NAVAL ACTIVITY IN LEPAYA AREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A000400500006-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 20, 2009
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: May 29, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/05/20: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000400500006-9
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
x NAVY
SECRET/CONTROL US OFFICIALS ONLY
SECURITY INFORMATION
COUNTRY USSR (Latvian SSR)
SUBJECT Naval Activity in Lepaya Area
at LeDaya was a larger class of minesweepers,
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the Unite4.41tates, Withiri_the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
just south of the harbor. There were approximately fifteen BO-t a naval
vessels anchored at Lepaya Also based
:9 May 1953 25X1
1. The cruiser KIROV has been stationed at Lepaya since 1947 or 1948. Since her25X1
overhaul at the local naval yards in 1948, the KIROV has been observed
fairly often at the Tosmare Shipyard. The cruiser was last observed at the
Naval Harbor in May 1952. A second cruiser, resembling the KIROV but possibly
somewhat smaller, was in Lepaya on several. occasions, Both cruisers always 25X1
left port at night, and other sea traffic was stopped when they put to sea.
2. .There were relatively few destroyers stationed at Lepaya. In late April 1952
fourteen destroyers and large torpedo boats anchored 25X1
4.
as well as a smaller class
An average of about twenty submarines were based in the Lepaya area. Though 25X1
they usually were anchored at Tosmare, the submarines sometimes docked in the
Outer Harbor. During parades or days of special political importance, several
submarines, never more than four, would enter the canal leading to Lake Lepaya.
A former German radio-controlled vessel, between 80 and 100 meters in length, 25X1
was usually anchored at the north pier of the Outer Harbor. The vessel was
observed recently in-the Tosmare Canal, and was also used in maneuvers at sea.
Local inhabitants called the vessel the "ghost ship".
5. ' There were two drydocks and one floating drydock at Tosmare Naval Harbor.
All three drydocks were in use'.
SECRET/CONTROL US OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE x Flow
Approved For Release 2009/05/20: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000400500006-9
 Approved For Release 2009/05/20: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000400500006-9
SECRET/CONTROL US OFFICIALS ONLY
6. No new naval vessels were constructed at Lepaya, but various vessels
were repaired in local shipyards. Submarines almost always were under
repair in the area, either at Tosmare, or at a floating drydock which
was in the southwest part of the Free Harbor. Larger fishing vessels
belonging to Gosmorlov, the state fishing company in Lepaya, were
repaired at Tosmare. In 1949, a former German staff vessel was
completely reconditioned there. This vessel, which was somewhat smaller
than a cruiser, was luxuriously equipped, and painted white. Repairs on
smaller ships were recently begun on the south side of the canal, which
leads to Lake Lepaya, in the area immediately south of the Fishing Harbor.
There were no real shipyards in the area.
7. The middle sector of the channel leading to Lepaya Harbor was dredged to
a depth of 9.5 meters during the summer of 1951. During 1948 and 1949,
the dredge VOLKHOV was used to clean the channel leading to the Fishing
Harbor; in 1950, the same dredge was used to clean the middle sector of
the channel leading to the Commercial Harbor.
8. Three MFP (sic) landing craft were based at Lepaya during 1950. All three
were in poor condition, and probably could not have put to sea without
extensive repairs. Late in 1950, or early in 1951, the vessels were
moved to an unknown place. Since 1949, a landing craft about as large
as an MFP had been pulled up onto the southern pier of the Winter Harbor,
but recently it was towed away. This vessel had four sections of the deck
which could be dropped down to form landing platforms; it had five or sic
meters freeboard, a flush deck, a small cabin and steering equipment looted
aft.
9. In 1951, the area around t:, :, . 25X1
Lake -Pape,.(, N 56-10, E 21-02); nothing indicating the construction of
naval installations was observed in the area. The terrain appeared to be
rather unsuitable for the construction of submarine bases or similar
installations.
SECRET/CONTROL US OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2009/05/20: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000400500006-9