1. OBSERVATION OF SOVIET NAVAL AND MERCHANT VESSELS IN ARCTIC WATERS 2. OBSERVATIONS AT ARKHANGELSK AND KEM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A053300160001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 31, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

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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.
S-E-C-R-E-T
INFORMATION REPORT I N FORMATION REPORT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
k 1.
1. Observation of Soviet Naval and
Merchant Vessels in Arctic Waters
2. Observations at Arkhangelsk and Kem
REPORT L
DATE DISTR.
NO. PAGES
REFERENCES
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ
L on naval vess
The following eight reports of naval and merchant vessel sightings, and
port controls and observations at Arkhangelsk and Kem
Att. No. Subject
report
el sightings in northern
1 including: one minelayer,
the SEVERNAYA DVINA; two fishing boats and six
at N 67-1.5, E 41-11
report,
patrol boat
report,
of a voyage e from.. Bremen to-'Arkhangelsk
Included is a brie
31 March 1960
description of the port !eon s a
report on observations in Kem
vessel sightings
jamming of
in Kem.
including-.lack of naval
whatsoever; six unidentified jet aircraft;
radio broadcasts; living conditions
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
IX ARMY
X NAVY
AIR
NSA
(Note: Washington distribution indicated by "X"; Field distribution by "#".)
x FBI NIC x
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Att. No. Subject
vessel sightings in and near
four NPI'Bs with ra reflectors; six ro a e ONSHTADT-c ass
submarine chasers one ARTILLERIST
class submarine chase one P.6-class MTB.
Attached are rough sketches o eac c a of ship sighted.
Arkhange s including:
1
re ort on naval vessel sightings in Kola Bay
including: one CHAPAYEV-class cruiser
two KOTLIN-class destro ers
one su marine, of about 500 tons
displacement.
report of naval vessel sightings in Arkhangelsk
including: ten transport 50X1-HUM
ships each carrying on ec en arge "launch-type" boats
with roofed deckhouses. 50X1-HUM
report of fishing boat sightings and observations in the
arents Sea including: 'Soviet trawlers;
Soviet fishing research vessel TUNETS; East German trawler ERFURT.
Also included are observations that Soviet and East German
trawlers frequently made fishing runs together, and that the
trawler ERFURT seemed to be serving, at least during the one
observation, as a fuel apply ship for Soviet trawlers.
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COUNTRY: Soviet Union
SUBS : Information About ,soviet VesggJ s
DATE ACQUIREDI
DATE OF REPORT: 4 December 1959
The following Soviet vessels were observed in Northern
N 69 37' - E 15 57"
Northwest of
Andenes
Northwest of
North Cape
iorthwest of
North Cape
Northwest of
North Cape
Care Linne
guns estimated to be 88 mm.
Deck cargo, torpedoes. Two
Mine-layer,
Cargo ship SEVERNAYA DVINA, course,
east. Size, about 3000 tons.
Forward and aft of bridge was a
rectangular, circa two meter
high object covered with tarpaulin.
Herring-fishe
ourse 50X1-HUM
rse west.
course
west.
Herring-boat
Factory trawl
west.
Isf ford L
Calypso Bay Mother-ship
and trawlers
1 at anchor.
N 72 40"- E 21 30" Trawler,) course, east.
_!~AL I I Nut UK~
50X1-HUM
F
1ONOVN53 51-58 PREVIOUS EDITIONS MAY BE USED. (20)
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USSR
Military-Maritime
3 September 1959
Soviet Nasal Craft Observed on Route to Archangelsk
For two hours, the Soviet patrol vessel accompanied the
course and at a distance of about 500 meters.
ship on a parallel
50X1-HUM
2. Description 6f Patrol raft. 50X1-HUM
Identification:
Sha : One short, wide funnel. Length of hull: 60/65 meters. One pole mast aft of
the bridge. Slanting stem.
Armament: One gun in cupola on foredeck and one gun on poop deck. To all appearances,
the gun on the poop deck was of a lighter caliber.
On the bridge two anti-aircraft machine guns.
Radar: 3-Centimeter radar (mesh) in the mast; 3-centimeter radar (closed) in the
same mast.
Particulars: 1 search light in the mast.
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Q0'
Next 11 Page(s) In Document Denied
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SECRET
U. S. R.
I WAL/DONOIv'IIC
Conditions in the Port of Kem
In the early hours of the morning six jet
3?
engined 'planes were observed flying over the port, but they, were too high and
Subsequently,
visibility was too bad 50X1-HUM
during the night hours the noise of aircraft, usually jet engined, could be heard,
4. Whenever a
station broadcast a news bulletin the transmission was
jammed and it was impossible to understand the text.
5, The people in Kem were very shabbily dressed and gave the impression of
50X1-HUM
being completely apathetic to recent Russian scientific achievements. Standards of
living and general housing conditions were very low,
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 50X1-HUM
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SECRET
U.S.S.R.
NAVAL
WARSHIPS NOT{PHERN AREA
1. The following are particulars of four similar warships seen in line ahead
see sketch No.l); Vii' . ~~
2 miles inshore steering approximately 030?p at 25 knots (from radar plot.
66? 401 N9 41 ? 091 E. steering 210? at 9 knots,
Good visibility.
Unrestricted.
No funnels,
Estimated 80/90 feet.
A tripod type structure straddling the bridge.
M.T.B. type Lull.
Dome shapBd radar on top of structure and large "bed rest" type aerial on
fore side of structure.
Hulls painted dark grey.
NOTE: The decks were bare except for a small hatch or skylight aft.
The radar echo from these vessels was exceptionally strong at ten miles,
2, The following are the particulars of six similar vessels seen in ARCHANGEL
(see sketch N
Alongside at SOL0J BA t1.
Proceeding to anchorage off SOLOMBALA,
Good visibility.
In a U.S.S.R. port.
/contd......page 2.
o.2).
SECRET
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One squat funnel.
Estimated 160 feet*
page 2.
One lattice mast rising from bridg
Flush deck.
Two sin le guns in shields in line forward. One twin gun aft (canvas
d
covere
.
"Ball gun" type radar on bracket
Vessels were being painted dark
line dividing*
grey with red boot topping and then white
50X1-HUM
3. The following are the particulars of a warship seen at ARCHANGEL
(see sketch No.3),
Alongside at SOLOMBALA.
Proceeding to anchorage off SOLOMBALA.
Good visibility.
In a U.S.S.R. port.
One squat funnel.
BPH 45 on side below forw,rard gun.
Estimated 120 - 1.30 feet,
One polemast foreside of bridge.
Flush deck.
One gun on forecastle covered in canvas.
Radar above bridge,
40 The following are the particulars of a warship seen in ARCHANGEL
(see sketch N
Proceeding down river
Alongside No, 26 Mill.
0.00
at ARCHANGEr,.
/contd.?...page 3.
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-rte
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III
page 3.
50X1-HUM
Good visibility.
In a U.S.S.R. port.
No funnels.
No number.
Estimated 90 feet.
Lattice structure.
Flush deck, M.T.B. type with flared bow.
One gun forward, one gun aft (canvas covered).
Torpedo tube each side of bridge angled slightly on each bow.
Dome type radar on top of lattice structure at after end of bridge.
Colour not reported.
NOTES Vessel was either new or just recently repainted.
SECRET
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50X1-HUM
---' ~PAnA .
x
X C Co w.
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50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
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ww-
,out t,cy USSR
U r'EC1 Soviet Naval Vessels in the Kola Bay
naval vessels was observed abreast of T IBERSKI HEAD. The unit consisted 50X1-HUM
of cruiser and destroyers It first
ran on southwestern course, then changed to approximately and entered 50X1-HUM
Kola Bay at about 2000.
SOUS C EV M.UAT!0Na A '1;i:i`N~'t411 ~' PH I AiaA?. OF ".~"$t 17 a IE14TATh# ~ `~ = Fi P tiP : ~TiO~!
Description of the naval vessels:
to Cruiser I lis of an older type with two circular-shaped 50X1-HUM
triple gun turrets on the forecastle and afterbody; two equally
high stacks, mounted far apart; thin, supported mast at the forward
edge of the second stick.
2. The destroyers are of a modern type with continuous main deck with a
shovel-nosed forward part; a conspicuously high breakwater Leo ;spin- somewhat
forward of the bridge extends ac far s _M'ter_ edge of the trellis mast.
An iron-clad gun turret on the forecastle and/or afterbody; twin-AA
mounts on the bridge and on the quarterdeck; a trellis mast between
bridge and the first stack and an equally high trellis mast somewhat
drawn forward of the second stack, Hadar screens are fitted on the two
masts; in addition, the forward mast has a searchlight and. a signal
yard.
The vessel is painted dark grey, all over.
-a Searchlight at the trellis mast
Bridge with
twin-mount
r `~"r is
') December 1959
'IAGE
50X1-HUM
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~~Radar on the trellis mast
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S-F,O-R.-E. T
was observed near the coast off
-~Soviet submarine
OL0OLENI Islands, taking
t-ow-ard- the entrance of the Bay of Kolai The size of the submarine was
estimated at 500 tonsa
Weather conditions:
wind from west--north es t, breeze to strong breeze;
iaoderE.te sea, long z rthwestern swell;
visibility: 10 to 15' nautical miles..
{.
50X1-HUM
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v-36-lI~i I' -
Soviet Special Ships in
Arkhangelsk
DATE OF REPORT 10 February 1960
DATC OF
INrO.
PLACE
?A.TC ACCT.
large transporters
with deck load were seen almost doily and sometimes even twice
a day in Arkhangelsk main fairwater (Beryozovy Canal), coming
from the open sea0 A total of 10 transporters as observed. The
ships had an average 8,000 dint and were either of identical or
similar type?
Description:
of paint.
even gray3 sh-black paint and hammer and
sickle emblem.
High deck tvrith m idship cabin and bridge; bridge had nothing
unusual; radar mast aft of the bridge; normal radar set for
merchant vessels
very broad
Outboard coat of paint: very dark gray, almost 'Olackf even coat
with roofed deckhouse: and motor drive. Groups of three or four
men i_n blue naval uniform were with each boat. They were
obviously members of the crew standing guard.
S-E-C-R-E.aT
ec_ cargo: each ship carried 10 large boats of the launch type
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50X1-HUM
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S-E-C-R-E--T
Deck: six launches were on the foredeck and four on the
quarter deck. It could not be'obsorved whether the ships
remained in Arkhangelsk or whether they put to sea again.
Comment. I D/F TZIMLYANSKGES of
5, 9 GRT with 9 or 10 small landing craft as deck cargo
passed the Sound en :route toward north.
There is the possibility that the launch-type boats with
roofed deckhouse and motor drive *ere shipped to Arkhangelsk
to be prepared and fitted out for landing purposes. This
assumption is supported by the.ob,ervation of three or four
crew members with each boat. It i# moreover safe to conclude
that up North, within a radius of250 to 350 seamiles a
shipyard is located where such boats are being built, since
transports of 10 to 20 boats were seen daily, The statement that
the boats had motor drive is believed to have been only an
assumption,
According to the description of the transporters, the
report may refer to
IVAN BABUSHKIN Class
ITwo of these ships were seen in
Arkhangelsk at the time under review,, while other ships of these
classes were seen th,3re in the summer or have not been observed
for quite some time,
Type STANISLAVSKY, 3,385 GRT, 1,577.NRT, 5,800 dwt:
length: 118.5 meters
breadth: 16 meters
draft; 6.6 meters
speed: 12 knots
two radar sets
two mast antennas
radio direction finder
echo sounder
gyro-compass
ten derricks, each o:P 7.5 tons
1 heavy derrick of 15 tons
I heavy derrick of 30 tons
4 hatches
Type IVAN EABUSHKIN, 1,71.2 GRT, 1,100 NRT, 34100 dwt
length: 99.5 meters
breadth: 14 meters
draft: 5.6 meters
speed: 12 knots
radar set
radio direction finder
echo sounder
10 derricks of 7..5 tons. each
1 heavy derrick of 1'i tons
I heavy derrick of 30 tons
4 hatches.
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CCUNTt`11 USSR
t sr,c C Observations Made in the Barents Sea DATE OF t? i` ',$z 26 October 1959
VALUATIONS /S.I L-9114 .9VI AP;ItAaPaL C M'OTE F0,HWING
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
C:;PLAt`AT CTs'3.
1. The homeport of all Sov::et*trawlers, fishing in the Barents Sea and in the
area north of Spitzbergen, was Murmansk. The vessels had a conspicuously
long forecastle and a tripod mast. The strength of the forecastle with its
installations may have been inrlinat.i-wi of possible gun emplacements.. 50X1-HUM
Although -she Soviet ves,els were of the some size as the
trawlers.. the;~ had more accommodation space and partly also
larger hatch covers.
50X1-HUM
2.* Fifteen Soviet trawlers were observed off Ayhe west. coast of Spitzbergen.
They were fishing there for some days and then went northward.
3. East German trawler ERFJRT was observed with two other Soviet trawlers near
the Isle of. Beeren. The trawler ERFUR'1 and one of the Soviet trawlers
were connected by a hose; after the hgse had been cuJJ off, the three
trawlers ran in northward ,direction.
4. It was frequently observedi that Soviet and East German trawlers were out
on joint fishing runs. Jne unit usually consisted of one East German and
two or three Soviet trawlers.
5. Barentsburg (Spitzberge:a) was the main base of the Soviet fishery. Vessels
of all sizes could enter the base. it had sufficient bunker space for coal
and oil.
6. Fishery research vessel TUNETS was also observed in he above-mentioned
sea areas0 The TUNETS is a big Soviet trawler and has a crew of 41 men and
scientists aboard. The scientific sta# consists of 6 assistants and a
female engineer as specialist for fishing gear. lit least two officers of the
crew are highly qualified radio operators.
Comment, The hose connection between rest German steamtrawler 50X1-HUM
ERFURT and one of the Soviet trawlers is nothing unusual. The ERFURT is
presumably a motor tanker'(a trawler-shaped tanker), which serves as supply
S-E-C-R-E.