Probably not in the history of the former Soviet Union more romantic episodes and dramatic than the development of the Far North.The need for this was a first-class: in those regions lies a huge amount of minerals, which are badly needed in the industry is a young state.In addition, the data for the study of those places is very needed scientists, because they allow us to consider the stages of development of the entire planet.
In short, it was necessary to somehow get to the destination.In conditions of severe climate and a full off-road optimal solution was to use sea routes, only the navigation season in those parts is extremely short.The risk of being locked in the ice was great.
It was then and there was the world-famous Soviet ice-going fleet.One of the most significant of its representatives was the icebreaker "Arktika", the history of which is devoted to this article.This ship is so unique that it can be easily devote an entire book!If you read the article, you probably agree with us on this.
Brief technical characteristics
The ship has a very high and strong sides, just four decks and two loading platforms.To accommodate the controls and command structure used five-tiered deck superstructure.The movement of huge ship is just three screws (on each - four blades).In the central part of the icebreaker is a steam turbine, which generates steam for using a nuclear reactor.For the manufacture of the latter were used in all the theoretical and practical developments that the nuclear industry has had time to build up the Union at that time.
special feature of the entire structure is a body of high-quality alloy steel.Just think: the entire huge structure made of such a costly and incredibly durable material!In those places, which in practice are most pressure-ice provides protection, the so-called ice belt, which is a structural reinforcement layer build-up of the main body of the ship.
Other shipboard systems
important constructive part, which is different icebreaker "Arktika" are trim and crenic system.For towing, which often had to carry the crew of the vessel, towing is an entire area, located at the stern of the vessel.There was also a helipad.As a rule, used in the campaigns of the Mi-8, which was indispensable for carrying out long-range reconnaissance and location of ships stuck in the ice.
An important feature of the ship is very perfect in their times of automation, through which a nuclear reactor could operate for a long time in a fully autonomous mode without the need for constant and time-consuming watches.Sensors were installed in indoor rowing electric motors, power plants in the compartments, as well as the main switchboards.Management of the central power plant was carried out from the command center, which acts as the pilot house.
It is located at the top of the superstructure deck, since such a provision offers the most effective review.The width of the wheelhouse - about five meters in length it is stretched out on all 30 meters.The front and side walls of the wheelhouse is almost completely covered with extensive observation window.Oddly enough, but it is situated in the list of equipment rather modest.
So, the room are three completely identical control panel, which has the handle to control the direction of movement of the ship, as well as indicators showing the status of the position of the propeller and rudder.There are buttons to provide a warning beep, the device to activate the mechanism for emptying the ballast tanks.Picture completes the chart table, helm, table and hydrologists with sonar reception.
Peak power - 55 MW, a displacement of 23,000 tons.Speed (in ideal conditions) can reach about 18 knots, the length of a fully autonomous navigation is seven months.
History
himself icebreaker "Arktika", is the lead ship of the project 10520, was founded in 1971 on the stocks of the Baltic Shipyard.For the first time in the history of the Soviet fleet in the future crew of 150 people, not only participated in the construction of the vessel, but could give advice in its design.This practice allowed the sailors to learn a completely new technology in record time.The crew was headed by Captain S. Kuchiev.
It was an incredibly experienced captain who sailed on different types of ice-breakers for more than three decades.By the end of December 1972 the ship was lowered into the water, which is quite a record for a period for the construction of this kind.
Defense option of using
The government of the USSR almost immediately, it was decided that the icebreaker "Arktika" must have the technical capabilities to be used as a powerful cruiser Coast Guard.To achieve this, it should establish a set of large-caliber artillery weapons, equipment for the production of active interference, as well as an additional sample of military radar equipment."Program Maximum" also provides for testing under conditions close to the fighting.
After that, all military equipment was supposed to remove and preserve.The ship was planned to leave some of the most desired and sought after in times of war weapons, canned him in a special way (preserving the possibility of its early decompression and reduction in the firing position).
Basically, if you look at the qualitative model icebreaker "Arktika", you can see its contours outline warship.For the USSR, such militarization was not something new, as the country remembered the experience of 40s forever.
How were achieved such rates of construction of the ship
designers thought a long time about how to avoid any delays in the construction of the ship.For this purpose it was created a separate operational staff who worked under the direction of Victor Nilovich Shershneva.He made a decision: to make all the necessary tests in the sea, without entering the port at a time.
on board planned to take all the necessary military personnel, as well as a separate command, which was responsible for small arms and artillery weapons.The crew immediately rose to 700 people, while in the normal manner on board provided no more than 150 seats.
constructor and customer representatives had to work very hard to accommodate all of the required personnel, with no resentment.I had for this stay in Leningrad in four days.During this time the water level was sleeping far below the normal level, despite the fact that the successful conclusion of its ship had to be exceeded by 30-40 centimeters!
Conclusion vessel on sea trials
problems avoided, if only because it did not have to wait for anyone: the whole crew was in constant combat readiness and living on board.Introduced Marine Policy, the ship managed to safely bring in the sea.In mid-December 1974 in Moscow and Leningrad was adopted short and concise radio message: "The work is completed."Subsequently joked that Kuchiev surpassed Caesar himself: so briefly Having reported on the successful completion of sea trials the ship complicated!
were made hundreds of proposals to improve the running and mooring as an icebreaker, and most of them have been fully implemented designers of "hot pursuit".In April 1975, the first major outlet to the sea.This indicated that the icebreaker "Arktika", photos which are available in the article meets all the requirements that were laid at the design stage and sketches.
For April 25, 1975, when the ship was anchored in the port of Tallinn, it was hoisted the national flag of the USSR.Finally, formally signed the deed of transfer of property to the fleet, then a first-class icebreaker "Arktika" went straight to Murmansk, which houses its port of registry.It was a triumph for the whole scientific and defense industries of the vast country.
addition to thousands of people who were directly involved in the construction of the vessel in its designing and conducting experiments involving more than 350 (!) Research, defense, oceanographic and hydrological institutes, design bureaus, research institutes across the country.
Posting the Northern Sea Route
At the beginning of 1975, before its official acceptance, icebreaker "Arktika" (see photo. Above) brilliantly held on the Northern Sea Route icebreaker "Admiral Makarov" (diesel-electric).At the beginning of next year, he literally snatched from the captivity of ice hummocks same ship "Ermak" and saved from certain death cargo ship "Captain Myshevsky."It
"Arktika" icebreaker participated in the rescue of "Leningrad" with the transport ship "Chelyuskin".Happy captain called this event the high point of the new ship, since only for these four cases, it can be build.
Just two years as active work proved that in the Soviet Navy went totally unique in its kind flagship - nuclear icebreaker "Arktika".Model it in those days was considered the most coveted prey to any Soviet boys.And for good reason, I must say!It has been demonstrated not only the outstanding reliability of nuclear and other installations, and excellent seaworthiness of the ship.However, the irrepressible captain Kuchiev knew his "ward" is capable of more, and therefore require training far northern campaign.Soon his entreaties were heard.The team began to prepare for long-haul flights.
April 1977, experimental voyage to Yamal
In 1976, the ship left the port of Murmansk, in passing through the spending ice strengthened vessel "Pavel Ponomarev".Vehicles carrying on board nearly four thousand tons of various food and household goods.Not far from Cape Kharasavey team without too much difficulty managed to unload all the supplies to the fast ice, after which they were taken ashore.Both vessels are formed in the opposite direction, in the ice-free port of Murmansk.
Experience has shown that Kuchiev absolutely correct in his assessment of the highest ride quality of the ship, so for 1977 was immediately scheduled for the far more and far more challenging hike.Now it expected to make several flights to Yamal.This time the team was not only the first Arctic icebreaker, but the ship of the same class "Murmansk", as well as three transport cargo vessel.
«Miracles on bends»
In early 1977, the caravan safely set sail from Murmansk, and then have four days went up to Kharasavey.A week went to court to reverse course.The Barents Sea is one of Transport sent his way in Murmansk, where on arrival he immediately got up to boot.Meanwhile, the company icebreakers took another slave ship, and then held his former course.After just two days, the process was repeated again.
All the participants of the march unanimously recognized that the icebreaker "Arktika", the technical characteristics of which are presented in the article, he worked miracles, prolamyvayas hummocks monstrous thickness.
followers
now give a full list of all vessels built within the project 10520:
- «Arctic".
- «Siberia».
- «Russia».
- «the Soviet Union."
- «Yamal".
- «50 Years of Victory".
should be noted that the last icebreaker "Arktika" (a new ship "50 Years of Victory") was put into operation only in 2007, although its launching took place in 1993. The reason is simple - the new leadership of the country wasa constant lack of money.
Since the 2000s, an excursion to the Arctic on the icebreaker was made available to anyone interested (have money).Because of this required amount for final completion at last managed to collect and ship unfinished was introduced to the fleet of the Russian Federation.
New time
By 1999, the "old man" has worked for 25 years, spending through the northern route over three thousand vessels in the holds of which has been transported more than one million tons of valuable cargo.But the way the veteran has not been completed, it was waiting for a brand new record.From May to May, from 1999 to 2000, the ship spent in the Arctic Ocean 110 vessels.Of the 50 thousand nautical miles exactly 32 thousand ship passed without a single failure.Not bad for a 25-year-old "dinosaur" who has worked all his life in an unrealistically difficult conditions!
How to be used by the time the icebreaker "Arktika"?The museum or attraction for wealthy tourists, with which the sailors were strongly disagree!In fairness it should be noted that the first ship of the project 10520 in 2008 still became a museum, but its historical identity has been fully preserved.In those courts the project, which to this day remain in the ranks, you can take a tour on the icebreaker to the Arctic.Impressions of tourists who have been there, it is simply impossible to convey in words.Enthusiasm indescribable!
Extension operation
nuclear icebreaker was a real testing ground research.The Mariners have shown scientists that the power plant can ship a long time to work beyond the period allotted for it.By mid-2000 the main operating time of all systems and the ship was already about 146,000 hours.Given all this, scientists and designers decided that the service life of the "Arctic" can easily renew up to 175 thousand hours, and other ships to operate the project until they reach the operating time of 150 thousand.
flagship project allowed for the hundreds of thousands of experiments on it have been worked out a complex set of navigation and radar equipment the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, nuclear scientists gathered incredibly valuable data on the performance of nuclear power plants in extremely harsh conditions.The value that a nuclear icebreaker "Arktika" (photos are presented in the article), it is difficult to overestimate.
