Vessel Profile

Leninskiy Komsomolets

Leninskiy Komsomolets
Photo: Wikipedia Collection

Story

This submarine, naval (nuclear) was built in 1957 by Severodvinsk (Building and Construction Company SKB-143).

Historical Notes

In 1962 this vessel surfaced at the North Pole. Captain L.M. Zhilitsov ws awarded the medal of a Hero of the Soviet Union for this feat. Leninskiy Komsomol, the first Soviet nuclear powered submarine, was launched on 09 August 1957. The boat's nuclear reactors started for the first time on 04 July 1958, and on 17 July 1962, K-3 was the first Soviet submarine to reach the North Pole. Several units of this class suffered reactor accidents. On 09/08/1967 this vessel suffered a fire under Arctic ice. The submarine was towed to Severodvinsk where the decision was made not to deactivate the reactor. The reactor compartment of the ship (No. 258) was therefore cut out and transported away to be dumped in Abrosimova Bay in the Kara Sea. One of the reactors was dumped with its fuel. A new section with two reactors was then installed, but in 1967 another accident occurred affecting this section. On 10/09/1962 this vessel was named.

In 1991 this vessel was turned into a museum memorial.

Owners & Masters

In 1957-1991 she was owned by the Soviet Navy.

Masters

Captain L.G. Osipenko (1957); Captain L.M. Zhilitsov (1962)

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