Submarine U-475 Black Widow facts for kids
Soviet Foxtrot-class submarine in 2005
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Soviet Union |
|
| Laid down | 12 October, 1966 |
| Launched | 24 December, 1966 |
| Commissioned | 30 June, 1967 |
| Decommissioned | 30 June, 1993 |
| Status | Dilapidated state; moored on the River Medway near the city of Rochester |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Foxtrot-class submarine |
| Displacement | 1950 t |
| Length | 92 m (302 ft) |
| Beam | 7.5 m (25 ft) |
| Draft | 5.1 m (17 ft) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 16.8 kn (31.1 km/h; 19.3 mph) surfaced |
| Range |
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| Test depth | 250–280 m (820–920 ft) |
| Complement | 77 |
| Armament |
|
The Submarine U-475 Black Widow is a famous submarine that was part of the Soviet Navy during the Cold War. Today, it is owned by private individuals. You can find it docked on the River Medway in Strood, a town in South East England.
Contents
What is the Foxtrot-Class Submarine?
The Black Widow is a type of submarine known as a Project 641 class. In Western countries, these submarines are called the Foxtrot class. They were powerful patrol and attack submarines that used regular engines, not nuclear ones.
Building the Foxtrot Submarines
The Soviet Navy built about 74 of these submarines between 1957 and 1983. Other countries like Libya, Cuba, and India also bought 17 Foxtrot submarines for their own navies.
The Black Widow's Journey
The Black Widow submarine was built in a shipyard called Sudomekh in Leningrad. It was officially ready for service in 1967.
The submarine was first based in Riga and served with the Soviet Baltic Fleet. Later, it became a training ship. It helped teach crews from other countries how to operate Foxtrot-class submarines. The Black Widow was taken out of service in 1994 and then sold.
From Warship to Museum
After being sold, the submarine was given the name "U-475 Black Widow". It was moved to Long's Wharf near the Thames Barrier in England. There, it was opened to the public as a museum ship, allowing people to explore inside.
Moving to New Locations
In 1998, the submarine moved again, this time to Folkestone, where it was also open for visitors. In 2004, it was moved to its current location in Strood. It needs a lot of repair work and is waiting to be restored.
Understanding the Submarine's Names
The submarine is currently known as "Foxtrot B-39 U-475 Black Widow." The "B-" part stands for Bolshaya, which means "Large" in Russian. The Soviet Navy used this name during the Cold War.
Confusing Names
It can be a bit confusing because another Foxtrot B-39 also exists. That submarine is now a museum ship in San Diego. Also, the "B-39" name usually meant a ship in the Soviet Pacific Fleet, not the Baltic Fleet, which used numbers in the 200s.
The Black Widow Name
The names "Black Widow" and "U-475" were given to the submarine by its new private owners. The Soviet Navy usually did not name their submarines, and they did not use the "U-" designation. Also, no Foxtrot submarines were known to have the number "–475" in Soviet service.
Its Original Soviet Name
When it was part of the Soviet Navy, this submarine was actually known as B-49. It served in the Northern Fleet until November 1974. After that, it was moved to the Baltic Fleet.
See also
In Spanish: Submarine U-475 Black Widow para niños
