sea to carry out tasks for its intended purpose.

This ship can be considered unique. After all, it is the only one in its class in the fleet that performs the tasks of ensuring flight design tests of new types of rocket and space technology (spacecraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, launch vehicles, etc.).

On July 24, 2012, the ship turned 25 years old. In order to maintain components and mechanisms in good condition, the ship was put into long-term dock repairs in Vladivostok, during which the entire range of work on support systems was completed. After this, “Marshal Krylov” successfully passed sea trials in the Amur Bay.

Let's find out more about the history of this ship.

The need for ships capable of carrying out all kinds of measurements of intercontinental missiles arises at the beginning of the space age. Missiles equipped with nuclear warheads have reached a level where test sites have become too small for them - the missile's range has become measured in thousands of kilometers. Previously, observations and measurements of parameters were carried out by measuring points installed at ground test sites. Now, when the launched rocket could fly halfway around the world, new means of monitoring and measuring them were required.

The ships owe their appearance to TsNII-4 and personally to the outstanding designer Sergei Pavlovich Korolev. It was with his proposal to create a marine command and measurement complex and move it to the vast Pacific Ocean to control the testing of strategic missile weapons that the story of these amazing auxiliary vessels begins - the history of the symbiosis of the space and naval fleets.

1958 The leadership of the Soviet Union decides to create and build a ship - a command and measurement complex. A huge number of people of different specialties and many military-industrial complex enterprises are involved in the creation of CIC. The first to be handed over are Project 1128 dry cargo ships, created in Poland for the Soviet Union as dry cargo carriers, for conversion to CIC. The design part of the KIK is the Leningrad Central Design Bureau and Baltsudoproekt. After receiving the ships, work began on equipping them with special equipment. It is worth noting that at that time there were practically no measuring equipment and equipment for using it on surface ships, and it was removed from ground stations and automobile chassis. Command and measuring equipment was installed in the holds of ships on special platforms. In addition to hardware and equipment, the ships received reinforced plating to enable them to make a voyage (expedition) through the northern sea ​​route. All work on equipping the ships was completed by the summer of 1959, after which sea trials of the KIK immediately began.

All CICs were included in the so-called “TOGE” - the Pacific Hydrographic Expedition. TOGE's base is a bay on the Kamchatka Peninsula (later the city of Vilyuchinsk grew there).

The main tasks of TOGE:
- measuring and tracking the flight path of ICBMs;
- tracking the fall and determining the coordinates of the fall of the rocket head;
- control and monitoring of nuclear device mechanisms;
- removal, processing, transmission and control of all information from the object;
- control of the trajectory and information coming from the spacecraft;
- maintaining constant communication with the astronauts on board the spacecraft.

The first ships of Project 1128 - Sakhalin, Siberia, Suchan (Spassk) were combined into the first floating measuring complex (1PIK), code name - “Brigade S”. A little later they were joined by the Project 1129 ship Chukotka. All ships were put into service in 1959. Cover legend - Pacific Oceanographic Expedition (TOGE-4). In the same year, the ships made the first expedition to the area Hawaiian Islands, which became known as the Aquatoria missile test site. These were the first ships that sailed to the center of the Pacific Ocean, whose autonomy reached 120 days.

Everything in this expedition was top secret; mentions of these ships threatened at that time with being sent to places not so distant for disclosing state secrets. The ships had an unusual silhouette and color - the ball-colored hull had white superstructures with various antennas. The main equipment was radar stations and direction finders, hydrophones and echo sounders, telemetry and classified communications stations. And although the flags of the Navy were hung on them, who they obeyed, where they were located and what they were doing, the absolute majority of the population of the Soviet Union did not know, even the commanders of military units, surface and submarines. Officers who came to serve on such ships only learned when accepting the position that hydrography was only a cover for the real tasks of the ship.

The secrecy of the ships was in everything, for example, during the transition from Kronstadt to the base, all visible antennas were dismantled and put back only in Murmansk. There, the ships were equipped with Ka-15 deck helicopters. To ensure further progress, the ships are assigned icebreakers. On the way, the helicopters practiced various tasks of getting used to the ship and reconnaissance of ice conditions. And although the helicopters were tested in the North, and combat missions were carried out on the Equator, the Ka-15 helicopters proved themselves well and for a long time remained the main helicopters of these ships.

Subsequently, the following ships were commissioned:
- KIK-11 “Chumikan”, a Project 1130 ship, entered service on June 14, 1963;
- KIK-11 “Chazhma”, project 1130 ship entered service on July 27, 1963;
- “Marshal Nedelin”, a ship of Project 1914, entered service on December 31, 1983;
- “Marshal Krylov”, a ship of project 1914.1, entered service on February 28, 1990;

After the addition of Project 1130 ships, 2 PIKs were created, codenamed “Brigade Ch”. Cover legend - TOGE-5. In 1985, the ships became part of the 35th brigade of the KIC. During combat and everyday life, the brigade adhered to the orders of the commanders-in-chief of the Navy and Strategic Missile Forces of the Soviet Union. In addition to the measurement ships, the brigades included two raid messenger boats and one MB-260 tugboat

Combat work and KIK missions

The presence of TOGE ships was a prerequisite for the start of testing of all Soviet ICBMs; they supported all flights of spacecraft of the Soviet Union and studied the flights of enemy spacecraft. The ships' first combat mission was the end of October 1959. First tracking and measurement of an intercontinental missile flight - late January 1960. The first manned flight into space was also provided by the TOGE-4 spacecraft, which were sent to a given area in Pacific Ocean and until the last they kept the combat mission secret from them. The ship "Chumikan" took part in 1973 in rescue operations for Apollo 13. In the early 80s, the ships supported the launch of the Soviet BOR. The end of the 80s - “Marshal Nedelin” supported the flight of the ISS “Buran”. "Marshal Krylov" completed its tasks in the Europe-America-500 mission. In the 1960s, TOGE-4 ships studied and collected information from American nuclear high-altitude explosions.

The ships ended their history very tragically:
- “Siberia” was cut into scrap metal;
- “Chutotka” was cut into scrap metal;
- “Spassk” was sold to the United States for 868 thousand dollars;
- Sakhalin was sold to China;
- “Chumikan” was sold for 1.5 million dollars;
- “Chamzha” was sold for 205 thousand dollars;
- “Marshal Nedelin” stood looted for a long time, money for restoration was never found, and was sold to India as scrap metal.
- they wanted to build another 3rd ship of the 1914 project, the ship “Marshal Biryuzov” was laid down and work began, but the collapse of the Soviet Union, like many other projects, put an end to its further completion, and it was eventually cut up to metal.

Project 1914.1 “Marshal Krylov”

Today, this is the last spacecraft of 8 ships capable of working with space and intercontinental objects. Based in the city of Vilyuchinsk, Kamchatka Peninsula.

The main developer is Balsudoproekt. The appearance of new measurement and control ships, completely built from “A” to “Z” in the Soviet Union, is a logical solution given the “arms race” that existed at that time. The ship embodied the experience of previously built ships, their modernization and equipping with new equipment. They planned to install the most modern equipment on the ship, expand the capabilities of deck helicopters and the entire functionality of the ship. The ship was laid down at the Leningrad shipbuilding facilities on June 22, 1982. The completed ship left the slipway on July 24, 1987. The ship arrived at its home base in mid-1990, having passed not like other ships along the Northern Route, but through the Suez Canal. In 1998, the ship changed its classification for the last time and became a communications ship.

The ships of projects 1914 and 1914.1 differed externally only in the presence of a second Fregat radar on the second hull with an improved antenna. Some changes affected the internal layout of the premises. Installed powerful monitoring tools allow you to perform additional tasks. The ship's hull received an anti-ice belt of class L1. The ship has:
- small foremast;
- mainmast with internal premises;
- mizzen mast with internal premises;
- two swimming pools, one on the superstructure deck, the other in the gym;
- helicopter deck and hangars for storing helicopters;
- TKB-12 installations with ammunition of 120 “Svet” lighting rounds;
- the ability to install 6 AK-630s, two in the bow and four in the stern of the ship;
- two propellers with adjustable pitch, diameter 4.9 meters;
- two propulsion and steering retractable columns with a propeller diameter of 1.5 meters;
- two steering devices with a propeller diameter of 1.5 meters;
- bulb with GAS resonator;
- car ZIL-131;
- watercraft - 4 closed lifeboats, work and command boat, 2 rowing yawls;
- a unique device for lifting space descent vehicles;
- automated landing complex “Privod-V”

Project 1914 and 1914.1 ships are some of the most comfortable naval ships. The ship is equipped with:
- the “Medblock” complex, consisting of an operating room, an X-ray room, a dental office, a treatment room and 2 cabins for astronauts;
- club room with stage and balcony;
- gym with showers;
- spacious bathhouse;
- library;
- family room;
- office;
- salon;
- ship's shop;
- dining room and two wardrooms;

Crew berth equipment:
- emergency service - 4-berth cabins with washbasin and wardrobes;
- midshipmen - 2-berth cabins with washbasin, wardrobes;
- officers, junior personnel - 2-bed cabins with shower;
- officers - single cabins;
- command - block cabins;
- ship commander - block cabin with a salon for celebrations.

The Project 1914.1 ship, even today, is one of the largest and most equipped ships of the Russian Navy. It represents the latest achievements of Soviet scientists and designers, of which we can highlight:
- two-way satellite communications complex “Storm”;
- Aurora space communications equipment, which provides telephone communication with the control center and astronauts in orbit;
- Zephyr-T equipment, one of the most important systems for working with antennas and objects;
- “Zefir-A” equipment, a unique measurement complex even today, the main advantage is the information processing algorithms used, a powerful complex of calculations;
- photo recording station “Woodpecker”. Although in terms of its parameters it works like an ordinary human eye, technologically it turned out to be a super complex complex - it has no analogues in the world;
- direction finder-radiometer “Kunitsa” - equipment of the last chance to collect information about the controlled object;
- navigation complex "Andromeda". Another representative of unique Soviet thought - carries out calculations of the coordinates of a given point and all related characteristics;

Main characteristics of "Marshal Krylov":
- type - steel with a 2-tier superstructure, an extended tank, has 14 compartments;
- displacement - 23.7 thousand tons;
- length - 211 meters;
- width 27.5 meters;
- draft - 8 meters;
- payload - 7 thousand tons;
- speed up to 22 knots;
- power - diesel DGZA-6U;
- two deck-based Ka-27 helicopters;
- reserves: fuel - 5300 tons, aviation fuel - 105 tons, water - more than 1000 tons, of which drinking water - more than 400 tons;
- autonomous navigation up to 3 months;
- ship crew - 339 people.

Here's another interesting boat