1. OIL SHIPMENTS FROM KLAIPEDA 2. PORT INFORMATION, NAVAL VESSEL SIGHTINGS, AND NAVIGATIONAL AIDS AT KRONSHTADT, LENINGRAD, KLAIPEDA, VENTSPILS, AND IN THE BALTIC SEA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A049600690001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 10, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 29, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
COUNTRY USSR (Baltic)
1. Oil Shipments from Klaipeda
SUBJECT 2. Port Information, Naval Vessel DATE DISTR. Pk of J
Sightings
and Navigational Aids
,
at Kronshtadt, Len?ngrad, Klaipeda, NO. PAGES
Ventspils, and in the Baltic Sea
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
2 50X1-HUM
URCE EVALUATIONS ARE D F NI IVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
pdrts of - fut.ureL o1l:.shipments from Klaipeda, and port
information, naval vessel sightings, and navigational aids at Kronshtadt
Leningrad, Klai eda Ventspils, and the Baltic Sea area
East Germany, while another port may be used for Soviet Baltic
Att.No. Subject
1 A brief one-pa e re-port about:Soviet
inquiries for :::]western shipping, mainly tankers up to
23 feet draft, from Klaipeda during spring 1960; new construction
and modernization at Klaipeda; and the possibility that Klaipeda
may be used primarily for exports from the Soviet Baltic to 50X1-HUM
oil shipments
A brief one-page report of a restricted area near Ventspils
sketch o towers an masts sighted
on shore south of Ventspils is included.
X AIR
(Note: Washington distribution indicated by "X"; Field distribution by "#".)
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Klaipeda between 19 October and 13 November 1959, including: a
relaxation of port security controls; two Q-class submarines,
Att.No. Subject
3 A two-page report of observations and naval vessel sightings at
two boxcars with radar antennas and range finders, which were
probably part of a mobile coastal defense batter ? a probable
KRONSHTADT-class submarine chaser harbor
construction activities; and shore gun emplacements.
4 A two-page report of naval vessel sightings and other observations
at or near Ventspils during the period 17 to 28 November 1959,
including: 11 KRONSHTADT-class submarine chasers
a
ten e an MTB a probable
distilling ship the minelayer MARTI; a SASHA-
class minesweepe the widening of the channel
from 100 to 180 me ers; construction activities; a box-shaped
object resembling, but ten times larger than, an ordinary light
buoy, at N 57-08, E 20-32; a vessel awash with only its stack and,
masts above water at N 57-o6, E 20-28.
5 A one-page report of naval vessel sightings at Ventspils on
11 December 1959, including: seven possible SASHA-class
minesweepers four KRONSHTADT.
50X1-HU M
class submarine chasers
icebreaker LENIN at Krorshtadt and two probable W-class submarines,
several tracked military vehicles;
several MTBs; and the minelayer MARTI.
A brief one-paragraph report of naval vessel sightings at
KRONTSHTADT and Leningrad on 18 December 1959, including the
during the period from 20 to 23 November 1959, including: a
possible large floating dock near position N 59-12, E 22-00;
the cruiser KIRO' a SVERDLOV-class cruiser,
a very arge submarine
three vessels allegedly fitted ou or the Antarctic; and
the merchant vessel OBS (possibly the OB).
naval vessel sightings in the Baltic Sea and at Leningrad
naval vessel sightings near Leningrad and Kronshtadt on
at the Leningrad Lightshipts position. It was noted that, except
for the V?BORG, Kronshtadt harbor was almost empty.
December 1959, including the icebreaker LENIN which was anchored
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at Leningrad.
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SECRET
SOVI ST UNION.
lgfi~O M'Ai C,
Soviet oil shipments from
KLAIPEDA in Spring 1960,
1.
new Soviet enquiries for +-western ship-
ping from Klaipeda from next Spring.
Klaipeda will be able to receive from May lst
ships of up to 23 feet draught.
2, The Soviet enquiries have been not only for ships,
mainly tankers, of up to 23 feet draught, but also for
smaller tankers of 2,000 to 3,000 tons.
3. New quays are being built in Klaipeda with what is
believed to be pump machinery for loading oil on to
tankers. The Soviet enquirers after tonnage have dis-
:losed nothing specific about these installations, but
have confirmed observers' reports that the port is being
deepened, modernised and improved generally.
40
The Soviet enquirers have, however, hinted that
Klaipeda may ultimately l be
given.
used primarily for exports
to the DDR. No reason was
j
"gCRET
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COUNTRY
ISR
c....a L
SUBJECT Buoys and Towers South of, DATE OF REPORT 1 December 1959
Ventspils
NO. OF PAGES 2 50X1-HUM
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ
SOURCE EVALUATIONS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRA
The following additional information and sketch were provided
concerning the buoys and towers 60M-HUM in
paragraph 5 o reference:
50X1-HUM
1. An area bordered by a line through the following positions was
declared closed to navigation by the Soviets in the summer of
1956:
a.
N
57-18-00, E
21-20-00.
b.
N
57-18-00, E
21-16-02.
N
57-15-05, E
21-16-02.
d.
N 57-15-05, E
21-21-00.
2. The restricted area was reopened late in the summer of 1958. It
is likely that the buoys mentioned in reference either marked the
prohibited area or were used as markers within the restricted area.
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COUNTRY 'JS SR (Lithuanian SSS1)
SUBJECT Ship Sightings and Other
Observations in Klaipeda
DATE OF REPORT 30 December 1959
NO. OF PAGES 2
50X1-HUM
INFO.
PLACE &
SOURCE EVALUATIONS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. NOTE FOREGOING
50X1-HUM
1. An order calling for the cessation of strict control on .narchant
vessels was received in Klaipeds fro,?a `ytoscow on b octo';er 1
the order required continuance of a routtrr- clearance
only and stated that items on board ship which were f or=ierly sealed
no longer require sealiri'., ::hat captains nay ~o as core ari 'w Aere
wit iouut a shore peas, that the - uerd on the wharf is riot to examine
the captain's briefcase as he boards or leaves the ves3ei and that
chins' crews are to be shown politeness in every respect.i 50X1-HUM
2. The following observations were made in Klaipeda
a. Two submarines 2 were in the Winter
Harbor. 50X1 -HUM
b. Several tracked military vehicles, some of Iin6 turrets
with gun barrels were seen among the trees north of tae
entrance to Klaipeda. Two box cars, 8 to 10 eter,s lons7,
equipoed with radar antennas wore seen at the safle location.
The antennas were esttiated to be about 6 motors fro.n the
ground. A trellis mast about 20 peters high rand topped by a
done with windows and range-finders was also observed among
the trees. Further back in the woods was a radio east about
five times as tall as the surrounding trees. she upper part
of the mast was painted light gray.3
c. About 50 piped4 of 3/4 meter to 1 netar in dtn -:?etjr mere on
the quay near the oil storage facility. A ce rtont ,ixer was
in operation on the oil quay.
d. A. dredger was worlrin outside the entrnnee to :;lei ppdn.
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- 2 -
Tie followin: observations were
a. Sever-al eiall patrol vessels
50X1-HUM
7 were observed patrolling outside Klaipeda fit 0900 hours
b. Thirteen horizontal and threw vertical oil tcri'-s, rill appa-
rently olci, were observed at the Oil Depot.
a. The quay near the warehouse appeared to be and r of n: r~,cpair.
A traveling crane was observed on the quay.
d. A pine approxi fa tely 12 centine tors in d ia^aet-.- froi
the pump station at the now sections of tie ovaa ,~;st the tan!.s
and into the woods behind. Many new bu:t? dir,i: , were ;li:ipsed in
the wood.
trellis nasts with a done on top t;re obDs:~rva i 1ec t the
woods. The dome looked as t aou; it contained ? rari;.;e-f"finder.
A steel tower with two radar antennas on top va, ~,1 sio o!.,:aarved.
One of the antennas was in a flat do e, rind +t ke t,'- r was seen
to be rotating freely.
f. At the edge of the wood were three lonF-barrelod -aria and on
the 3hore ware t free guns In snail turrets. Tito 'tins on the
shore appeared to be older than the 7uns near the wood,
T. I'tiree dredgers were working in the har'r:,or fro.i t e on'tra;ico
towards the Coal Quay.
(Recent indica-
tions that harbor controls have been relaxed so far seem to
apply only to Klaipeda.
2. These submarines are of the Q class.
3. These vehicles, range-finder, and radar box cars are often seen
at the location mentioned and probably are part of the mobile
coastal battery which is normally seen along the shore.
1+. Similar pipes have been observed in Ventspils. Both Klaipeda
and Ventspils have been mentioned as terminals for an oil pipe-
line from the interior of the Soviet Union. It is known that
the oil storage facility in Klaipeda is being extended and that
a new stretch of quay has been constructed. Construction is in
progress on what appears to be oil piers in the Ventspils Outer
Harbor.
probably a KRONSHTADT-class su c aser.
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nado in tla ipedaa
 - _ _ - n n m 50X1-HUM
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COtJ TRY` 'USSR
SUBJECT Ship Sightings and Other
Observations in Ventspils
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
The following Soviet naval vessels were observed in VentspilO
REPORT
DATE OF REPORT 12 January * 1960
NO. OF PAGES 2
REFERENCES dff , 7 .
DATE ACQ. 50X1-HUM'LANATION.
__.._~._ ~.,..,. rr.-C AIDC f1C CIlJITIVF APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. NOTE FO
a. Seven KRONSHTADT-class submarine chasers fl
left the harbor at noon.
Five KRONSHTADT-class subchasers
Tende
,
side,
the two motor
identical motor torpedo boats along
Neither o
torpedo
50X1-HUM
d. The tanker to the outside of the previously reported old
cruiser/minellayer2without guns. 50X1-HUM
Five minesweepers
Soviet naval vessels were observed in Ventspils
1" V Ki 1 +.++... ~ - -
and five additional KRONSHTADT-class su c asers ZT nrs
50X1-HUM
a green flag.
Three minesweepers
er/minelayer mentioned in paragraph l.d. with to
7alongside. Several naval vessels were refueling 7~
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d. Two motor torpedo boats without torpedo tubes.
Many naval vessels were observed in Ventspils
two vessels were described as minesweepers with a hullLthat wa50X1-HUM
t had sheer. A large old naval vessel? w th two funnels
was moored at the Naval Quay.01
4?
5.
KRONSHTADT-class subchaser
point N 57-24., E 21-09
was observed eastbound at
The channel in the range lights was being widened from 100 to 180
meters.
6. Sheet piling was being driven in the Outer Harbor apparently for
three relatively small pbrs each with mooring accommodations on
both sides. The sheet piling had not been connected with the shore
at the time of observation.
7. The distance from the Inner Pier to the row of sheet piling driven
at right angles to the coastline in the Outer Harbor was approxi-
mately 150 meters.
8. A box-shaped object resembling a buoy, but at least ten times
larger than an ordinary light buoy, was observed at approximately
N 57-08, E 20-32 on 24 November. The object had no lights ~' ~thAr
markings. 50X1-HUM
vessel had been observed with only tkI funnel and two masts above
the water at point N 57-06, E 20-28.
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
Comments
he old cruiser/minelayer is an ex-MARTI-class minelayer which
arrived at Ventspils on 31 October 1959 and is probably to be
used as a depot ship.
S.
is a SASHA-class inshore minesweeper.
a KRONSHTADT-class subchaser.
pro ably a KRONSHTADT-class subchaser. 50X1-HUM
a navigational warning was issued
also mentioned in pares, Lod. and 2.c.
7. The denth at this location is approximately 90 meters.
6. The old vessel with two funnels is the ex-MARTI-class mine'-----
50X1-HUM
from Leningra
concern ng the
observation of a vessel with only the funnel and two masts
above the water at point
N 57-06, E 20-26. It is not known that a ship was reported
missing in this area. The-positions listed are in the western
outskirts of a restricted area. 50X1-HUM
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$ E-C-R E-T
COUNTRY: USSR REPORT NO.
SUBJECT: Observation of Soviet Naval DATE OF INFO:
Vessels in Ventspils
DATE ACQUIRED:
DATE OF REPORT: 13 January 1960
1. The following Soviet naval units were observed in Ventspils
a. Sevei, olir-!'rreeo rs
b. Subohasers
c. Eight subchasers
d. A number of motor torpedo boats or small minesweepers.
e. :iinelayer MARTY
FORM VN~ 51-58 PREVIOUS EDITIONS MAY BE USED.
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 tirrvi ul MA
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COUNTRY USSR
M(&,wa,
SUBJECT Observation of Soviet Naval Vessels DATE OF REPORT 13 January 1960
NO. OF PAGES 1
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE AC
SOURCE EVALUATIONS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. NOTE FOREGOING EXPLANATION.
50X1-HUM
1. I Ithe ice breaker LENIN was moored to a buoy west of
To u in,
2. The following vessels were observed in Leningrad
b. The de-rigged cruiser, which formerly had been observed at the
Laveya Damba quay, lay moored with its starboard side against
the fitting out quay where the LENIN had been moored earlier.
The hull appeared to be very high in the water.
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COUNTRY: USSR
SUBJECT: Port Report - Baltic Sea - Leningrad
1.
Laval
DATE OF REPORT: 5 January 1960
something
very largo being towed in a southwesterly direction was observed in the
northwest. The towed object was lit up
it was a very large floating dock.
#r.uiid the tow there were five tugboats, two in front, one on each side aft,
and one between these two latter beats, aft of the tow.
Between the tow and a signal station in on Dagd, blinker signaling was
observed. This traffic went on for a long time and was repeated several tiKeI50X1 -HUM
were possibly submarines,
because of the way in which they carried their lanterns.
1b.
the vessels were seen`in'the dark
FORM NO. Al-SA PRCVIMIC FnITInuc UAV AF iicJ
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Leningrad Lightship, four submarines passed by, headed west.
The vessels,that were medium large, were in line ahead, with a distance of about
one hundred meters between each sub. They carried position lanterns.
by
Kronstadt, the following naval vessels were seen in the harbor:
c. In the western part of the Central Harbor a cruiser lay, tied up in an
east-west position. She had an angled main-mast and angled smokestacks. The
main-mast was located just forward of the after smokestack. Aft of the navi-
gating bridge was located a structure that, at the top, had an extension
toward the stern*
identified) as a KIROV-class cruiser.
d. Just inside the above vessel lay another vessel tied up in the same direction.
This ship waj somewhat larger
and smokestacks. She
belong to the SVERDLOV-class.
and had vertical masts 50X1-HUM
e. In the eastern part of the Central Harbor, two vessels were tied up in
a north-south direction. These two were identical, and belonged to the same
class The vessels appeared to be undergoing repairs, or 50X1-HUM
even remodeling.
tinyi _ui inn
ship as well as a number of smaller naval vessels
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put of the Morskoi, a submarine came from the west. After passing
stadt, she turned north on the east side of Kronstadt.
was very large, about two thousand tons
Kron-
50X1-HUM
Shipping.
2. a. Three commercial vessels were observed in Leningrad, two of which were
tied up one outside the other at the end of Levaya Damba, and one, at the
same pier in the Merskoi Canal. All three were, in general, of the same type;
combined cargo and passenger vessels, somewhat older types probably built before
the war, and were about 3000 brt. The ships were painted white and flew a 50X1-HUM
somewhat unusual flag that was blue, or possibly)green.
on one of the ships, some of the crew
members were in uniform. The names of the ships were not observed. 50X1-HUM
b. Also alongside the dock was observed another combined cargo and passenger
ship of about 5000 brt
This ship had two helicopters on her
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Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Iq
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COUNTRY: USSR
Port Report - Bay
Leningrad
of Finland - DATE OF INFO:
DATE OF REPORT: 5 January 1960
by Kronstadt, the harbor 50X1-HUM
was practically empty. All of the large vessels
had left. 50X1-HUM
Leningrad Lightship as well as most of the buoys had been taken in
Ice-breaker LENIN
On 4 December the LENIN was seen anchored in the Leningrad Lightship's
position. The ship appeared to have been through very foul weather as the
paint was peeling and a lot of rust could be seen,
she was to be used in the Bay of Finland during the winter of 1959/60.
~ECRETJ,-
FORM NO. 51-58 PREVIOUS EDITIONS MAY BE USIo. (20)
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