Historical view

Naval architect Ivan Bubnov submitted the draft of a new submarine to the navy in January 1905 in connection with the Russo-Japanese War. According to his idea, the submarine should be able to operate in the territorial waters of Japan and also attack warships located in enemy ports.

This was the first fully developed submarine in Russia, which could be used for patrolling and surveillance at sea for longer periods of time. Although the Navy considered the submarine a total success, they also pointed out some shortcomings. One of them was the low speed of the submarine (only 11.5 knots instead of 16 when surfacing and 6.5 knots instead of 7 when submerged) and the small capacity of the fuel reserve tanks. These deficiencies reduced the submarine's range of action.

The Akula submarine was used to patrol 19 times in WWI. The last battle raid took place in November 1915, when the Akula was sent on a patrol mission between Liepaja and Klaipeda. Four additional naval mines were placed on the submarine for this mission, which had to be placed in a sea passage used by the enemy without being noticed. However, the Akula did not put them. Instead, it hit a mine during the mission and sank with the entire crew. The Akula was removed from the fleet list on March 15, 1917. All 35 crew members died.

State: The aft section of the submarine broke as a result of the explosion. Some details of the wreck are scattered around it on the seabed. There are four mines with mechanical fuse mechanisms on the seabed on the port side. The casings of some mines have deteriorated, exposing the combustion chambers inside. Torpedoes that may be in the launch tubes are not a threat. There is a torpedo in a vertical position between the bridge and the stern at an angle of approximately 60 degrees. The upper end of the combustion chamber with the fuse is missing and the explosive can be seen inside the chamber.

Diving: Suitable for experienced divers. Diving to the wreck is not dangerous when the requirements for diving in monuments are followed. An anchor buoy has been placed next to the wreck for the sailing season

Akula Submarine Wreck

Sinking: November 15, 1915

Deaths: 35

Location: Baltic Sea, north of the Kõpu peninsula in Hiiumaa

Coordinates: 59 08.502, 22 11.663

Cultural monument reg. No. 30392, register.muinas.ee

Diving: under the instruction of a commercial operator offering diving services or with a diving permit

Shipwreck depth: 24 meters

Surrounding area depth: 29 meters

Shipwreck dimensions: 40 meters long, 4 meters wide

State: The aft section of the submarine broke as a result of the explosion. Some details of the wreck are scattered around it on the seabed. There are four mines with mechanical fuse mechanisms on the seabed on the port side. The casings of some mines have deteriorated, exposing the combustion chambers inside. Torpedoes that may be in the launch tubes are not a threat. There is a torpedo in a vertical position between the bridge and the stern at an angle of approximately 60 degrees. The upper end of the combustion chamber with the fuse is missing and the explosive can be seen inside the chamber.

Diving: Suitable for experienced divers. Diving to the wreck is not dangerous when the requirements for diving in monuments are followed. An anchor buoy has been placed next to the wreck for the sailing season

Source: BALTACAR

Photo: Tomesz Stachura

Infographic and translation of the original text: Caco Pradas