The history of the icebreaker "Baikal"

Baikal - a Russian steam-icebreaker ferry fleetoperating on Lake Baikal in 1899-1918.

Icebreaker "Baikal"

At the beginning of 1895, on the proposal of the Minister of Railways of Prince Khilkov, construction of a ferry crossing over Lake Baikal for the Trans-Siberian Railway was started.

Cover

To do this, 30 December 1895 was contracted with the British company Sir W. G. Armstrong, Vitworth and Co to manufacture disassembled icebreaking ferry without wooden works with spare parts.


Icebreaker drawings

Icebreaker drawings

In the spring of 1896, the icebreaker was disassembled and delivered for assembly in the village of Listvenichnoe.

Shipyard shipyard workers at Lake Baikal

After three years of construction, it was launched on June 17 1899.

The descent of the icebreaker 17.07.1899. Village Listvenichnoe

The descent of the icebreaker 17.07.1899. Village Listvenichnoe

The descent of the icebreaker 17.07.1899. Village Listvenichnoe

The descent of the icebreaker 17.07.1899. Village Listvenichnoe

The descent of the icebreaker 17.07.1899. Village Listvenichnoe

The descent of the icebreaker 17.07.1899. Village Listvenichnoe

The village of Larch on the day of the descent of the icebreaker on Lake Baikal

Prior to the commissioning of the Circum-Baikal road in the 1905 year, “Baikal” and later built “Angara” made two flights every day between the Baikal and Mysovaya piers.

Icebreaker "Baikal" at the station "Baikal"

Icebreakers summer pier

After that, the ferry operated as a backup, ensuring the uninterrupted passage of trains on the highway.

Icebreaker on the pier

Since the beginning of the civil war, the ferry was at the disposal of the Reds and was armed with guns and machine guns. After leaving Irkutsk in red, “Baikal” was assigned to the Mysovaya pier, where, after retreating from Irkutsk, the headquarters and rear institutions of the Reds were located.

Icebreaker "Baikal" in the ice of Lake Baikal

Icebreaker "Baikal" at the exit from the pier Tankhoy

Icebreaker "Baikal"

In August 1918, the icebreaker was shot by field artillery and burned at the Mysovaya pier.

Interior view of a burnt icebreaker

In the 1920 year, after the water was pumped out, the burnt hull of the vessel was towed to the port of Baikal, where it stood at least until 1926; after that was cut into metal. It is likely that the lower part of the hull is still at the bottom of the lake at the mouth of the Angara River. But the front propellers and part of the power plant are exactly preserved.

Icebreaker "Baikal"

Icebreaker "Baikal"

Icebreaker "Baikal"

Icebreaker "Baikal"

Icebreaker "Baikal" in the harbor on the shore of Lake Baikal

On Baikal

Comments

[Ilya 22]

That's what they fought, and most importantly with whom !! How many victims !!
How much he transported for all the time, as a result, they shot him, flooded and cut them ..

[vladimirZ]

... and later built "Angara" ... (from article)

And the icebreaker "Angara" has survived, now stands at the pier in Irkutsk, turned into a museum.

[avt]

Quote: vladimirZ

And the icebreaker "Angara" has survived, now stands at the pier in Irkutsk, turned into a museum.

Yeah !? Did not know . Well done! I remember it from the drawings "Modelist Constructor" in the days of the USSR.

[Papakiko]

Quote: avt

Did not know . Well done!

And then "Vasya" could not understand why in the town of Babushkin the lighthouse on the shore is still standing. I also heard about the railway on the ice of the lake that I knew more than a dozen carriages and several paravoz resting at the bottom of the lake even before the sinking of the MIRs.
Live and learn!
THANKS to the author!

[avt]

Cool selection of photos!

[Professor]

The article has a million pluses. Class !!! There would be more of these and less about "geopolitics".

[NOMADE]

Thank you author!
I liked the photos and a brief historical excursion.
It would be interesting to know his Tech.Har.

[shurup]

What I found briefly.
Displacement - 4200 t.
It is long - 88 m.
Three cars of 1250 hp
Crew up to 130 people.
I counted 25 cars on the diagram.
If it had survived and been restored, and on the go, then this is the dream of any tourist on Lake Baikal and a lot of money for the sponsor.

[Takashi]

super. very rare article. ++++ There would be an opportunity plus.

[svoi]

Angara is a beauty! In the 90s, diving from the nose. The water is cool and clean.

[Klim]

The shipyard workers are all in one in hats although judging by the photo is summer.

[invisibility]

Great photo! As if touching the past!