A.G. class Submersible (1917)

Soviet Navy Project 602F: 17 Planned, 11 completed. 9 lost, 2 retired 1950.
A.G.11-15, 21-26. Metallist, Trotskogo, Lunacharskogo, Marxist, Politrabotnik.

For the start of 2026, exactly 110 years ago, a brand new lineage was born. We will epxlore the entire Soviet Submersible class tree from the AG class to the series XVI, so fourteen entries, ending in 2027 and linking up with the Project 613 Whiskey class. The 1916 AG class was a long-lived type that put the bases for subsequent Soviet designs started a decade later in 1926. The first Soviet Submarine were interestingly enough… American, and in kit. These WW1 Holland 602-type were ordred at Electric Boat by the Imperial Russian Navy. Despite of the revolution, they were delivered by kits from Canada to Vladivostok and sent by train for completion at Petrograd and Nikolayev. Troubled times as the revolution broke up. Some ended in Wrangel’s fleet in Bizerte, others became the first Ukrainian submarines, other were briefly British and the remainder ended in the “Red” Navy, changing names many times. In total 11 were completed, many were scuttled, those which survived were still active WW2, the last two scrapped as late as 1950s…

Development

Introduction

Late October 1920, Central Executive Committee head M. I. Kalinin visits “Comrade Trotsky” (AG-23, A-1) in Odessa.

Other Holland Types in service

The first Soviet Submarine was indeed American. Previously, the Imperial Russian Power had interest in submersibles since 1865 when Aleksandrovski was buit, so earlier than many. For the war of 1878 entire series of midget subs were built for black sea operations, all in Russia. Engineer Bubnov designed its first combat sub in 1902 and the first class, Kasatka, followed by a first order of Holland class boats launched in 1905-07 at St. Petersburg Nevsky shipyard. Its rival was Baltic Works. Then Lake boats, built at Arsenal Yard in Libau. Krupp was ordered the Forel (1904), then the Karp class from Germaniawerft (1907) simpling other influences. They all used Drzewiecki drop collar torpedoes rather than traditional tubes.

Other classes of note were the Lake class Kaiman (1907), Bubnov’s Minoga (1908), Bunov’s Lake inspired Akula (1907), and Pochtovy (Dzeewiecki design 1908) by public subscription.
The Russian Imperial Navy had notably the distinction of having the world’s first minelayer submarine in service, Krab in 1912 by engineer Naletov (ordered 1908). The the Imperial Naval staff ordered a midget Holland Type from Nevski Yard, Bubnov delivered it’s largest class so far, the Morzh class (1913) and Italian sampling with the Svyatoy Georgi. Then another Holland order (type 31A) the Narval class launched in 1914 and the wartime Bubnov design, the Bars class (launched 1915-1916). A second Fiat-Laurenti was ordered, F1, launched at Ansaldo in 1916. She became one of the first Soviet subs when finally she arrived in 1917. Other wartime class ordered before 1917, the B, G, V and Z class were all cancelled

“Amerikanski Goland”

AG-21 Metallist

So the Russian Imperial Navy had already a considerable park of submarine when the Revolution of 1917 started, with designs from Germany, Italy, and the US, both Holland and Lake. The naval staff realized that the Holland design was the best of the two and order the AG class designed by John Philip Holland at Electric Boat Company under the type 602GF/602L, very similar to the American H class (see later). The Russian abbreviation “AG” restulted from its classifications “Amerikansky Golland” (“American Holland”) when in 1916, the Russian Naval Ministry ordered eleven of them. However since US Electric Boat yards were already at full capacity, the order was transferred to Barnet Yard in Vancouver (British Columbia) in Canada. In addition they were small enough to be designed as knockdown kits for easier transfer by ship and train.

These kits were indeed first transported by cargo ships from Vancouver to the Pacific coast and then, to Vladivostok. There, the modules were loaded on board flatbeds, and went over the Trans-Siberian Railroad, west to European Russia via the Urals. They were eventually assembled at the Baltic Shipyard, Saint Petersburg and since room was lacking, also at its subsidiary in Nikolayev, Black Sea. Like British H-class they her Fessenden transducers that acted as primitive sonars.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 caught them by surprise as all designs in construction across Russian Yards. The boats assembled in Nikolayev were captured by the Bolsheviks, but the lack of skilled workers, which were enrolled in the Revolution for the most, their supervisors often fleeing and joining the Whites, they were completed after much time and effort with the very few workers that were present initially and that could be found.

In 1918, the completed AG 21 to AG 26 in Nokolayev were found in the newly independent state of Ukraine, and included into the brand new Ukrainian Navy. In 1920, AG 22 was taken over by the Russian Whites (Wrangel’s fleet) and evacuated to Bizerta. Five AG types were earlier numbers were also taken over by the Red Army after the Civil war but only completed after the war. The six extra boats ordered on option were never completed but not cancelled with the revolution. They were taken over by the U.S. Navy as the H class in 1918. In total only 11 would be completed despite numbers jumping a serie.

Order, Transport and Construction

With the outbreak of World War I, the Russian submarine force needed to be reinforced, and aside traditional Bubnov designs that were ordered en masse like the Bars class, others were to be ordered in the US as Russian shipyards were already at full capacity. To gain time it was asked to Holland of they could deliver kits ready for assembly in Russia. Holland obliged, and proposed a knock-on variant of its successful H class built for its own Navy and Britain. On June 22, 1915, Reval Shipyard, funded by the Noblessner Shipbuilding Joint-Stock Company informed the Naval Ministry they reached agreement with Electric Boat Company to supply three or five knock-on Holland-type, albeit they would be delivered by their alternative shipyard in Vancouver, then shipped to Vladivostok.

Final assembly was to be performed at Reval, already occupied by the Bars-class submarine and could not meet the deadlines after a tender. So the Baltic Shipyard was awarded the assembly contract. For the first five it was signed on August 18, 1915. The 602F types were supposed to be completed in April, the remaining two in May 1916. From Canada to Vladivostok they camed on three steamships, Montmigl, Koan Maru, and Gishen Maru. The first had its content unloaded inf Kobe at first and her to had to be delivered by the Volunteer Fleet steamship from Tula. From Vladivostok, the sections were carried by rail to Petrograd, Baltic Shipyard. Assembly started on April 2, 1916 under supervision of Engineers led by E. Willer from Electric Boat. The hull parts delivery cost was $3,512,500 (7,239,000 rubles) and the assembly in Russia 1,340,250 rubles. During work, it was soon apparent that fitting hull parts and equipment as stipulated in the contract from prefabricated sections on-site was to be performed by local workers. They first boats were launched by crane in August 1916.

AG-24 in construction, 1919

Considering the relatively rapid transportation and assembly of the AG-type submarines, the Naval Ministry signed three more contracts on September 19, October 25, 1916, and February 8, 1917 for the delivery of 12 submarines, six for the Black Sea Fleet (under local Projects 602GF and 602L), three for the Baltic Fleet (Project 602R), and three for the Northern Fleet flotilla (Project 602R) for a total cost of 28,872,000 rubles excluding assembly. The new ones showed minor design differences from the Project 602F.

Planned dates for commissioning for the Black Sea was for the autumn 1917, and at the North Se fleet and Baltic in September and November 1917. The first submarines Project 602GF at Nikolaev were indeed completed by August 18, 1917. Black Sea boats (three in each batch), were transported to Vladivostok on the steamships Unkai Maru, Harold Dollar, Hazel Dollar, Strida and Arabian. Aassembly at Nikolaev (branch of the Baltic Shipyard) startred on March 28, on March 30, April 29, 1917 for the three hulls, supervised by Electric Boat, under Chief engineer Johnston, mechanical engineer R.B. Gilmore, electrical engineer T.A. Graves. It was expected Russian engineers and workers would take over after training in the last two yards. On August 21, 1917, the first three were commissioned into the Black Sea Fleet as AG-21, AG-22, and AG-23. The second batch were later assigned the designations AG-24 and AG-26. AG-21 entered service in 1918, AG-22 in 1919, and AG-23 on October 21, 1920. In ebwteen the revolution caused a change of flags.

Testing of the first boats were performed in Kronstadt at Björkö Sound and Reval under supervision of American instructors, successfull. The commission also noted design flaws, like a tendency to float after torpedo launches, unreliable operation for some sub-systems and unsatisfactory habitability. The first batch entered servce by September-November 1916 with the Russian Imperial flag, with deficiencies noted and addressed during the winter at Revel. All five had a designated supply vessel, the Oland. On June 8, 1916, they joined the fleet as AG-11 to AG-15. One boat did not return from a sortie (wartime or accidental loss) and the four remaining to avoid capture by German troops were scuttled along with Oland in the Hanko Peninsula, trapped by ice.

Model of the AG26

Model of the AG-26

Submarines AG-24, AG-25, and AG-26 were completed after the Civil War, with a shortage of skilled labors and of components and equipment. They ended with only one periscope, 5.1 m tall. AG-26 had 120 hp diesel engines different from her sisters. AG-24 and AG-25 were assembled only on November 22, 1919, and AG-26 on October 23, 1920 under supervision of Ya. S. Soldatov, P. I. Serdyuk, future chief designer of the XII series (M-type submarines). These Black Sea Fleet boats were modernized in the interwar and used as training boats but still made offensive sorties in WW2 completing 15-20 combat mission. For historians what made them confusing were their frequent renaming. From numbers to revolutionary names, back to numbers again, not in the same order.

AG14 at Petrograd in completion

Assembly of three second-batch Baltic Fleet boats AG-17, AG-18 and AG-19 and the three North fleet AG-20, AG-27 and AG-28 was planned at the Baltic Shipyard, Petrograd. Delivery planned by barges and via inland waterways for the second. Originally built at the same yard as the others close to the town of Barnet, 10 miles from Vancouver, under the British Pacific Engineering and Construction Company they were ready by September 1917 for loading onto the large steamer Key West to Russia but the revolution changed everything. There was at the time a Russian Committee in New York and they suspended the loading. The newly formed Supreme Naval Board of Russia then cancelled the contract on November 29, 1917. They were transferred nominally to the Electric Boot Company. which tried to sell them to the British Admiralty and then the USN. On April 13, 1918, the latter accepted to purchase these, integrated as the H class (H-4 through H-9, SS-147 to SS-152) and assembled in the original EB plant. They only competed as the war ended in November 1918, commissioned but seeing a short career in the Pacific until 1922, then 2nd class subs in Norfolk for coastal defense, in reserve until 1931 and scrapped.

Design of the class

General arrangement diagram of the AG-type submarines (1941). Note: The diagram was drawn by Yu.V. Apalkov based on original drawings.

1 – 450 mm torpedo tubes;
2 – forward main ballast tank;
3 – anchor;
4 – torpedo room;
5 – forward entry hatch;
6 – torpedo loading hatch;
7 – forward trim tank;
8 – fuel tanks;
9 – spare torpedoes;
10 – high-pressure air system cylinders;
11 – forward battery (accommodation) compartment;
12 – battery cells;
13 – middle group of ballast tanks; 14-way bridge;
15 – attack periscope;
16 – anti-aircraft periscope;
17 – strong conning tower;
18 – central compartment;
19 – central;
20 – control wheels for the bow and stern horizontal rudders;
21 – middle entrance hatch;
22 – stern battery compartment;
23 – stern entrance hatch
24 – engine room;
25 – diesel;
26 – main propulsion motor with disengaging clutch;
27 – thrust bearing;
28 – vertical rudder drive;
29 – stern trim tank;
30 – stern main ballast tank.

The design of the AG-class submarine was considered successfulby the Russian Admiralty when the first were received. These single-hulled boats had a circular cross-section ending with an elliptical shape at the stern and forward roudned bow for an overall teardrop shape apart the vertical extensions at the bow and keel. The conning tower and deck flooring were added on top, but this became a vertical ridge at the stern. The watertight sail was located above the central control post at 18-89 frames, housing the cambered bow horizontal rudders, capstans and surface anchors, engine gas outlets, signal buoy with telephone among others.

The conning tower above the central compartment had upper and lower covers to be used as airlock and exit the submarine in emergency when stuck submerged. The two periscopes comprised one for observation (central compartment) and another one from the conning tower. It was 127 mm in diameter but the first reached 6.4 m and the second only 4 m. Between the periscope portico ain air inlet was installed to supply fresh air to the diesel engines in rough weather or stationary, shut from the conning tower whe diving. ach boat had a box keel and main bilge line connecting the forward and aft central bilge tanks. Atop the bow was installed the usual 5.5 m trapeze with a saw to cut nets.

Stability was good, with a metacentric height, surfaced, of 0.27 m, and submerged of 0.17 m. The pressure hull was divided into four compartments, all closed by watertight bulkheads. Three compartments had exit hatches and extended coamings for emergency egress. The diving system counted eight gravity-filled ballast tanks with seacocks and ventilation valves. The pumps were actived by a compressed air system activated by current either from the diesels or electric engines.

Hull and general design

The crew varied between boats: It was 37 ratings and 3 officers for the 602F, 30 and 3 officers on the 602GF, 32 ans the same on the 602L and 31 but 7 officers after 1930, and 32 and same in WW2.

Project Diagram:

General Arrangement Diagram of the AG-Type Submarines, later Project 602F:

Steering Gear;
Air Compressors;
Submarine Lifting Eye;
End Posts;
Ventilation;
Exhaust Muffler;
Engine Room Hatch;
Electrical Distribution Panels;
Ballast Tank Ventilation Valves;
Periscopes;
Conning Tower Upper Hatch;
Helmsman’s Station (HPS);
Masts;
Torpedo Loading Hatch;
Signal Buoy with Telephone;
Submarine Anchor Capstan;
Surface Anchor Capstan;
Exit hatch;
Above-water anchor;
Fore hydroplane drive;
Towing eye;
Forward torpedo tube cover;
Torpedo tubes;
Fore trim tank;
Submerged anchor;
26 (also 32,42) Main ballast tanks
Seacocks;
Fuel tanks;
Spare torpedoes;
Storage battery;
Central control room;
Auxiliary tank;
Surge tank;
Electric galley;
Lubricating oil tank;
Diesel engines;
Box keel;
Main electric motors;
Aft trim tank;
Vertical rudder;
Fore hydroplanes;
Submarine signaling instruments;
Aft hydroplanes
Compressed air cylinders;

The AG class, like the H class, had a displacement of 355 long tons (361 t) surfaced and 433 long tons (440 t) submerged. In Length they reached a modest 150 ft 3 in (45.80 m) for a beam 16 ft (4.9 m) and a draught of 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m). This was still large for Holland standards. Inside their pressure hull was a crew of 30 officers and ratings. Nevertheless these figured varied between batches: Displacement, surfaced was 355.7t (602F), 355t (602GF) or 360.9t (602L) and submerged 467/440.5t (602F), 434.0 (602GF), 440.0 (602L).

In size batches varied: In lenght overall: 45.8m (602F, 602GF), 46m (602L), 45.7m (after 1930), 46m (after 1940)
In Width: 4.81m (602F), 4.88 (602GF), 4.8m (602L), 4.88m (after 1930), 4.8m (after 1940).
In draft, average: 3.76m (602F), 3.8m (602GF), 3.84m (602L), 3.8m (after 1930), 3.84m (after 1940).

Ballasts

The main ballast tanks were located at the ends and amidships within the pressure hull. This required an increase in the pressure hull diameter, but it also accelerated diving and improved internal layout. The total capacity of the main ballast tanks was 78.3 cubic meters. Blowdown (air pressure 7 kg/cm) was performed at depths no greater than 52 meters through a distribution box in the main hull. The main bilge ballast pumps were a centrifugal pump with a capacity of 7.64 m/hour and a piston pump with a capacity of 0.76 m/hour. The boat’s control was concentrated in the central control station, with provision for control from the wheelhouse. The stern horizontal rudders were located behind the propellers, increasing their efficiency.

Powerplant

The AG class had two shafts normally driven by two diesel engines (480 bhp (360 kW) and alternatively underwater by two electric motors (640 hp (480 kW)). The electric engines developed 310 hp each, in overload mode at a current strength of 1140 A. But at normal full power, 160 hp (220 V, 575 A). Onboard voltage was 120 V. Fuel capacity was 15 tons. Batteries were in sealed pits. They all received steam heating thanks to four 300-watt electric heaters, with portable fans, and a low-level grenade (LGR) enclosure. Two 12.2-meter telescopic masts were supposed to carry a radio antenna, complete with lights and signals. They were stored in built-in wells on top of the upper ballasts.

These single-hull boats had diesel-electric starting with two 480 hp diesels for the 602F, same for the 602GF and 602L but AG-26 was completed with two 120 hp diesels instead. Two electric motor rated to 310 hp (boosted) and two 160 hp to power on board equipment. They were two battery groups of 60 cells each. Endurance was 15 days.

Diving range varied between batches, 61 meters max for the 602F, 100 meters for the 602GF and 602L limited to 50m after 1940. However in serviced they operated at 45.7m (602F), 50m (602GF, 602L), and 40m (after 1940).
Top speed, surfaced, varied between batches: 12.5-13.0 (602F), 11.5 (602GF), 12.0 (602L), 12.1 (after 1930), 12.8 (after 1940). Economic speed, surfaced was on average 11 knots. Submerged this varied, 10.5-10.8 (602F), 10.0 (602GF, 602L), 8.6 (after 1930), 8.5 (after 1940). And underwater economic speed was 5 knots in all cases.

Range, Surfaced was 2200 nm (602F), 1800 nm (602GF, 602L), 1,460 nm (after 1940) and at at economic speed 2,580 nm (602F), 2,450 nm (602GF), 2,400 nm (602L), 2,580 nm (after the 1930s), and 2,700 nm (after the 1940s). Submerged only 25 nm and submerged at economic speed 100 nm.

Armament

Torpedoes

The submarine’s primary armament consisted of four 450 (457) mm bow torpedo tubes with four in reserve. No tail tubes. These torpedo tubes could fire in salvos of two each at the lower left to upper right, and vice versa to avoid underwater wake interference. The models were likely the same used in the Russian fleet at large,

Deck Gun

According to the original design, no deck gun was planned to preserve stability. The crew could only deploy a 7.62-mm light machine gun. Hoever the Baltic AG boats were eventually armed with one Hotchkiss QF 47-mm gun. None for AG-21, only while in the Wrangel’s Naby for AG-22, either a 57mm gun or 47mm gun mounted on the deck behind the torpedo-loading hatch. Some were armed with 37mm guns. By the mid-1920s, they all were standardized to the 47mm Hotchkiss located between hatch No.4 and the conning tower. The ammunition capacity was 60 rounds, increased to 110 in the early 1930s. The ammunition was stored in boxes in the central compartment on patrol or in the latrine moored at its base.

Upgrade

After 1938, it was replaced by the more modern semi-automatic 45mm 21-K gun issued to all Black Sea AG-class boats and installed until 1939. Up to 200 shells were stored in special boxes in the fourth compartment, manually fed to the deck from the main gun hold. In WW2 it was increased to 300 shells. In complement a 7.62mm M-1 (Maxim) machine gun was stored in a sealed tarp in the conning tower, mounted on a swivel when deployed. Often a second 7.62mm DP machine gun on a pintle was also installed.

⚙ specifications
Displacement	355 long tons (361 t) surfaced, 433 long tons (440 t) submerged
Dimensions	45.8 x 4.9 x 3.81 m (150 ft 3 in x 16 ft x 12 ft 6 in)
Propulsion	2 shafts diesels 480 bhp (360 kW), 2 EM 640 hp (480 kW).
Speed	13 kts surfaced, 10.5 knots submerged
Range	1,750 nmi (3,240 km; 2,010 mi)/7 kts surfaced, 25 nmi (46 km; 29 mi) at 3 kts/submerged
Mas Depth	50 metres (160 ft)
Armament	4× bow 18-in (457 mm) TTq (8), 47mm (1.9 in) deck gun
Crew	30

Appearance

Modifications

ééééThe submarines underwent numerous repairs and modernizations. During these upgrades, new artillery armament, more powerful diesel engines and electric propulsion motors, and other components were installed, improving key components, including increasing speed and range. As of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the AG-type submarines had the following characteristics: displacement of 390/520 tons, main dimensions of 4.6 x 4.85 x 3.9 m, propulsion power (surface/underwater) 2 x 480 (originally designed by Electric Boat Company Holland) / 2 x 240 hp, full speed (surface/underwater) – 14.5/10.5 knots, cruising range at economic speed (surface/underwater) 4500/120 miles, crew of 32 people, armament 4 TA x 450 mm (8 torpedoes), 1 x 45-mm semiautomatic 21-K, ammunition – 200 shells, 1 machine gun. In general, AG-type submarines have proven themselves well due to the reliability of their mechanisms, good Seaworthiness, greater survivability, and the presence of rescue equipment for submariners in emergency situations. Some submarines remained in service for approximately 30 years, seeing active combat during the Great Patriotic War. They were rightfully considered among the most advanced in their class during the First World War.

Career and Evaluation

Five of these submarines operated from the Baltic Fleet, six from the Black Sea Fleet. Onlt the first saw action doe a short time before the revolution. They operated together with the British submarine flotilla against the German Navy. After October 1917 and with the Finnish Civil War they had to be evacuated. In 1918, the German occupation of Tallinn and Brest-Litovsk peace treaty forced the British flotilla to Helsinki. The German intervention in the Finnish Civil War and landing of the 10,000 men of the Baltic Division in Hanko forced the Russian crews to scuttle the eight remaining submarines and three support ships: Cicero, Emilie and Obsidian off Helsinki. Negotiations with the Germans to depart to Kronstadt was marred by ice conditions, and this was abandoned for the four Russian subs in Hanko, under threat of capture by Rüdiger von der Goltz on 3 April. Both AG 12 and AG 16 had their cocks open and sank in Hanko. Later they were raised by the Finns but could not refurbish them. They were kept without work done until the new naval plan forced their scrapping. As for the remaining five AGs they were all modernized in the late 1930s. Two sank in in World War II: A-1, scuttled to prevent capture on 26 June 1942, A-3 by a German ASW ship. Before this, she managed to sink the Romanian merchant SS Sulina (3495 GRT).

AG-11, AG-12, AG-15, AG-16 and submarine tender Oland

Baltic Fleet

AG-11

AG-11 was the first in class, built in 1915 at Barnet Yard in Vancouver, originally for the British RN. On 18.08.1915 she was purchased by the “Noblessner” yard following the order of the Russian Navy. She was listed on 04 June 1916 with the Baltic Fleet, delivered by train from Vladivostok for completion at Petrograd and re-laid down on 02 April 1916, launched in the summer of 1916 under US supervision. She entered service on 09 September 1916. She started patrols on the approaches to German ports and bases, making five of such sorties until the February Revolution. On October 25, 1917, she joined the Red Baltic Fleet, but on April 3, 1918, shs could not withdrewn trapped in ice. The crew was forced to have the cocks open and setting up a charge. The latter detonated and she sank in Ganges (Hanko) harbor to avoid capture, later raised by Finnish teams but never repaired and eventually dismantled and scrapped.

AG-12

AG-12 was also originally built in 1915 for the RN as the “Electric Boat С” at Bamet Yard, Vancouver, then repurchased on 18 August 1915 and listed with the Russian Navy on 4 June 1916, Baltic Fleet, delivered by sea to Vladivostok, and by rail to the Petrograd for completion, laid down on 04/02/1916, launched on 18/08/1916, commissioned on 17/11/1916. She made only four sorties against German maritime trade and lines of communication, stayed in ambushg at the entrance of portrs and patrolled on approaches to bases along the shoreline, until the February Revolution. On October 25, she was integrated into the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. On April 3, 1918, like her sister she was scuttled, blown up by her crew in Hanko to avoid capture. Raised by the Finns 3 April 1918 she was never repaired and eventually scrapped.

A.G. 13

A.G. 13 (in 07/08/1917 A.G. 16) was originally a RN submarine ordered in 1915 and like the others was purchased on the stocks at Bamet Yard in Vancouver on 18 August 1915, listed in the register on 04 June 1916 of the Baltic Fleet, sent disassembled by sea to Vladivostok and by rail to the Baltic Shipyard, re-laid down on 02 April 1916, launched on 31 Augsut 1916, and commissioned on 17 November 1916. She only made three sorties until the February Revolution. On October 25, 1917, she was re-assined to the Red Banner Baltic Fleet, but scuttled on April 3, 1918, as she was trapped by Ice, unable to withdrew in Hanko. Like her sister she was later raised by the Finns but budget wa slacking to repair her so she ended dismantled and scrapped.

A.G. 14

A.G. 14. Built in 1915 for the British Navy according to the design of the Elektnk Boat Co. at the Barnet Yard shipyard in Vancouver (Canada), but on 18.08.1915, acquired by the Noblessner plant by order of the Russian Navy and on 04.06.1916 added to the list of ships of the Baltic Fleet, in the same year delivered in disassembled form by sea to Vladivostok, and from there by rail to the Baltic Shipyard in Petrograd for completion, re-laid down on 02.04.1916, launched in the fall of 1916, entered service on 17.11.1916. Participated in World War I (search operations on enemy communications, carrying out positional and patrol service on the approaches to ports and bases: committed 3 military campaigns) and in the February Revolution. In July 1917, she died of unknown causes at a position in the Libau (Liepaja) area.
AG-15 (sunk in June 1917, raised, scuttled at Hanko, 3 April 1918)

A.G. 15

A.G. 15 Built in 1915 for the British Navy according to the design of the company “Elektrik Boat Co” at the shipyard “Bamet Yard” in Vancouver (Canada), but on 18.08.1915 she was acquired by the Noblessner plant by order of the Russian Navy and on 04.06.1916 she was included in the lists of ships of the Baltic Fleet, in the same year she was delivered in disassembled form by sea to Vladivostok, and from there by rail to the Baltic plant of the Petrograd Pyadostroyka, re-laid down on 02.04.1916, launched in the fall of 1916, entered service on 15.11.1916. Participated in the February Revolution. On June 8, 1917, she sank as a result of an accident during training exercises, but was raised by the rescue vessel Volkhov on June 16, 1917, and recommissioned in July 1917. On October 25, 1917, she was commissioned into the Red Baltic Fleet, but on April 3, 1918, due to the impossibility of withdrawal in severe ice conditions with her mechanisms disassembled for repairs, she was blown up by her crew in Ganges (Hanko) harbor to avoid capture by the German occupiers. She was subsequently raised by Finnish rescuers, dismantled, and scrapped in 1929 like her sisters.

Black Sea Fleet

A.G. 21

A.G. 21 had perhaps one of the longest and rocky career, successively Russian Imperial, White Russian, British, and Soviet until the 1950s. She thus changed names many times: From 02 April 1931 she was renamed “Metalist” and N°16, from 15 September 1934 she was “A-5” and from 16 May 1949 she was renamed “PZS-8”. Initially Built in 1916 for the RN at Barnet Yard in Vancouver, acquired by Russia on the stocks on 19 September 1916, listed on the BBlack sea fleet register on 21 August 1917, delivered disassembled to Vladivostok, by rail to Nikolaev for completion. She was re-laid down on 28 April 1917, launched by late 1917, commissioned in 1918 (exact date unknown) by the White Russians, the Volunteer White Army. On 24 November she was captured in Sevastopol by Anglo-French troops. On April 26, 1919, by order of the British command, she was scuttled in Sevastopol. On May 21, 1928, she was raised by the EPRON. On December 30, 1930, she saw her repairs completed at Sevmorzavod, Sevastopol, recommissioned and re-listed in the fleet. On June 8, 1931, she sank off Sevastopol, after collision at sea with the destroyer Frunze.

Since it was in shallow waters she was refloated again on June 10, 1931. On January 1, 1932, after emergency repairs, she was recommissioned. On January 11, 1935, she was listed back in the Black Sea Fleet. In WW2 she was sent for search and destroy operations, p^reying on axis supply lines for the Herresgruppe Sud in the western Black Sea. In 12 sorties she performed 7 attacks, launching 11 torpedoes, and sinking the German transport “Durostor” (1,309 GRT) and schooner “Seepferd” on 12/05/1944, already crippled by Russian aircraft. She also hit and badly damaged the Romanian transport “Ardeal” (5,695 GRT) on 11 June 1942. But aftet the withdrawal from Crimea, the maritime traffic massive decreased. On 06 April 1945, she was awarded the Order of the Red Army for her service. On 27 August she was decommissioned, disarmed and converted as a floating charging station, surviving to the mid-1950s. She was then stricken and sold for BU.

A.G. 22

A.G.22 was ordered in 1916 for the RN at Barnet in Vancouver, acquired by the Russians on 19 September 1916, listed on the Black sea fleet register on 21 August 1917 and delivered disassembled to Vladivostok, then on rail to Nikolaev for completion, re-laid down on 30 April 1917, launched in 1918, delayed and only commissioned on 05 August 1919 with the Boshevik Red Banner fleet, but in October 1919 she was taken back over by the Volunteer White Army. On November 14, 1920, she was reassigned to Wrangel’s forces and evacuated from Sevastopol to Istanbul. However with the peace treaty and events in the Ottoman Empire (civil war and war with Greece) she was sent away and ended by December 29, 1920 in Bizerte (Tunisia) where she was interned by the French authorities. On October 29, 1924, she was recognized by the French government as the property of the USSR, but never returned. She was eventually sold by Rudmetall to a French private firm for scrapping locally.

A.G. 23

A.G. 23 (06 Jan 1920 Im.Trotsky; 31 Dec. 1922 Nezamozhny; 06 Dec. 1923 Shakhtyor and No.12; 15 Sept. 1934 A-1. Ordiered in 1916 for the RN at Barnet, Vancouver, repurchased on 19 Sept. 1916 by the Russian Navy. On 21 August 1917 she was in the register of the Black Sea Fleet and also delivered disassembled to Vladivostok, then brought by rail to Nikolaev for completion. She was re-laid down on 29 April /1917, launched on 1st June 1920, and commissioned on 21 October 1920 (other sources 18 Sepy. 1920), right as the civil war was going on. She made a few sorties in the area of Odessa by October 4-5, 1920, and shores of Crimea and Caucasus in February 1921. In 1922-1923, she made five sorties to Turkey as a good gesture move, to Inebolu and Samsun, and from October 4-8, 1930, to Istanbul.

In 1928-1929 and 1932-1934, she was refitted completely. By 11 January 1935, she started a new commission with the Black Sea Fleet after acceptance post-refit trials and training. In 1941, she was again under refit at Sevmorzavod, Sevastopol. On June 26, 1942, she could not be withdrawn while the Germans (Gruppe Sud) advanced. Her hull was gutted and could not be ready for departire, as material and workers lacked. She was blown up by the remainind crew shortly before the city was evacuated. On July 13, 1942, she stricken from the register. In early 1945, she was refloated by the emergency rescue service. On April 24 due to the botched restoration, she was found unoperative and npt worth the cost and time to do so. Stricken again, she was set up for dismantling and scrapping.

A.G. 24

A.G. 24 (06 Jan 1920: “Comrade Lunacharsky”; 31 Dec. 1922: “Communist” (N.13); 15 Sept. 1934: A-2; 16 June 1949: M-52) was originally built in 1916 for the RN, see above for the details. In short, delivered in kit to Vladivostok (In the Black sea fleet register on 21.08.1917) and sent by train to Nikolaev for completion, re-laid down on 22 Nov. 1919, launched on 02 April 1921, commissioned on 22 July 1921 whereas the civil war raged on. In 1922-1923 she made seven sorties to Inebolu and Samsun, and stopped on 04-08 October 1930 in Istanbul in a good will visit. On 11 January 1935 she was re-listed in the Black Sea Fleet. From the 17 to 31 December 1935 she made a long cruise over bautical 1498.7 miles above water, 100 underwater, the first Black Sea Fleet submarines to double usual standards. In 1927-1928, 1932-1934 and from 10 Feb. 1939 until the invasion she was stuck in refit and modernization. She took part in the was making 17 combat sorties against axis communicaiton lines at sea, moslty from Romanian to Crimean ports. She also took part in the defense of Sevastopol by June 1942. She performed three attacks, launced 6 torpedoes, sank the German barge F474 (220 tons) on 10 October 1943. She ende the war still active. By December 1949 she was re-rated as utiliy midget submarine. From 28 November 1950 she was disarmed, stricken and transferred to the department for dismantling and scrapping.

A.G. 25

A.G. 25 (23 April 1923 “Marxist” (No.14); 15 Sept. 1934: A-Z.). Originally ordered by Britain in 1916 to Barnet Yard, acquired on 19 Sept. 1916 and on 21 August 1917 listed in the Black Sea Fleet register, sent by ship to Vladivostok, and by rail to Nikolaev, laid down again on 11 July 1921 (or 22 Nov. 1919), and launched on 05 April 1922, commissioned on 26 May 1922 fully listed in the Black Sea Fleet. In 1922-1923 she made five sorties to Inebolu and Samsun and from 30 August to 06 September 1929 she stayed in Istanbul. In 1934-1935 she was refitted and modernized. On 11 January 1935 fully recommissioned, training until the German invasion of the summer 1941. She was quite active, performing 19 combat sorties, with 3, six torpedoes launched, sinking the Romanian transport Sulina (3495 GRT) on 20 May 1942. On 28 October 1943 she was attacked and sunk by the German ASW Schiff 19 off Karkinitsky Gulf. She was stricken on 13 March 1944.

A.G. 26

A.G. 26 (23 Oct. 1920 “Im.tov.Kamenev”; 23 March 1923 “Political worker” (No.15); 15 Sept.1934: A4). Like the others she had the same origin, ordered a first time by the RN in 1916 at Bamet Yard, purchased on 19 Sept. 1916 by the Russian Navy, registed on 21 August 1917 in the Black Sea Fleet, shipped in kit form to Vladivostok, and by rail to Nikolaev for completion. She was re-laid down on 23 Oct. 1920 (or 26 Sept.1920), launched on 24 Feb. 1923, and commissioned on 07 Nov. 1923 and enlisted in the RKKA fleet (Workers and Peasants Army Navy). From August 30 to September 6, 1929, she visited Istanbul. She made such visits also in 1930-31 and 1936-38. On January 11 1935, she was listed back in the Black Sea Fleet. In WW2 she took part in the same operations against enemy lines of communications in the Black Sea, and defense of Sevastopol in June 1942;, performing 15 combat sorties. On February 22, 1947, she was disarmed, stricken. On March 6, 1947, she was handed over to the materials department for dismantling and scrapping.