A ghostly shiver ran down my spine. The cold damp air clung to me like a shroud. We stand before the Podvodnik Lodki Delfin a monument to Russia’s first combat-capable submarine.
The Delfin wasn’t just any submarine. It marked a pivotal moment in Russian naval history. Launched in May 1903 it entered service after successful sea trials in the Gulf of Finland. Before its official christening it was known as No 113 then No 150. Finally on 13 June 1904 it was officially named Delfin meaning dolphin.
Imagine the bravery of its crew. Twelve officers and men crammed into its 196-meter-long hull. Its design was based on John P Holland’s submarines but with modifications by Ivan Bubnov. Bubnov’s improvements included repositioned ballast tanks and Drzewiecki drop collars for external torpedoes. The Delfin’s power came from gasoline engines for surface travel and an electric motor for underwater propulsion. It could reach a speed of 9 knots surfaced and 45 knots submerged.
This seemingly successful vessel faced its share of misfortune. In June 1904 during a training dive the Delfin sank. Twenty-four men perished. The submarine was salvaged. Repairs were made. It was a testament to the dedication of its builders and crew. Another explosion in 1905 nearly claimed the Delfin once again.
Later the Delfin served in the Russo-Japanese War patrolling near Vladivostok. Its presence was enough to deter Japanese attacks. After the war the Delfin continued as a training vessel. Its final service was in the Arctic Ocean Flotilla. Damaged in a storm it was ultimately scrapped in 1932.
Despite its short lifespan the Delfin’s legacy is undeniable. It paved the way for Russia’s powerful submarine fleet. It represents the courage and ingenuity of early Russian submariners. Remember their stories. Remember their sacrifices. Remember the Delfin.