Teplokhod-class minelayer

Class overview
Name	Pukkio class
Builders	Valtion venetelakka, Helsinki, Finland
Operators	Imperial Russian Navy, Finnish Navy, Estonian Navy, Soviet Navy
Built	1914-1916
In commission	1914-1952 (?)
Completed	10
Lost	2
Retired	8
General characteristics
Type	Minelayer
Displacement	60-80 tons
Length	20.3-28.0 m
Beam	4.5-5.7 m
Draught	1.2-1.5 m
Propulsion	80 hp (60 kW)
Speed	9 knots (17 km/h)
Complement	6
Armament	Teplokhod-class 1 x 47 mm; 80 mines; In Finnish use: 1 x 20 mm or 1 x machine gun; 30-45 mines;

The Teplokhod class motor minelayer was constructed as inshore motor minelayers intended for laying ground controlled shallow water minefields. Their small size and ability to maneuver in shallow waters made them suited for this task however those same features made it dangerous to operate these ships in open sea.^[3]

History

Finnish Navy

Finnish Navy operated five ships of this class, Pommi, Miina, Loimu, Lieska and Paukku. They had been left into Finland when Russians withdrew in 1918. It took until 1920 to get them refitted for service. During the Winter War they laid between 1 December and 6 December 1939 total of 352 mines to 12 different minefields.^[3] The ships continued to serve in Continuation War in both minelaying as well as in transport roles.

Name	Previous Name	Commissioned	Fate
Loimu	T-21	1920-1960s (?)	Stricken from the lists. In civilian use at least until 1990.
Lieska	T-16	1920-1950s	Stricken from the lists.
Paukku	T-15	1920-1941	Foundered in November 1941
Pommi	M-7	1920-1950s	Stricken from the lists.
Miina	T-17	1920-1952	Stricken from the lists.

While transporting troops and supplied to Beryozovye Islands Finnish ship of the class Paukku foundered during a storm on 13/14 November 1941.^[2]^[3]

Estonian Navy

Estonian Navy operated several ships of this class, some of which were taken over by Soviet forces in 1940.

Soviet Navy

Soviet forces commissioned at least two ships of the class in 1940 for various tasks. One of the ships of this class was scuttled 27 August 1941.

References

^ ^a ^b Gardiner, Robert, ed. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921. London, England: Conway Maritime Press Ltd. p. 321. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
^ ^a ^b Kijanen, Kalervo (1968). "Erikoistietoja Suomen Laivastovoimien Aluksista" [Special information on the Ships of the Finnish Navy]. Suomen Laivasto 1918–1968, II [Finnish Navy 1918–1968, part II] (in Finnish). Helsinki, Finland: Meriupseeriyhdistys/Otavan Kirjapaino.
^ ^a ^b ^c Auvinen, Visa (1983). Leijonalippu merellä [Lion flag at sea] (in Finnish). Pori, Finland: Satakunnan Kirjapaino Oy. pp. 36–37. ISBN 951-95781-1-0.

[conway-1] Gardiner, Robert, ed. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921. London, England: Conway Maritime Press Ltd. p. 321. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.

[kij-2] Kijanen, Kalervo (1968). "Erikoistietoja Suomen Laivastovoimien Aluksista" [Special information on the Ships of the Finnish Navy]. Suomen Laivasto 1918–1968, II [Finnish Navy 1918–1968, part II] (in Finnish). Helsinki, Finland: Meriupseeriyhdistys/Otavan Kirjapaino.

[auv-3] Auvinen, Visa (1983). Leijonalippu merellä [Lion flag at sea] (in Finnish). Pori, Finland: Satakunnan Kirjapaino Oy. pp. 36–37. ISBN 951-95781-1-0.

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[2]