PORT OF ODESSA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00415R012500160002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 17, 2012
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 17, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/20: CIA-RDP83-00415RO12500160002-3
CLASSIFICATION SECRET/CONTROiF--'U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
SECURITY INFORMATION
j~FEB 1952 51-4AA
INFORMATION REPORT REPORT
CD NO.
COUNTRY USSR (Black Sea)
SUBJECT Pc,-r t, of Ode,asa
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE DISTR. 17 November 1952
Jp1r, OF PAGES 7
DO NOT CIRCULAT (LISTED BELONW)
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE.
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE 18, SECTIONS 793
AND 794, OF THE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS TRAN$MISS ION OR REVE-
LATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE R.EPRODUCTION OF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
The rate of loading coal was noteworthys a single cr850X1-HUM
32O tons in less than 24 hours.
2. The area around the oil pier and immediately to the north was the site
of an industrial complex
At I on Attachment 1 there was a large shed with a corrugated metal roo ,
resting on metal pillars. It might possibly have been a hangar.
there were many buildings which were part of an
there was 'a ramp which extended
from the tallest building to the roof of the adjacent lower building.
There were a great many smokestacks, among them. one much taller .than the
industrial complex.
4. Behind the buildings at 2 there were a number of cylindrical tanks
for combustible fuels.
Approximately at 3 and 4 on Attachment 1. there were other industrial
establishments. The latter was observed to have a tall smokestack
painted with horizontal black and white stripes. At night it emitted
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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ego
a reddish smoke following frequent bursts of flames The factory might
possibly be identified as the steel mill or machine-tool plant that is
known to exist in Odessa and from which the countries of the eastern
bloc are supplied with machines such as cranes. tractors. eta- F
50X1-HUM
Immediately to the south of this complex, at 5 on Attachment 1 there was
the Gas Works 50X1-HUM
7, In front of the factories at 4 and 5 and facing the basins B and C on
Attachment 1., there were shipyards for repairs. They were observed to
have a concrete dry dock at 0/1 with a crane on each of its four corners,
two metal dry docks at C/2 and 0/3,, an undetermined number of workshops
that at C/1 appeared to be the largest,
with cranes, and other unidentified equipment, Of the three dry' docks
50X1-HUM
r, sir s and a jesesenger ship of about 4.,000 tons,, both undergoing repairs,
..,.be dock at C/? 9 a ship being built but neither tonnage50X1-HUM
nor type could be discerned. All the dry docks had on their sides, the
warning in Cyrillic letters, "Go slowly-do not moor here"".
'th- docks at C/1 and b/2 were occupied respectively by the
supported a green light (6/a).
On the pierhead,, at its southwestern end,, there was an iron tower which
the L-shaped foot of the oil pier at 6 on Attachment la. 50X1-HUM
South of th;,:..'1. pier there were two naval basins enclosed b the ier at
on Atta,`.hno,xj.r 1, 50X1-HUM
In the latter are moored
:0, Poor viaibiiity and distance prevented
Px'e,tique Harbor in much detail,
At
its southeastern end, at 8 as, there was an iron tower with a red light
on it,
11, In the center of the pier at 9 there was a 1?5 meter high wall which
extended lengthwise from the pierhead$, towards the shore end, for a
distance approximately one-third the length of the, pier, 9/a on Attachment
1 indicates the wail. Southeast of the wall at 9b there were five or
s UOO tons for storing fish and meat.
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
13, The New Mole at 10 is used primarily for the exporting of coal a
six warehouses, constructed of masonry and Dainted white. 50X1-HUM
tracks on the pier at ce
some refrigerator c
these were refrigerator bUAI-HUIVI
ars on the only railroad
12. At, the shore end of the pier,at 9/d9 a building was under construction
which was to be a refrigerator warehouse
It will have freezing units with a capacity of
14,
ships loading coal usually dock there. 50X1-HUM
The pier was illuminated
by our searchlights which were on a platform supported by an iron
hewer at 10/a. Two identical towers were located at the s ore end of the
pier at .10/in and 10/n, 50X1-HUM
On the eastern corner of the pier there was a double shear-legged crane
which have a considerable capacity. On the opposite 50X1-HUM
corner, the one facing Cabotage Harbor., there was a crane with a seven-.
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ton capacity at 10/c,. It. had an adjustable jib and moved on tracks that
extended practically the whole length of the pier. On the pier side that
faced the New Harbor there was another set of tracks on which
a 20.-,ton parrot crane at 10/d,,, two 11.5-ton cranes with ad. usti e Jibs at50X1-HUM
1.0/e, and a parrot crane of seven tons?capacity at 10/f.
The working radius of the cranes at 1O/e and 10/f was judged to be about
22 meters. In the center of the pier there was a short railroad spur that
ran lengthwise. , On it a crane with two hooks, at 10/g. One50X1-HUM
of the hooks had an 11=ton capacity and the other 15 tons. The crane
had a working radius of 30 meters. All the cranes on the New Mole were
electrically operated and were fed by a rubber-insulated cable which was
wound on a spool. 50X1-HUM
SECRET CONTROL U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
15. The railroad track which runs down the center of the pier connects with
the main railroad line of the port.
1.6. At 10/j and 10/k there were two one-story masonry warehouses,, one was
50 x 60 meters-and the other 20 x 30 meters. Each of the warehouses had
four large doors on the side facing the New Harbor and these opened towards
the outside. Several r w? 7ows provide light for the warehouses,and
see piles of cement bags inside. 50X1-HUM
17. There was a small structure at 10/i which probably was used as an electric
transformer station. 50X1-HUM
The structure at, 10/1 at the shore end of the pier was used as the office
of the port workers.
to those used in Western European railroad stations.
in temporary sheds. Towards the shore end of the piers I 50X1-HUM
a heap of grayish black ore which, judging from the efforts of those who
were loading its must have been very heavy. The ore looked like manganese,
and the pile covered an area 10 x 4 meters and was about 1.5 meters .high.
It was protected by a tarpaulin.
20. For transporting on the pier itself, small cars which were electrically
powered (or possibly battery run) were used. These machines were similar
19. On the New Mole itself there were heaped piles of coal of varying size.
Where were large beams stacked between the two warehouses already mentioned.
At different places along the piers construction materials such as bags
21. The ships moored to the quay at the New Harbor obscured it from view
The quay at the New Harbor is likewise used primarily for loading coal.
There were an undetermined number of adjustable jib cranes (10/o)~ rnx1-HI IM
In the naval basin itself there were 50X1-HUM
two mooring buoys at F11 and F/2,respectively.
22. The Platonovskiy Uo19
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The pier 50X1-HUM
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4~0
was lighted by six searchlights which were on an iron tower (11/e). 50X1-HUM
a There was a similar tower at 11 at 50X1-HUM
the shore end of the pier. On the side of the pier that faced the New
Harbor, there were three 10-ton adjustable jib cranes whose working radius
was about 30 meters. They were electrically powered and ran on tracks
which traversed the pier lengthwise, A fourth crane at 11/b was being
assembled at the head of the railroad track already mentioned.
The railroad spur that ran along the side that faced the
Quarantine Harbor connected with the main port line.
23. The pilot-,59 headquarters was probably the small brick building at-111A
-where
several of the pilot boats at the mooring,
50X1-HUM
24. Metal 'barrels and 'bales of cork were noted on the pier-, while at 13/g there
were several warehouses. 50X1-HUM
On the New Harbor side of the pier there was an enclosed platform, two to
three meters wide., which extended the entire length of the pier. 50X1-HUM
The quay was furnished with nine 11.5-ton cranes with adjustable
jibe and a working radius of 22 meters. All electrically powered, the fav-
50X1-HUM
h
ile the
cranes at 1.2/a move on a track situated at the edge of the ier w
other four move on another track further inland.
(13/a). bUA1-NUIVI
and are indicated on Attachment 1. at 12/c. Three pr more warehouses were
at 12/d.,while a large shed was under constructing at 12/e. The latter cnv11 uiinn
d
t
l
e
e
was about ou x 35 meeter`s9 and the ground floor was already aaitp
awaiting now the completion of the second story.It is built of reinforced
I Ail-
concrete over a framework and it haS brick walls.
26. At G/4 there was a steamer which was being repaired. The presence of this
boat, coupled with the continuous stream of workers between there and the
shore;
Two railroad spurs run parallel along the quay 50X1-HUM
there may be a shipyard for repairs
in the vicinity.
27, On the Quarantine Mole abt `3 there were some grain bins. At 13/a there
was a comparatively new ira It consisted of an
elevated storage bin on pil ars from which descended a number of loading
spouts. Very close by, and actually connected with the bin,there was a grain
elevator constructed of masonry and consisting of three or four cylindrical
At 13 b there was another bin which moved on a
. Some older grain bins were at 13/d 50X1-HUM
In the latter., the details o the construction 50X1-HUM
seen and ten loading spouts are visible.
28. The Quarantine Mole was illuminated by four
an iron tower at 13/c.
To the west of the grain bins a railroad
the pier. Before reaching the bins, the
Attachment 1. On this part of the trac
cars,- among them were some 60-ton cars
29. The offices of Inflot were in the one-s
searchlights which were
track
track
k
50X1-HUM
ran the entire length of
became double,as shown on
-]observed several freight
tort' building at 13/f
A two-story masonry construction at 13/g9 very near 50X1-HUM
Inflot, was also used for offices. At 13/h there was
a low-lying stiiacture. The Quarantine. Mole was constructed of masonry.
for the greater part of its length but sections of it, such as those in
front of the bins at 1:3/b and 13/d,were constructed of wood.
The head of the Quarantine Mole curves to become the eastern breakwaters
It is constructed of blocks of cement which have been-levelled on the top.
At the rounded end of the breakwater there was a red beacon light on an
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iron tower at 14/a. This marked the harbor entrance. All along the
breakwater there were poles from which fishing nets were suspended.
31. The outer breakwater at 15
This part
41 icular breakwater was formed by a floor of cement blocks, above
which a th3.(~'k wall rises on the outer side. On the southwest side there
were projections at regular intervals which were on a level with the outside
wal.:l, These p.ro jedtions were constructed of stone and on each of them there
was affixed a mooring bar with a mushroom head. The sketch below shows
the breakwater as it appears from above.
On the two ends of the breakwater there were iron towers which supported
beacon lights, a green one on the southeast at 15/a and a red one on the
other end at 15/b.
32. The breakwater at 16 was to the north of the red beacon at 15/b and
protected the basins at A,, B, and C. It is composed of a jetty of
33. Southwest of the New Mole on the other side of the port fence there was
an impoding flight of stairs at Z which led to the city. At the side of
the stairway there was a cable line and at the top of the stairs there rose
a monument to Pushkin. At night the stairway and the monument were brightly
illuminated.- The public transportation system was efficient and well kept
and re;entl.y several new trolley buses had been put in service.. The
center of the city was well cared for and the shops were well stocked. The
roads leading to the city were also being repaired.
34. The town inhabitants., the women especially, dress very plainly. 50X1-HUM
the absence of men over 20 to 25 years of age. 'Youths over 50X1-HUM
5.
15 were organized into gangs that bought everything from foreign sailors,,
namely., clothing, cigarettes, foodstuffs, etc. They often wanted to
purchase even the clothes that the sailors were wearing.
the following ships.
50X1-HUM
(1)
Oil. Harbor
a. Two oil tankers at A/1 and A/2
A tanker at anchor at A/3 with a 6009-to 700-ton tender a
c. A 600-to 700-ton barge loaded with oil,, at A/4
longsid
e
(2)
Repairing.Basin
a. A Soviet passenger ship of more than.4,000 tons, undergoing
repairs in the dry dock at C/i
b. The . undergoing repairs in the dry dock at C/2
c. A naval unit of undetermined type, on the dry dock at C/3
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off,
do Two steamers of 7,000 to 8,000 tons, under repair at C/4
e, Two steamers of 48000 to 5,000 tons, under repair at C15
f4 A ship of 7,000 to 3,000 tons which was painted gray,, similar t.'
the units of the Soviet Navy. It may have been an auxiliary vessel'
g0 A floating crane at C/7
50X1-HUM
} The Military Mole
ae The Ross* a, moored at the pierhead at H/io It had come from Batun .,
(4)
(5)
A passenger-freighter of the NikolayevF'Odessa line at Ella
Cabotage Harbor
a, A steamer of more than 3 ,,000 tons at E/2
b, The Vol.okollamsk, unloading coal on land as well as on the barge
drawn alongside. Later the barge unloaded the coal on the quay
Coal Pier
,a The Fr ,b ~ at F/39 unloading and
b, The Karl Marx at F/4, unloading cement
(6) New Harbor
a, The Vorosh:lov at F/5. It had unloaded its cargo of coal in
five and one-half hours, using three hoists,
b. The barge which had loaded from the Volokolamsk and then
sub.sequuently unloaded. It is indicated at -7o
c. The 2,000-ton Toros at F/7. Alongside there was a small floating
grain elevator,which in turn was moored to the quay,
50X1-HUM
(7) Platonovskiy Mole
a. Two recently constructed tuazs, at F/g0
b0, The P8tx Veljkij, at F/9a
4,500 tons and sails regularly to Alban a,
c. The tug, Mo, Kutuzov at F/10
(8) Quarantine Harbor
ao The Bul aria at G/l, unloading machines and parts destined
for Bulgaria, On deck there were trucks and crane parts,
bo The Aradreina Marsano at G/2,, loading machines and machine parts
destined for Burgas. There were trucks observed on deck.
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c. The Liberty Sevastopol of Leningrad at G/3, loading pipes, sheet
metal and pieces of machinery
d. A Soviet ship under repair at G/4
The Admiral Ushakov, at G/5
50X1-HUM
. g, The Krasnodar? at G/7. This ship was about 7,000 tons.
h. The Orel, at G/8
37?
c, Soviet ship of over 7,000 tons at H/4
(9) Quarantine Mole
a. A small Soviet passenger ship at H/2
(10) The Breakwater
a.
The stern of the ship at H/4
ers at H/5.
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About 300 tons each,
1. Port of Odessa
units were armed with a small gun or mac ine gun a e ow but
the armament was jacketed. All were equipped with radar.
In the port area,
the sails were furled in a most unsailorlike fashion and tha50X1-HUM
the cadets on board, all robust youths over 17 or 18 years of age,
were always performing rowing drills.
c. A Soviet motorship at H/7
men
used to transport ma-eria a port area. These ~ as already
resemble the small cars used in Western European railroad stations.
ned,
38. For local use there were an undetermined number of lighters and barges o
used for loading liquids as well as dry stuffs. There also was observed
a floating structure that eorisisted of two barges connected by a trellis
that was two to three meters higher than the bridges of the barges.F
50X1-HUM
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two cranes of medium capacity.
Small electrically powered cars wer
tio