Estonian submarine force officially dead

[antikristuseke]

A few days ago one of the longest serving submarines in the world is not decommissioned from the Estonian Navy, the EML Lembit flag lowering ceremony can be watched here. http://www.reporter.ee/2011/05/16/allveelaev-lembit-arvati-merevae-laevastikust-valja/

She was launched in 1936 and had technicaly been in service since then, though in reality most of that time as either a training or museum boat. That being said the hull or bulkheads were never modified for ease of access so she is still technically seaworthy. Anyhow she will be raised out of the water in the near future, weather premiting.

More information on her here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EML_Lembit

[Anthony W.]

All I can say is Wow

[Jimbuna]

The end for a grand old lady :salute:

[CCIP]

The end for a grand old lady :salute:

And not even really the end, just a worthy retirement!

Much better than any other 'end' that could've befallen a sub. Great to see her preserved - I do hope to make it down to Tallinn one day and see her!

[Torplexed]

Considering all Estonia went through, I find it remarkable she made it this far. There's a national treasure. :up:

[joea]

Amazing story-especially considering she served in two different navies.

I'll never cease regretting the fact the HMS Warspite was not preserved. :nope:

[HunterICX]

I'll never cease regretting the fact the HMS Warspite was not preserved. :nope:

I think we can have that with many of the Great War / World War 2 relics...

HunterICX

[Luuraja]

Flag lowering on EML Lembit means that Estonian Maritime Museum has started to make their plans true. Personally I was very afraid she will sunk before drydocking, restoration and opening as a museum.

EML Lembit will be dragged onto land in tonight, between 00:30 to morning.
That is because sea must be more or less waveless, especially dangerous are sharp backwash waves of Tallinn-Helsinki fast ferries. High spot will be around sunrise.
Everyone in Tallinn this night can go watch this show at Lennusadam (Seaplane Harbour, future place of Maritime Museum). No fee, but dress warmly, it is rather cold before sunrise here now in Estonia ;)

Maritime Museum gave some promise to broadcast this process by internet. Stay tuned, when so, I will let you know.

Sadly I can't go myself, but some friends of mine promised to take photographs.

Antikristuseke, tore näha kaasmaalast siin. (that was coded message:)

[AVGWarhawk]

She is quite beautiful and has quite a history! I hope she is kept as museum. :up:

[Luuraja]

She is quite beautiful and has quite a history! I hope she is kept as museum. :up:
Of course she will be kept as a museum, no other way. Nobody in Estonia wants this symbol of pre-WWII national effort to be just scrapped. Lembit will be major part of renewing Estonian Maritime Museum, which will be located in that same Lennusadam (Seaplane Harbour) unique hangars and around.

Let's just hope that this 75-year old submarine can be dragged onto land in one piece.

[AVGWarhawk]

Of course she will be kept as a museum, no other way. Nobody in Estonia wants this symbol of pre-II world war national effort to be just scrapped. Lembit will be major part of renewing Estonian Maritime Museum, which will be located in that same Lennusadam (Seaplane Harbour) unique hangars and around.

And this is a beautiful thing! :up:

[Luuraja]

Seems like the broadcast will start here:
http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/tana-delfis-otseulekanne-allveelaev-lembitu-kaldale-tostmisest.d?id=46340389

[Luuraja]

Some photos of my trip onboard EML Lembit:
https://picasaweb.google.com/kuuse.indrek/AllveelaevLembitSubmarineLembit#

[AVGWarhawk]

I love the rocker valve assembly picture. I would love to hear this engine run. Great pictures. She looks good. Grand old boat!

[antikristuseke]

´It is still hard to believe that a pre WW2 boat is still technically seaworthy.

[CaptainMattJ.]

I think we can have that with many of the Great War / World War 2 relics...

HunterICX
:hijacked:

On an unrelated note, Hunter i notice your V for Vandetta sig. :yeah:

Love that movie.

*end thread hijack*

Back to business, a better end as any for a resilient Sub :up:

And, Antikrisutke, although shes old, any boat that could float 60 years ago can float today. Same principles apply to weapons and equipment. A sword made 500 years ago is still just as capable of chopping a mans arm off as it was back then. Times havent changed to the point where vessels made so long ago to sail the seas arent capable of it today, nor is the sword or bow and arrow any less capable of killing a man. :up:

At least, so long as their maintained.If the boat was left to rot in port, it wouldnt fare so well on the seas

[Mulder]

Im from Estonia :)

http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/otse-allveelaev-lembitut-oo-jooksul-kaldale-ei-saadud.d?id=46340389&l=fplead

LIVE VIDEO

[Mulder]

http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/fotod-allveelaev-lembit-on-juba-peaaegu-kaldal.d?id=46384241&l=fplead

final photos

[Platapus]

´It is still hard to believe that a pre WW2 boat is still technically seaworthy.

All depends on how it is maintained

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uss_constitution