The history of the ship "Mikhail Somov"

History can be praised not only by personalities, but also by objects. In the marine business there is a huge number of outstanding ships, whose names are known throughout the world. But not always ships became popular due to military battles. There were also those who got fame for other reasons. It is about the ship "Mikhail Somov".

Researcher-researcher

To start a story about this icebreaker stands with its name. Like most other ships, this one was named after a famous Soviet researcher. Mikhail Mikhailovich Somov was born in 1908 in Moscow. He gave his beloved business for many years, became a doctor of geographical sciences, and in 1952 he was awarded the Gold Star of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The father of the future researcher was a fish breeder and professor in one of the country's universities. Mikhail Mikhailovich also began teaching in it after graduating from the institute. At the age of 30 he had the opportunity to go on an Arctic expedition.

Mikhail Mikhailovich was able to survive the Great Patriotic War and was even awarded medals: "For the defense of the Soviet Arctic", "For victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945", as well as the Order of the Red Star.

During the war, he participated in ice operations in the White Sea flotilla. Several times helped the ships pass the Arctic, and later defended a small settlement of Dixon from the German cruiser.

After the war, Mikhail Somov managed to return to his academic career. He defended his thesis, headed the polar station "North Pole 2". In 1955 he had the opportunity to become the head of the first Soviet Antarctic expedition. Subsequently, more than once was the commander of research trips.

Birthday

Mikhail Mikhailovich died in 1973. In autumn next year the State Committee for Hydrometeorology and Hydrology of the USSR ordered a project. They became the ship "Mikhail Somov". The ship was launched on water only in February 1975. In the summer of this year, the State Flag of the USSR was raised on the ship. On this day, the future ice-conqueror was officially "born." Immediately he was transferred to the administration of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. And in the fall of 1975 the first flight took place.

First difficulties

At that time, navigation through the "ice land" was not easy and dangerous. Despite the fact that the drift was always unpleasant for the team, it was a rather common affair. Probably, it was surprising that the icebreaker Mikhail Somov got into a drift only two years after its first trip.

This happened in 1977. The mission of that flight was to supply and replace the personnel of the Leningradskaya Leningradskaya station. But just on the way to this mission the ship encountered ice with a solidarity of 8-10 points. He stopped moving, and he hoped for the best. A little later, the first drift in Ballen massif began in the life of Mikhail Somov.

The ship's crew did not lose their heads. They even managed to fulfill the task. After almost two months, the icebreaker managed to escape from the trap. During 53 days of "captivity" he swam more than 250 miles.

Loud event

But a truly high-profile event occurred only in 1985. Then the icebreaker Mikhail Somov went to the Ross Sea. There is a nearby station, "Russian", which needed supplies and personnel change.

Even then it was known that this Pacific sector of Antarctica is famous for its dangerous "surprises". Ice arrays were very heavy, so the ship spent a lot of time and to the station arrived much later. It so happened that the Antarctic winter was already beginning at the destination.

The time was not easy. But "Mikhail Somov" could not leave his compatriots. The vessel was supposed to unload the fuel and products, as well as to change the personnel.

The beginning of troubles

Then the events unfolded quickly. Already on March 15 the ship fell into an ice trap. A strong wind rose and the team was blocked by heavy ice. The firm cover of the sea was 3-4 meters thick. It became clear that it would not be possible to get out quickly.

The rescue operation began. Now it was necessary to calculate, with the help of satellites and aerial reconnaissance, the approximate terms for the release of the icebreaker Mikhail Somov. The ship, presumably, could have escaped captivity only by the end of 1985.

In addition to the fact that during this time the team could significantly decrease in quantity, there were still problems and at all to be crushed. In addition, such a story has already happened to "Chelyuskin". It was clear that we need to develop a plan for the formation of the ice camp, where the team had to move to wait for salvation.

Do not act idle

Later it became known that not far from the captured team was the ship "Pavel Korchagin." But "not far" was a rather subjective concept. By the standards of the Antarctic, it really was close, but in fact there were hundreds of kilometers between the ships.

At this time, the country's news channels only said that about the fate of the team. It was necessary to urgently rescue the ship "Mikhail Somov". The drift at any moment could ruin the lives of dozens of people. Then the allegations began that the ship was abandoned to the mercy of fate and to rescue someone too late.

In fact, these were just rumors. In April, 77 people were transported by helicopters to the ship Pavel Korchagin. 53 polar explorers still remained on the ship. Among them was Captain Valentin Rodchenko. Already in May, cracks appeared in the ice around the ship. There was a hope for salvation. But things got worse. The wind carried the ship to the south.

Help

Already at the beginning of the summer of 1985 the government decided to send an icebreaker "Vladivostok" to the rescue expedition. In a few days the ship came to the rescue to colleagues. In just 5 days, the ship loaded with fuel, equipment and helicopters.

But the captain of Vladivostok faced an extremely difficult task. Gennady Anokhin needed to manage the ship so that he himself did not have to be rescued. Otherwise, the story of the icebreaker Mikhail Somov would end there.

The problem was that the vessel of the Vladivostok type had an underwater part that was ovoid in shape. This was done in order that, in case of danger, the ship itself be pushed out of the traps. But before Gennady Anokhin there was a task not only to get to "Mikhail Somov", but also to overcome the famous latitudes: the fortieth and the fiftieth, which were famous for their fury and danger.

"Vladivostok" has successfully reached New Zealand, where it received another fuel and went to Antarctica.

Famous personalities

The history of Mikhail Somov gave an opportunity to get acquainted with such brave people as Artur Chilingarov and Viktor Gusev. The first at that time was the head of the rescue operation and on "Vladivostok" got to the captives. The second is now a well-known sports commentator. Few people know, but his career began after the incident with the famous icebreaker.

So, when Chilingarov was appointed head of the rescue operation, the polar explorers were not enthusiastic. Some even treated it with hostility. But it was Gusev who later spoke in defense of the official. He said that Chilingarov was not just a scientist and traveler, he was an expert in his business, and most importantly, he was devoted to him.

The commentator told later a story that strikes so far. It turns out that after the dispatch of Vladivostok from New Zealand, the ship overtook the storm. In addition to the fact that the team was not accustomed to such events, the ship was not prepared for the bad weather at all. The icebreaker shook from side to side. For three days the polar explorers suffered from seasickness. Cooks could not do anything. And only Chilingarov quietly moved around the ship, preparing, if someone asked.

The misfortune for misfortune

While the ship "Mikhail Somov" survived as it could, "Vladivostok" still struggled with the storm. At this time, the barrels of fuel, which the team received in New Zealand, began to wash overboard. Chilingarov told the polar explorers that if they lose 50% of the fuel, then they will be able to hold out to the captives, but if 51%, the ship will have to return.

Gusev remembers that everyone who could stand on their feet rushed to tie barrels. And they did it to what only it was possible. As a result, it turned out that they lost less than half the fuel, and the remaining was enough to get to "Mikhail Somov."

Victims for Salvation

Fuel and food was really scarce. The team had to save as much resources as possible, in order not only to survive by themselves, but also to save colleagues. It was decided to wash and bathe only twice a month. For days on end the crew kept cleaning the screw and the rudder from the ice. It was necessary to be as cautious as possible, because the life was not only his own life, but also his colleagues.

A month after the departure, Vladivostok was able to get to the vessel Pavel Korchagin. Now the course was held on the diesel-electric ship "Mikhail Somov". A week later, the MI-8 helicopter got to the prisoners and brought the necessary resources to the board.

Courage and Courage

The ship remained about two hundred kilometers. "Vladivostok" falls into the ice trap. Victor Gusev to this day remembers how the crew of the ship went to the ice. A huge rope was launched from the ship. The crew made a hole, put an anchor in it and began to rock the ship. This practice has already been applied to the polar explorers, perhaps even successfully. But the rescue expedition was not lucky this time.

Such events could not be ignored. Nature decided to give a chance to the sailors, and the next morning the glaciers left Vladivostok in peace. The polar explorers did not have time for joy. It was urgent to save colleagues.

The whole of the Soviet Union observed the events in Antarctica. July 26 at 9 am Chilingarov with the team reached the captive "Mikhail Somov." Within two hours the ship was paralyzed and picked up.

It was necessary to hurry. Antarctic winter could take both crews by surprise. The ship "Mikhail Somov" was to be removed from heavy ice. Almost 3 weeks later, the icebreakers went out into the open ocean, and after 6 days they reached Wellington, where they were met as real heroes.

New Adventures

It so happened that "Mikhail Somov" was destined for the third time to get into ice drift. It happened not at the most suitable moment - in 1991. In the summer the crew went to rescue the station Molodezhnaya. There he evacuated the polar explorers aboard the ship. But on the way home he was again a prisoner of ice. In mid-August the pilots set off to rescue the team.

The entire crew had to be returned to the Molodezhnaya station again. And only a couple of days the IL-76MD was able to release 190 polar explorers. The vessel continued to be trapped until December 28. To him to help so no one came, it was due to the difficult situation in the country. And if Mikhail Somov was able to escape on his own, the Soviet Union remained forever "under cold political ice."

In the ranks

In 2000, the ship was repaired and sent to the Northern UGMS. To this day, Mikhail Somov, whose photo remains in the memory of many, serves the good of the polar explorers. For the first year after his revival, he successfully completed two flights, delivering cargo to the polar stations.

The following year, there were seven such expeditions. In addition to auxiliary flights, scientific research also resumed. In 2003, the icebreaker traveled on the Pechora-Shtokman 2003 program, and also made a trip to the Arctic in order to supply the researchers with everything necessary.

For 16 years he performed dozens of flights, which were connected not only with the help of polar stations, but also with research assignments. Now he delivers equipment and supplies to stations and border outposts, and also helps to carry out the study of Arctic ice. The ship proudly holds the name of the famous scientist Mikhail Somov, and continues to make his contribution to science.

Awards

The icebreaker, like his famous explorer, also received awards. After a hard and bold 1985 expedition, Mikhail Somov received the Order of the Red Banner of Labor for standing heroically for 133 days in ice drift in Antarctica.

At the same time, the captain of the ship Valentin Rodchenko was awarded: he became the Hero of the Soviet Union. Do not forget about the rest of his crew.