The Imperial Russian Navy at the commencement of hostilities included 37 submarines in active service, and 19 in various stages of construction. The composition and distribution of the submarine flotillas was as follows:—

Baltic Flotilla: 14 Submarines with depÔt ships in commission, and 12 vessels building. Bases: Kronstadt, Port Peter the Great (Reval) and Port Alexander III. (Libau) (ice free).

Black Sea Flotilla: 11 Submarines with depÔt ships in commission, and several new vessels building. Bases: Sevastopol and Nikolaieff.

Siberian Flotilla: 12 Submarines with depÔt ships in commission, and 6 vessels building. Base: Vladivostok.

The first Russian naval submarine was completed at Kronstadt in 1902, and named the Petr Kochka. She was built in sections to facilitate transport over the Siberian Railway, being intended for the defence of Port Arthur, and had a surface displacement of only 20 tons. Her armament consisted of two holders, or Darzewiecki launching apparatus, containing two small Whitehead torpedoes. The maximum speed was 8 knots on the surface and 4 knots when submerged. The second submarine ordered for the Russian Navy was the Delphin, which foundered off Kronstadt, but was subsequently raised and is now used as a training ship for the submarine service. These two vessels have been removed from the active flotillas, but the third vessel to be built for the Russian Navy—the Graf Cheremetieve—is still in commission.

These are the oldest submarines in the Russian Navy, and are small vessels of the Holland-Bubnoff type. They have a submerged displacement of 200 tons. Petrol and electric engines drive them at 9 knots on the surface and 6 knots when submerged. Their armament consists of one bow torpedo tube and two exterior holders, with four 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes.

Ostr Class.

These five submarines are of the American Lake type. The Ostr was originally the American Lake Co.’s boat Protector. They have a submerged displacement of 175 tons, are 65 feet in length and 11 feet in breadth. Have petrol engines of 250 H.-P. for surface propulsion and electric motors for use when submerged. Their speed is 11 knots above and 7 knots below. The surface cruising radius is 450 knots at full speed. The armament consists of two bow and one stern tube with four 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes. The special characteristics of the American Lake type will be seen on pages 119–120.

Som Class.

These two vessels, which are of the Holland-Bubnoff type, have a submerged displacement of about 150 tons. Petrol and electric motors are used for surface and submerged propulsion, and the speed is 9½ knots and 7 knots, above and below, respectively. Their armament consists of two bow tubes with four 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes. Their complement is about fifteen officers and men.

These three vessels are also of the Holland-Bubnoff type. They have a submerged displacement of 150 tons. The petrol motors for surface propulsion are of 160 H.-P. The speed is 9½ knots and 7 knots, above and below, respectively. Their armament consist of two bow tubes with four 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes. Their complement is eleven to fifteen officers and men.

Sig.

A submarine of the Lake type; similar in almost every respect to vessels of the Ostr class.

Makrel Class.

Two vessels of the Improved Holland-Bubnoff type. They have a submerged displacement of about 200 tons. The petrol motors are of 300 H.-P., and the electric engines of 150 H.-P. Their speed is 10 knots on the surface and 8 knots when submerged. They are fitted with two bow tubes and two stern holders, and carry six 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes. Their complement is fifteen officers and men.

Lossos Class.

Two somewhat smaller submarines of the Holland type. Intended either for the Black Sea or Far Eastern Flotilla. Similar to those of the Sterliad class.

Karp Class.

These two submarines are of the Germania, or Krupp type, and have a submerged displacement of 250 tons. They have Krupp-Nuremburg heavy-oil engines of 400 H.-P., and electric motors of 160 H.-P. Their speed on the surface is 12 knots, and 8 knots when submerged. The surface range of action is about 1,000 miles, and the submerged endurance about three hours at full speed. Their armament consists of two bow torpedo tubes and four torpedoes are carried. Their complement is fifteen officers and men.

Alligator Class.

Four submarines of the improved Lake type. They have a submerged displacement of 500 tons. Their speed is 15 knots on the surface and 10 knots when submerged. They are fitted with two bow and two stern tubes, and carry six 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes. Their complement is seventeen officers and men. (See also page 96.)

Two small submarines of the Holland-Bubnoff type, which were built in sections to facilitate transport by rail. They have a submerged displacement of about 150 tons, and a speed of 12 knots and 9 knots, above and below, respectively. Their complement is eleven officers and men.

Akula.

A large submarine of the Holland-Bubnoff type. Her displacement is about 570 tons, and her speed 16 knots on the surface and 10 knots when submerged. The armament consists of two bow and one stern tube, with six 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes. The complement is 20 officers and men.

These seven vessels are among the most modern submarines in the Russian flotillas. They are of the Holland-Bubnoff type, and have a submerged displacement of about 500 tons. Heavy-oil engines of over 1,000 H.-P. drive them at a maximum surface speed of 16 knots, and electric motors of 550 H.-P. give them a submerged speed of just over 10 knots an hour. Their surface cruising range is about 3,000 miles. Their armament consists of two bow and one stern tube with six 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes. They are also fitted with a small, quick-firing, high-angle gun for defence against air-craft. Their complement is 21 officers and men.

Russian Submarines Building.

At the commencement of the war there were nineteen Russian submarines in course of construction. Very little information concerning these boats can be obtained, except that their submerged displacement ranges from 800 to 1,500 tons, and their anticipated surface speed is 20 knots. Some of the 800-ton vessels have already been completed, and the first twelve will be named: Svitza, Leopard, Pantera, Ruis, Kaguar, Tiqr, Yaguar, Vepr, Wolk, Baro, Gepard, and Tur. These vessels have a speed of 16 knots on the surface and 10 knots when submerged. Their complement is 25 officers and men.