The Russian fleet has many ships, but each is close to the heart of the people. Because husbands, brothers, sons, grandchildren serve in the crew. Ships escorted and look forward to returning. They plow the seas and oceans, go with other diplomatic, humanitarian and military missions to other countries, participate in exercises. Many of these events are covered in the press, and publications are read to the ground by relatives of the military. One of such “stars” of the media is “Shrewd” - a ship of the Black Sea Fleet.
Construction history
The operational-tactical task for the development of the vessel was received and approved by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy on March 14, 1956. Later the project received the number 61. Perhaps because it was being built at the shipyard named after 61 Communards in Nikolaev. It took almost ten years to create and approve the project and all design decisions. Construction began only in 1966. The project 61 ship “Shrewd” was conceived for the air defense of its ships against enemy aircraft and missiles, as well as for anti-submarine defense. Equipped for this with all the necessary weapons and radar systems.
The construction of the ship was completed in 1967, a year later it was checked and put on the lists of the USSR Navy, and on October 21, the Smetlivy, a large project 61 anti-submarine ship, was included in the Black Sea Fleet and began its service.
Project 61
The Institute, which was engaged in the sketching and design of the ship, considered various design solutions. For example, seven weapon placement options were proposed. As a result, the weapons were placed in a linear manner, which allows the use of all anti-aircraft guns at once from one side. This is very convenient for a massive air attack. Anti-submarine missiles were removed from the ammunition, but they increased the stock of missiles to 24. At first the power plant was adopted a boiler turbine, but upon approval of the project it was proposed to consider a variant with a gas turbine installation, which allowed to reduce the displacement of the ship. The development of the world's first such a large vessel with a gas turbine power plant, which is used in all navigation modes, has begun.
If in many countries special air defense systems are developed for ships or air force technologies are used, in the USSR it was decided to process anti-aircraft missile systems of the ground defense forces. On the basis of ground-based air defense systems, a new Volna launcher was created with a control, storage, supply and loading system developed for high-water conditions.
"Shrewd" - a ship unique in its design and space-planning decisions. To achieve the established technical characteristics, it was necessary to change the ship's hull, although initially it was taken according to the type of projects 50, 56 and 57 bis. The layout of residential and office premises was adopted as standard, with the exception of command posts, the premises of the power plant, officers' cabins, corridors and a dining room, the rules of modern warfare made special demands. These changes were adopted in accordance with the atomic defense and the layout of weapons. The cabins and corridors were made closed, without natural light, the team can get into any compartment of the ship without leaving the deck. The commander from his point could observe the underwater, surface and air conditions and control all the combat systems of the ship.
Singing frigate
"Savvy" - a ship that received the nickname "Singing Frigate." He does not sing at all, does not perform romances, but his gas turbines sound very melodic. And when you meet a ship in port or dispatch, you can hear their sonorous overflow. It is unlikely that such an effect was conceived by the designers in advance, this is the will of chance. Now, even after many years, having forgotten all the merits of the ship, they will remember him as “The Singing Frigate”
Modernization
It will be half a century soon, as the "Shrewd" carries out his service. Weapons are changing, new materials are coming into use. The technique needs to be updated to remain effective. In 1990-1995, the ship was modernized according to project 01090. The marine non-acoustic complex MNK-300 was installed on the ship with an antenna in the form of a 300-meter cable behind the stern, which traces the track of the enemy submarine. Also, instead of two RBU-1000s, 8 guides for anti-ship missiles Uranus were installed. New jamming installations, radar systems and anti-ship missile systems mounted. Now this is not a large anti-submarine, but the patrol ship of the Black Sea Fleet “Shrewd”, which can participate in all military services.
Predecessor story
Have you ever wondered why ships have such names? It is possible that the source can no longer be reached, but sometimes you can find very interesting stories. Here, for example, "Shrewd" - a ship that was built in 1967? So, not really. The fact is that the "Shrewd" participated in the Second World War. Only it was not a large anti-submarine ship, but a destroyer. He participated in the war with Finland, and by 1941 was considered one of the best in the Navy.
From the water, he constantly bombarded German positions in Estonia, was undergoing repairs in Leningrad and was returning to Tallinn again. When making a breakthrough in Kronstadt, the "Shrewd" is the only destroyer that has fully preserved combat effectiveness. He took a direct part in the defense of Leningrad from September to October 1941. He used his guns as artillery to shell enemy positions and participated in water operations.
The last operation of the destroyer "Sharp"
An operation began to evacuate the garrison from the Hanko naval base. It was necessary to make a breakthrough from Kronstadt, by then mined. The destroyer "Shrewd" along with the "Harsh", four minesweepers, four hunters and torpedo boats was in the second breakout group. Without loss we reached Hanko.
During the stop, the destroyer came under artillery fire, and a stern gun was damaged. On November 4, the vessel, having accepted 560 people, lay back on course. The weather was getting worse, and it was difficult to get past the minefield. The ship was at the tail of the group, closer to night the first mine exploded. The destroyer remained afloat, but lost speed. After short repair work, he continued to move and was blown up in the second mine, detonated the ammunition. The bow of the ship was torn off, it sank fifteen minutes later with the captain. The destroyer was left without a course and control, began to sink. The third mine tore off the stern. The ripening boats and minesweepers saved three and a half hundred people.
Turkish sailors incident
The news about the clash of Turkish fishermen and Russian sailors on January 13, 2015 spread around all the media. It was twisted in different ways. The Turks claim that they did not see any ship, moved their course, did not hear any signals or shots, everything was in normal mode. Although how can you not see the "Sharp" - a ship whose photo you see below? As reported from a patrol ship, in the Aegean, a Turkish seiner appeared on the starboard side and went into ram. The “sharp-witted” anchored and began to give signals and get in touch by radio, but no one answered. When 600 meters remained before the collision, shots from small arms were fired at a safe distance. After that, the Turkish seiner changed course and walked along the side at a distance of 540 meters.
Meeting the ship. Sevastopol
The ship "Shrewd" returns to the port of this legendary city, and they are always waiting for it here. On the shore, a meeting begins in a few hours. People gather with the flags of the Russian Navy, cameras and even fan-made tricks. Tourists specially come to see this event. When the ship enters the port, the crew lines up along the side in full dress and salutes their hometown to the sounds of the song “Legendary Sevastopol”.
