The Swedes found Gepard, WW1 Russian submarine

25.09.2009
Swedish research vessel Jacob Haegg has discovered WW1 Russian submarine at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, says Swedish Maritime Administration.

The sub was found on Sept, 10 during researches near Gotska Sandön island 38 km north of the Götland island.

The well-preserved submarine lies at the bottom at a depth of 100 m. It likely collided with a mine – its hull is damaged by explosion. Investigation of debris shows that Jacob Haegg most likely found Russian Bars-type submarine Gepard, disappeared in 1917. There were 12 Bars-type subs on mission in Baltic Sea during WW1.

The Swedes are not planning to lift the submarine, but for reasons of safety they may withdraw torpedoes attached to its hull.

In 1992 the Swedes found another Bars-type submarine, Levitsa, east of Gotska Sandön island at a depth of 120 m. According to the routes of Russian submarines patrolling Baltic Sea during WW1, the lead Bars-type submarine with the same name could also be sunk in the region.

The construction of Gepard submarine was started at Baltiysky Zavod shipyard on Sept 28, 1913, it was put afloat on June 2, 1915 and came into service on July 12, 1915. It performed 15 combat cruises. The last one, to Filzand Island, was started on Oct 12, 1917.

The submarine's length is 67.9 m, width is 4.47 m, draft is 3.94 m, submerged displacement is 780 t, submergence depth is 50 m, crew is 40 men. Armament: 37-mm and 57-mm artillery guns, machinegun, 12 torpedoes.

Source: RusNavy.com, photo: the Bars-type submarine (submarine.narod.ru)