The KIROV the first Russian cruiser after the revolution was built by the Putilov Dockyard or Ordzonikidze yard at Leningrad (St Petersburg), with technical design assistance from Italy.
22 Oct. 1935 keel laid down.
30 Nov. 1936 launched.
Displacement 7.756 standard tones, 9.436 tonnes maximum. Dim. 191 x 17.7m. draught 6.1m.
Powered by two Ansaldo geared steam turbines, with cruising diesels, manufactured by Tosi at Taranto, 113.000 hp., two shafts, speed 36 knots, maximum 35.9 knots. Steam was supplied by 6 Yarrow Normand boilers.
Action radius 3.750 mile by 18 knots. Bunker capacity 1.280 ton oil.
Armament during World War II, but was many time altered 9 – 7.1 inch, 8 - 4 inch AA, 10 – 37 mm, 6 MG.
Torpedo tubes 6 –21 inch in triple deck mountings. She could also carry 60 mines.
One catapult and one aircraft.
Commissioned on 23 Oct. 1938, other sources give Aug. 1937. Crew 872.
Original her second mast was behind the second funnel, but during modernization replaced before the funnel as seen on the stamp.
After commissioning she joined the Baltic Fleet.
After the Second World War broke out, on 1 December 1939 she bombarded shore batteries at Hango and Russaro in Finland.
June 1941 used as a escort for minelayers based at Ust-Dvinsk. She was forced to withdraw and move to Reval due to the German advance.
Her catapult and aircraft were removed in 1941, and replaced by 2 – 3.9 inch guns.
When the German army advanced to Reval in August 1941, the KIROV was flagship and on 28/29 August she escorted the evacuation fleet from Rival to Leningrad.
04 April 1942 damaged by a German air attack, and not repaired until 1943.
She was the first Russian surface ship in the Baltic, who was awarded the Order of Red Banner on 27 January 1943.
During January 1944 she bombarded German positions around the Leningrad area.
During 1944 she attacked Vyborg and her big guns provided fire support for the Russian Army towards that town. Thereafter she was not more used in any action during the rest of the Second World War.
After the war she was used as training and headquarter ship.
At that time she had an armament of 9 - 7.1 inch, 6 – 3.9 inch, 8 – 37mm and two old guns. Torpedo tubes were removed. During her time as a training vessel she was used only in the Baltic and visited mainly East German and Polish ports.
She was stricken from the Russian Navy list in December 1974.
Two of her bow turrets are now placed in Leningrad as a monument to honor her for defending the city.
Russia 1993 100r sg6439, scott6174
Source: Jane’s Fighting ships of World War II.
http://www.warship.get.net.pl/Rosja/Cru ... class.html
auke palmhof.
