The Kommuna - Russia’s Bizarre 110 Year Old Warship

[@CalumRaasay]

UPDATE 21/04/34 - news coming from Sevastopol report that a Ukrainian strike has hit the Kommuna. Could this be the end of the old ship?

[@saltyboo]

I came to this video as soon as I heard the news. I don't think I can bear losing Kommuna and Mriya.

[@ryanhall1165]

Let's hope so! :)

[@99999bomb]

The ship had a good run, suffered the same fate as the mriya, rip

[@Am_Yeff]

She seems still afloat at least, whether the ruskis have the drydock capacity to fix whatever is wrong with her is another issue. Also, *24!

[@TheTweedler]

If so the thumbnail showing 1915-2024 may have proven to be eerily prophetic.

[@Kiyoone]

I don't know what is more impressive, the fact that they have this in use for over 100 years, or the fact that they already had the tech to build this kind of machines over 100 years ago.

[@DavidJohnson-hg1mz]

Or the fact that all the money to keep it operating all this time didn’t disappear because of corrupt politicians.

[@jaybee9269]

It does seem a remarkable design.

[@infernaldaedra]

@@DavidJohnson-hg1mz we need to stop placing blame squarely on politicians. It's politicians and oligarchs.

[@Nphen]

@@infernaldaedra You're right, of course. But we have to remember, in Russia, the oligarchs are also the politicians. My hypothesis is that American oligarchs brought the system back here after looting Russia and the former Soviet republics in the 1990's. A true popular democracy with human ownership is the remedy.

[@infernaldaedra]

@@Nphen In Russia yes they are often both, but in America Oligarchs just write the politicians and the celebrities checks and all the fools fall for the same tricks over and over.

[@__-fm5qv]

I love that despite her "weirdness" she still very much looks like an Edwardian era ship. The counter stern, the rudders poking out of the water line, the horizontal riveted layers of steel that make up the hulls, it all screams Edwardian. And to see it around today, still very much in active duty is lovely.

[@АлександрНечаев-й6в]

Until 2013, the Russian Baltic Fleet included a 1864 monitor "Strelets" class ship. True, since 1900 it has been used as a floating repair base. Now a museum is being built from it.

[@justasimplegamer129]

You can imagine the original crew of this ship seeing her still floating after 100 years since her birth.

[@AremStefaniaK]

i wish they would invent a zombie virus to keep the original crew alive too:) What wonderful drill instructors they would be. Like those undead pirates from that johnny depp movie

[@jaggerangel5564]

No. I cannot imagine.

[@timothy468]

Nah bruh they'd be like 120- 150 years old. I can't imagine it.

[@justasimplegamer129]

@@timothy468 if afterlife was a thing and the deceased are watching over the skies.

[@vulpes7079]

​@@AremStefaniaKwhat in the fuck

[@conservativemike3768]

Flexible utility = longevity. Brilliant design all around and historic benchmark of naval architecture.

[@Melody_Raventress]

Indeed, this is the "secret" to the ship's longevity. No other ship designed in the 1910s could be repurposed to the extent this one has been

[@commanderjameson2708]

A ship that only puts to sea in emergencies and in calm weather will have a long life because it will sustain little stress to its keel and hull.

[@tingleblade4274]

@@Melody_Raventress There's some kind of steel secret there... there are a lot of "paranormal" speculations on this topic in Russia, I don't want to talk about them, but still we must admit that steel is not just excellent, it is of the highest quality. There is definitely a secret to this There is an ancient column in India that does not rust, there is also no scientific theory, as if people don't care. It would seem that scientists should struggle with the mystery day and night

[@matthplays-2312]

​@commanderjameson2708 I know it hasn't been confirmed as "destroyed" but it was likely heavily damaged... soooo I guess we'll find out

[@mandarin1257]

Truly a remarkable ship! When she is eventually decommissioned, I really hope she will be preserved as a museum ship.

[@lundsweden]

Already a floating museum!

[@OmmerSyssel]

Russia already has a floating museum. They proudly present it as their glorious NAVY.. 🤷‍♂️🤣 The single aircraft carrier, they desperately fight keeping afloat, and never navigate without an assisting Tug(!), is a perfect example of their incapability. Kursk disaster and western(!) salvage another one..

[@M16_Akula-III]

@@OmmerSyssel The hell does that have to do with this?

[@johoreanperson8396]

@@M16_Akula-III War propaganda. Get used to it in this war time.

[@indyrock8148]

@@johoreanperson8396 not entirely war propaganda as it really is quite an accurate assessment of the Russian NAVY as exposed by the current conflict. At least it is if your from a country whom has maintained a modern navy...

[@SeanBZA]

That blue on the steel likely is an accident of the steel plant, as the steel likely was hot rolled, which does tend to leave an oxide film on the steel. Combine that with rollers that are somewhat worn, and thus leaking the lubricating oil used for the bearings, onto the roller surface, and probably contamination by coal dust from the blast furnace, and the annealing furnaces running fuel rich, you have the ideal conditions to surface treat the steel with a resistant coat of blue oxide, nicely impressed into the surface, and also bonding well, due to the oil, with the first coats of oil based paints applied. Russian steel historically had very variable quality, and hot rolled was all too common, with none of the pickling and descaling the Western manufacturers used to control the oxide film, they just rolled it into the steel, and the thickness for this probably was close to a sweet spot for oxide formation, but not so thick that the oxide layer got rolled deep into the steel, which has been a problem for the thinner steel grades. Then it will provide long protection, and with likely poor removal during retrofits you got the original oxide layer still being present a century later, along with the original lead based paint. Also a crew who spent an inordinate amount of time on the ship, and with little to do otherwise, other than keep surfaces clean, and keep on applying layer upon layer of lead and copper based paints both above and below the water, along with no major flex of the hull in rough sea to create small cracks in the paint layer.

[@CalumRaasay]

Very well said! What a great comment and such a great insight, thanks for sharing. But yeah I think the value of a crew tied up for long periods of time at dock + lead paint + the real lack of long, strenous trips to sea is the real combo for survival.

[@aserta]

@@CalumRaasay Battleship New Jersey, the channel, has a recent video on the sinking of a fellow museum ship and what happens to ships, and where they start to rot. It's in the last videos, worth following the channel and watching the videos, the curator is well read on the subject matter.

[@CalumRaasay]

Love their videos! I actually reached out for a quote from them relating to the Kommuna but they never replied 😭

[@widescreennavel]

That figures! Accidentally, they made a good ship!! ROFL

[@widescreennavel]

@@PaulRudd1941 Hey, if the enemy has been falsely made to appear so massive in our military propaganda, maybe we CAN afford both defense and health care lol

[@Alex-cw3rz]

I find it funny that delays 100 years ago would be 3 years later than thought, including a war starting and new technologies have to be manufactured for the first time. Whereas delays now, with no new tech or war, would mean an extra decade on build time, tripling of the budget and then canceling the project just after some bonuses are handed out to the companies top brass for getting so much money from the government and some promised back handers to the government officials as well.

[@CalumRaasay]

Haha I know right, three years to build what was essentially a ship of a class and type that had never really existed before is pretty incredible. That said the builders did get help from the Germans with their experience on the Vulkan (and the couple of other Submarine tenders they built).

[@Iamthelolrus]

Big difference between then and now is they ended up building and being able to use the ship, I'm looking at you American LCS...

[@LN997-i8x]

Just look at the moneypit that is the Canadian shipbuilding program. Our unit costs are always mysteriously 6-10x that of our allies...

[@jacksmith7726]

Look at long it takes them to construction buildings these day compared with the time of empire state building

[@tomtexas4897]

@@jacksmith7726 its all the red tape. To simply cut rebar you need a risk assessment that takes longer to do then the actual work

[@vipondiu]

The amount of work and research this guy puts into his channel deserve a medal or something. Never change Calum, keep doing what you are doing

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks dude that really means a lot! This was an exceptionally long project even for me!

[@vipondiu]

@@CalumRaasay And it shows....

[@WouterWeggelaar]

More than three quarters of an hour worth of well researched video...what a treat!

[@CalumRaasay]

Haha every video I make I swear it'll be shorter... it never is! 😭

[@kiiiisu]

@@CalumRaasay we like long videos!

[@WouterWeggelaar]

@@kiiiisu agreed. Long = good as long as the info is good. Which it totally is!

[@paulhaynes8045]

@@CalumRaasay It's the content that matters, no the length. Have a look at this guy (assuming you aren't already a fan): kzbin.info/door/C3ehuUksTyQ7bbjGntmx3Qfeatured - mostly long videos (sometimes over an hour!), and he only uses static Power Point screens and talks over them (breaks every possible YT video rule!), but the content and analysis is second to none.

[@CalumRaasay]

@@paulhaynes8045 Love his work!

[@RichyArg]

That hull design seems incredibly innovative for a 100 years ago!

[@alexturnbackthearmy1907]

And germans again build something similar first. Its a tradition at this point.

[@igorlitvinov2607]

design is based on German rescue vessel called "Volcano"

[@igorlitvinov2607]

@@user28sdfg8 so this is no russian, that is what. Чуешь, ботяра, раха все украла

[@astartes3280]

А у тебя кто мозги украл? Сомневаюсь, что Россия 🤣🤣🤣

[@agnyr]

ARA General Belgrano was (after all the upgrades) 13 645 t full displacement, Moskva just 11,490 tons full load (after completition?). That makes her not a biggest ship lost in action since WWII, just a biggest ship lost since Falkland War.

[@CalumRaasay]

Huh, I must have read the wrong stats! Thought see weighed more. Well spotted.

[@Aviator_za]

@@CalumRaasay Just for interest sake. The Belgrano was 9,575 tons (empty) and a total length of 608.3 ft (185.4 m). The Moskva, she was 9,380 tons and her length was 186.4 m (611 ft 7 in). So while the Belgrano was heavier the Moskva was longer. It will depend on what you classify as biggest. I believe a lot of news outlets have been using her length not weight. I'm not expert at all but its just interesting how similar in size the really were. If someone can advise on what is the correct justification for what we consider larger or small in this context ( WW2 light cruiser vs guided missile cruiser )

[@kristianxoto]

@@Aviator_za you should use displacement as size. because fx Gorshkov frigates are almost as long asd the slava class they are only half the weight

[@glennchartrand5411]

I was going to point out the Russian ship was longer , but someone already did. But yeah, displacement is what a ships size is

[@johnbeauvais3159]

@@glennchartrand5411 If memory serves something to this effect was why they made the Titanic like 6” shorter than the Olympic but it had more displacement so one was the “Longest ship in the world” and the other was the largest, albeit briefly.

[@bigdaddygaming6222]

this just goes to show that with love and care, anything can last more then 100 years. although the bluing of the steel was helpful in keeping corrosion down, it was her crews dedication to keeping her afloat that kept her going and still going for so long. The very first crew would be very proud to ser her still going strong long after their time together. great story Calum, i really enjoy your docu's.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you!

[@marhawkman303]

probably doesn't hurt that she's equipped for doing maintenance on other vessels, and her crew can use those tools to repair her. Prompt minor maintenance can prevent major maintenance later.

[@nobullshit9721]

@@marhawkman303this makes the most sense

[@ArheIy]

Just imagine: this ship has seen the 2 world wars, the cold war and countless independent R&S operations. It outlived its own crew at least a few times. It has gone from the era of battleships and diesel submarines to the era of digital warfare and nuclear-powered vessels. And it's still in service. Remarkable ship and damn impressive engineering, considering the timing...

[@AllHailTheBobSemple]

It’s just one of the examples of a nation unable to build new stuff and innovate

[@M16_Akula-III]

@@AllHailTheBobSemple What..? If it ain't broken why replace it?

[@ArheIy]

​@@AllHailTheBobSemplethis is a R&S ship, which means that it doesn't need to be on the cutting edge of technology to do its job, so I don't see why it shouldn't be used now. Moreover, I don't see why more countries don't use old ships that can perfectly do their job, considering that building the new ones takes a sh*t ton of money *from the taxpayers' wallets.* It works, so it stays.

[@matthplays-2312]

​@Gregor_Arhely becuase historic ships like this should've been turned into museum ships, rather than being used for military purposes....

[@TheRandompaint]

​@@matthplays-2312it's currently on fire my guy

[@ΒασίληςΒλάχος-τ3κ]

Exactly as you said, HMS victory and USS constitution may technically be the oldest operational warships, but they are essentially only ceremonial and museum ships, no one is going to be throwing them in combat. Thus, it's pretty fair to give the title to the kommuna

[@orjansand6431]

Amasing

[@darkmatterhafnium1522]

this is honestly just really cool. Only about 13 minutes in, but listening to its first rescue, still during the Russian revolution, only to know that this ship is ‘alive’ and may be out there in this very moment in operation is honestly fascinating. I hope when it is eventually retired, it won’t be scrapped or anything.

[@therealiroquoisball]

Me too, I hope it isn't sunk either.

[@foo-foocuddlypoops5694]

Only found out she existed a few weeks back and my mind is still kinda blown. Can’t wait to get stuck into this video :D

[@CalumRaasay]

Yeah amazing how relevant this topic suddenly became!

[@an_f-14_tomcat]

Yo hi Foof

[@lundsweden]

This ship is IMO cool af! What a creative and innovative design from 1915!

[@CalumRaasay]

Very much so!

[@format2000channel]

I live in the city of Severodvinsk in Russia, we have the steamer "N.V. Gogol" which has been in operation since 1911. Now he is still on the move, taking walks along the Northern Dvina River

[@CalumRaasay]

Check out Ground News! ground.news/calum Support me on patreon: patreon.com/calumraasay Join our discord! discord.gg/BPahz6vHJd I started making this video before the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, so there might be lot more to the story of the Kommuna in the months to come, especially based on the amount of current activity in the Black Sea...

[@KK-xz4rk]

Great video and fitting subject. For many watchers it might be a bit messy to understand the ship placements and movements without map and animation. Sometimes it was added but sometimes one or both were missing when ship movement was mentioned. Because history happened many location names changed also places had different names in many languages. In video you use time correct names for cities but for clarity maybe choose one and use it through video (with asterisk and clarification on screen maybe). Also when translating from cyrillic alphabet many names will have differences between different translations because every letter cannot be translated or there are multiple ways to do it. Reval, Revel and Tallinn is same city but written differently on different countries maps on different ages. But when you just listen to video it seems like ship traveled between many ports.

[@CalumRaasay]

@@KK-xz4rk Good point!

[@Alexlfm]

Minor issue, but you repeat the same line at 36:02. Another great topic choice that I’d never heard or.

[@KK-xz4rk]

Looking at the map you used i remembered a old story about Scottish history. Right from Reval is place named Wesenberg (Rakvere today) 1574 Sweden besieged that castle held by Russians. Sweden used a lot of mercenaries in their army. 17.th of march there was a quarrel between German mercenaries and Scottish mercenaries. It grew into battle between nations and about 1500 scotts were slaughtered on that day there.

[@CalumRaasay]

@@criticalevent great question! they were actually returned to the U.K. and it was one of the early diplomatic connections created between Britain and the Soviets following the civil war!

[@Jonathan.D]

I'm impressed with whoever had to captain this vessel. Operating a large ship was hard enough back then. They didn't have electronic navigation and only used rudimentary charts. This vessel is much more difficult to operate due to its basic propulsion system. It only has two props to maneuver with. The only positive aspect of this vessel is the increased stability due to it being a catamaran. My dad worked in heavy marine recovery and salvage. The tugs and other recovery vessels he captained had bow thrusters to help keep position. Newer models have azimuth pods, thrusters, and GPS navigation to hold the vessel on target. Holding in place long enough to recover a sub must have been a nerve racking experience to say the least. They had to deal with heavy seas and the constantly changing directions of both the wind and the tide. Even with modern equipment, there's more to it than just setting position.

[@Chris-ut6eq]

Started watching and suspected that I would not finish this long video on a single ship, but before I knew it the full 48minutes were gone and it ended. Very engaging and professional quality documentary video. Your videos are all so good!

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you Chris, much appreciated!

[@kreslokkd]

21:54 I lived in this city my whole life and i love seeing photos and maps like this, because you can see the city almost untouched and all the quaters full without any gaps. For now if you visit the city center you can easyly find gaps between the houses or modern houses, parks, schools in between old buildings just because many buildings were destroyed during the great patriotic war. And those "ornaments" of city buildings are not so clear and sometimes nonexitent, because some districts were damaged so heavily that it was just easier to destroy them completely and build something different than rebuild it.

[@vincentas1]

​@kurtmabyc crying pole, sad really

[@toomaskotkas4467]

@kurtmabyc Typical polak doesn't know that 1939 follows by 1941, not the other way around. Also, do they teach in your schools how Poland, Nazi Germany and Hungary attacked and divided Czechoslovakia in 1938?

[@mrobocop1666]

@kurtmabyc Poland was called "hyena of Europe" back then, it was scolding with all it's neighbours, intriguing and aggressive troublemaker, had bad relationships with all, attacked Czechoslovakia in 1938 together with Hitler. So even when Hitler attacked Poland in 1939, it's allies France and Britain didn't really interfere and gladly watched it being destroyed and conquered. Soviet Red army came when Polish government already fled and took back Western Ukraine and Belarus captured by Poland in 1920 to move the border further from Moscow as preparation for the inevitable war with Germany

[@HunterShows]

Our grandparents were fools.

[@toomaskotkas4467]

@@HunterShows Correction: your grandparents

[@Island_Line_Rail_Productions]

Beautiful ship. Hope she lives on for another 100 years or it destined to be a museum ship when her time is up. If the Lake freighters can become museum ships, no reason this one can’t

[@TheRandompaint]

This didn't age well😂

[@testiclegaming1250]

@@TheRandompaint Well, it hasnt sunk so yes it will live on for another 100?

[@billbaker3565]

A fascinating story. I never realized catamaran hulls were utilized in the era of her launch. Thanks.

[@marhawkman303]

yeah, it's never been common, but the idea has been around for centuries.

[@kolby4078]

Look up ancient polynesian boats from a few thousand years ago.

[@mx5_enigma308]

One of the most under rated youtube channels out here. Thanks so much for the research and amazing content!

[@CalumRaasay]

Wow, thank you! Really appreciate that.

[@wolf2403]

Seconded, love the content and really interesting!

[@Renee_R343]

Only found this channel, through the rescue buoys video, a few days ago. I was convinced It was some huge channel with a professional production crew and 5 or 6 million subscribers. I was shocked to find He has less than 160K subscribers. That can't be true, surely the count should be in the millions. This is what Discovery and History channels used to be 20 years ago (and what they should be now), only with a better story telling. Absolutely captivating.

[@SondreoftheNorth]

Update a month later. The kommuna is still in service! Which is really good. It’s an awesome ship, way ahead of its time.

[@LemmyCaution66]

An amazing video about a ship I never heard of. The video was so well researched and produced that I watched it twice. Thank you for this awesome history lesson. Greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! I was in Belgium last year, absolutely can’t wait to get back!

[@DimestoreLiam]

Nice! Well done, sir! Although I am much more oriented towards land warfare and air war, I've been reading military history for more than 40 years and own several books on the history of naval warfare (at least one specifically about the Imperial Russian & Soviet navies)- but I had never even heard of this ship until I watched your fascinating video. What an amazing story; once again, well done!!!

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! I like finding the more obscure stuff!

[@dudleyhewett7211]

The choice of subject matter, extent of research and quality of content on this channel are absolutely 1st class! I watch lots of videos about historical machinery but none are as good as these. I also find Callum’s voice soothing and relaxing in the extreme. If he made an audio book about paint drying I would absolutely listen to it.

[@ich1978]

A grand and graceful old lady, she outlast the empire that built her, she outlast the Union that adopted her. Thank you had a much better understanding of “commune” and her distinctive service. The crew that runs her must have took pains to truly care and treasure her. She belong to an era where things were built to last, very much different from the one we live. We jus prefer to throw away and get a new better one. I truly hope when it’s time for her to retire, she will be turn to a museum.

[@TheRandompaint]

Ukraine decided she was fit for an early and hot retirement 😂

[@MrAnton275]

I have been thinking about this ship for a few days now, finding it amazing how long she has served, and I am really glad I found your video! Amazing work!

[@CalumRaasay]

Fortunate timing!

[@MrAnton275]

@@CalumRaasay Indeed, couldnt be better!

[@Студент-й9ы]

Я работал на Коммуне некоторое время. Старушка ещё сильна и способна на многое!

[@vladvulcan]

ого, неожиданный коммент)

[@mikeperth8027]

Mate, this is an absolutely awesome documentary about a vessel I had never heard of before. I love your work Calum, you really know how to dig up some interesting subject, research and present them in an awesome package!

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you Mike, these kind of comments are much appreciated!

[@davidbarrass]

HMS Warrior also has largely intact hull, and that's 161 years old (first sailed in 1861). Obviously it's not in service and it's been heavily restored but the iron hull shows that iron can survive in the sea, even with minimal maintenance.

[@cpt.mirones5109]

its not allways sea water that destroys iron hulled ships but rather condensation internally. while today fibreglass or composit yachts have to deal with mold from lack of ventilation, iron hulled ships and boats almost allways get eaten up by rust from inside to outside.

[@OmmerSyssel]

@@cpt.mirones5109 Important knowledge! Sufficient ventilation is mandatory! Seen well polished and perfect maintained Yachts severely suffering from mold, and every single screw, rib, equipment and whatever were eaten by rust and corrosion.. Saddening to realise lifelong care and love (for polishing..) were ready for the junkyard, because of ignoring that simple and cheap precaution. One was even in lifelong possession of engineers (!)

[@johnsnow1355]

@@cpt.mirones5109 maybe that's it's secret it's never been abandoned it's been in continuous service with a crew for its entirety service never left to decay without a crew.

[@МихаилГорев-я4х]

А он тоже в строю? Нет А Коммуна - в полном рабочем состоянии.

[@gherkinisgreat]

@@МихаилГорев-я4х Yeah, because the Royal Navy hasn't been bankrupt for most of it's existence unlike the russian navy.

[@markzieg3593]

Excellent documentary of this fascinating piece of naval history. Because of the Kursk tragedy, I’d always assumed that the Russian navy was lax about safety and crew recovery, yet your research indicates they were ahead of peer navies of the times. Astonishing.

[@vadikgg4537]

Прочитай еще про спасательные субмарины проекта 940, которые в момент гибели "Курска" уже готовились к утилизации. Впрочем, даже их применение вряд ли бы помогло, поскольку спасательные аппараты флота много раз спускались к подводной лодке, но не смогли присосаться к люку из-за повреждения стыковочной площадки.

[@Nphen]

The fact that the Soviets not only *raised a sunken British sub from the seafloor* they then *returned it to service for decades thereafter* should tell us all we need to know about the cunning & resourceful nature of that former nation. Amazing history, not even halfway through and I've learned so much!

[@subtlewhatssubtle]

The Kommuna is such an allegory. A quiet, hardworking, vessel providing often thankless service to three different regimes. Propping up the incompetent and unprepared. Rescuing those who fall victim to the aforementioned lack of competence or preparation. Giving some measure of hope to the people who see her still performing her tasks.

[@TheRandompaint]

And is currently on fire

[@williambrasky3891]

You will never convince me that hull wasn't taken plate by plate from the mill, dragged deep into a Belarusian swamp where the drunkest possible Russians managed to triumph against gravity & lodge each giant slab deep in the healing muck. Years later the children of those same plastered kings, now adults and quite tipsy themselves arduously excavated every bolt and rivet from that swamp and assembled their legacy. What a glorious legacy it is, indeed!

[@MonkeyJedi99]

You narrated a bizarre and entertaining scene!

[@dylanwight5764]

This was a journey to read. I hope you're happy because I sure am!

[@TheTruthKiwi]

Whatever happened there was no doubt copious amounts of Vodka involved :p

[@mandowarrior123]

Its very obvious why it survived so long- professional dive team, and full time repair specialists. They have no other duties to supercede maintenance, and their jobs are based on their performances.

[@glennselwitz1377]

Your hard work is very much appreciated..so well edited with fantastic facts and visuals and as always a highly interesting subject ...this channel is growing for good reason Calum...

[@reticenti6365]

That was a very cool story. The queen of the Russian navy. What a glorious history for a ship.

[@koomaj]

Kommuna has served on waters with less salinity than oceans, so that is also definitely one reason it hasn't rusted so badly.

[@ReiMonCoH]

I met the then captain of the Constitution a few years back. The funny part is, it’s not just a “commissioned” ship… it comes complete with its own “base” as well as its sailors and, interesting enough, a company of Marines. As well as cannon balls and all that. Oh yes, her cannons work just fine. And the captain made it Perfectly Clear… if needs be, he will load up those sailors and Marines and cannon balls and go to war.

[@Adamu98]

Gotta love the us navy.

[@razor1uk610]

@@Adamu98 Indeed ! ...butt I feel once loaded up with cannonballs, akin to sphincters, & Benoit-balls, time for pending up towards a depressurisation..., things could go messily PooBAR _-FUBAR-_ *!!* 😜😋😉🤔🙄🤪

[@moobaz8675]

I really enjoyed that. It shows how good the design was and that someone had the vision to commission this ship. I wonder what they’d think now if they could see her?

[@dingdong2103]

Russian warships have a reputation of being verm infested, stinky and filthy inside just after 10-20 years of use. Imagine the aroma of 100 years of use...

[@hunterbear2421]

@@dingdong2103 well, it's most likey the best smelling ship it did sit for most of the time and it must have gotton cleaned alot. surpised that piano is still their tho from 1914, knock on wood it last another hundred.

[@TheRandompaint]

Currently on fire

[@MrMediator24]

Incredible long living ship. Saw it almost every day when I went to university

[@tomriley5790]

Pretty impressive that she's still operational after all this time! Most ships are worn out long before!

[@OmmerSyssel]

Most vessels aren't taking out of service while they are outworn. Its simply not lucrative modernising such complicated constructions to follow modern improved standards. Only a deeply corrupt, inhumane and inefficient system as Russia is dominated of, will take such irrational decisions. As experienced sailor I can assure you that, You would hate every single hour being forced to work and live under such outdated circumstances. You don't enjoy bumping around in a Ford T or Willy's Jeep, never mind how well polished it may be ...

[@tomriley5790]

@@OmmerSyssel Yes I can't imagine a ship built 100 years ago has all mod cons. That said she does look like a fairly unique design and they've clearly modernised her repeatedly. Plus looking at western navies it doesnt seem that unusual for ships to be kept in service far beyond their original design lives whilst replacements are argued about/delayed etc.

[@OmmerSyssel]

@@tomriley5790? As told, a vessel has to comply with modern standards. Russia has a long tradition of painting their outworn rust buckets to blind naive land lubbers. Apparently that fake still serves its purpose ... 🤷🏼

[@dylanwight5764]

@@OmmerSyssel That, or you can't keep a good ship down. One sailor to another, you know damn well how much we adore our ships, especially those which have outlived many who crewed her. I have twelve years sea time over a two decade career and have never crewed a ship younger than me. Kommuna may be old but we all know she's still in her prime.

[@OmmerSyssel]

@@dylanwight5764 Ohøj mate. Sorry, but I don't like to work and live under mediocre circumstances.. I fancy traditional Yachts and owned two. That's something else than professional crossing the Atlantic or tumbling the Baltic sea in an old Tug... ⚓🇩🇰✌🏻

[@behindthespotlight7983]

There is a mostly submerged octagonal fishing pier at the Naval Air Station Alameda. It sits mere yards from the museum ship Hornet. A WW2-Vietnam Era carrier. To add just a touch more charm, the wreckage of piers and planks are slowly disintegrating in what was the Seaplane Lagoon (during the base’s active years) and it was called The Cove. It was a place where Navy dads, perhaps a little short on time, could “take their kids fishing” on short leave or even a lunch hour. Anyhow it was an early 1980’s trip to The Cove with my grandfather (a WW2 combat veteran) when I looked up at “this weird ship” with truss and scaffolding serving as the predominant superstructure and asked papa what it was. “Oh. That’s a salvage ship” he replied. For the next 10 years I carried an addled idea that on that vessel lived a bunch of the type of men I saw in pre-Home Depot hardware stores: men carrying old doors around, prying molding from farmhouse walls; you know, “salvaging.” And it always puzzled me why men in the Navy had their own ship for that when everything I’d ever seen on naval vessels was made of heavy gray steel. I caught a crab on that pier. And papa fell through a deteriorating plank up to his hip. It seems The Cove, itself, was already being salvaged…by the Seaplane Lagoon. Even then. How fast the decades sail. For men, machines and weapons of warfare. Great video👍🏼 Outstanding.

[@camillitech1]

Nice work Calum all new to me, very interesting. Ever considered doing one on the Russian cruiser Varyag. To my knowledge the only ship to ever serve in the Russian Imperial navy, Japanese Imperial navy and Royal navy. Finally coming to grief off Scotland in 1922 after being sold to a German scrap metal company. She fought so heroically during the Russo Japanese war that her commander was given a medal by the Japanese!!!!!

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks Paul! Funnily enough I'd heard the story (maybe off your blog?) but I didn't realise it had such a storied history. Need to add that to the list - currently obsessed with the search for Soviet Gold on the HMS Edinburgh and Arctic Convoys in general, so that might be an upcoming video!

[@camillitech1]

@@CalumRaasay Aye Calum I'm sure you already have them but I've got Salvage of the Century by Ric Wharton, Goldfinder by Keith Jessop and Stalin's gold by Barrie Penrose. Three books all about it that give three very different perspectives on the operation. I worked for years with one of the divers on the job and he some great stories about it. My favourite being when they Superglued the strong room door lock so Ivan could not unlock it :-) Charlie Gillies' dad or grandad was one of the radio operators aboard Edinburgh. Don't suppose you ever saw it but perhaps your did. MV Stephaniturm once visited Kyle in the late nineties, wish I'd taken pictures :-(

[@CalumRaasay]

Are the chapters working for you guys? Not showing up on my end 🙄

[@DELTA3551]

Yup all working fine :)

[@paveloleynikov4715]

They shows

[@SorryUserNameSucks]

Fine for me too

[@foo-foocuddlypoops5694]

Working on my end

[@andrewthomson]

All good here

[@bisonbro7]

I've heard from russian colleagues that exact manufacturing process of the steel used to build her is lost to time, and they still haven't managed to rediscover it.

[@rickyquinteros7100]

You know it’s old when the main hull looks like the titanic from the side

[@TotalRookie_LV]

7:36 - Oh, my hometown Riga?! I looked up, seems like "Felzer & Ko." factory used to be here: 56.965780, 24.154319 But after WWII there was a textile manufacture "Rīgas adītājs" built. Now there is another "Felzer" on Brīvības 201, not so far away actually, but it's a different company producing air conditioning and heating equipment.

[@ЮрийКастро-м5в]

Sveiki, I am also from Riga, and yes Felzer was a second best diesel engine manufacturer in Russia after Nobel (Ludwig Nobel), and Riga was the third biggest industrial center of Russian empire.

[@TheBillzilla]

This is one of the most interesting and best videos I've seen here on YT. Many thanks for putting in the huge effort to make it.

[@CalumRaasay]

Wow, thank you Bill. Appreciate that

[@FusionAero]

The commissioning of a submarine rescue/recovery vessel before actually building a submarine fleet really speaks to the Russian "Hope for the best, expect the worst." axiom. The fact that she has served so long and well is testament to the truth in that grim and pragmatic outlook.

[@CalumRaasay]

Well they did already have subs, but the fleet was still in its infancy. However important to remember she was also meant ot function essentially as a floating mothership, so she could resupply, refuel and recover subs if needed.

[@FusionAero]

@@CalumRaasay Tenders have been built for subs, destroyers, and flying boats, all of which are minimalist vessels that can't persist in open ocean without support, they are usually of very conventional design. A catamaran built around a boom crane, optimized for deepwater rescue, is much more radical and forward-thinking because although what goes up must come down, what goes down doesn't always come back up.

[@barefootalien]

Incredible! You find the most fascinating and obscure things to cover, but as with each of your videos I've seen so far, I'm really glad to know about the Волков/Комуна!

[@nicolek4076]

Drop everything and tune in! It's another meticulously-researched video from Calum!

[@CalumRaasay]

Hahaha appreciate it!

[@nicolek4076]

@@CalumRaasay I was only half joking.

[@r2gelfand]

Can you imagine what the list of captains and crew would look like! Bet they had some interesting reunions over the years!

[@JasonSmith-qb4wz]

Very interesting and well researched article on a far sighted operational ship.

[@unknown-ql1fk]

Dude keep it up, i just found your channel and love it....you have way more detail and not political and i love it than many "documentary" channels. Love it

[@davidcadman4468]

The speed with which the port of Mariupol was cleared of ships sunk to obstruct the port, would seem to indicate that a salvage vessel was employed. Not saying it was the Kommuna, but being so close it wouldn't surprise. Thanks for the great video.

[@marksalakhly580]

I being myself from mariupol may say that communa wouldn't do the work as there are multiple sand banks sorrounding the ports far water and most ships that were there at the time of the battle stayed afloat the ones that sank were easily taken out afterwards

[@RKidd-ex3rh]

Commissioned the same year as the USS Texas (BB-35) which is also still afloat. Not in service yes but still here. She actually just went into drydock a few days ago for the first time in decades. Really says something about build quality of that era.

[@CalumRaasay]

I’d love to for it the Texas, I’ve been following her progress closely!

[@raymondfranklin100]

This is the 2nd video of yours that I’ve watched, both today. I’m so impressed by the quality of your research and video. Thank you!

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you for watching!

[@jaybee9269]

I really enjoy your deep dives, Calum! (As for the ship, sometimes designers just get it right!)

[@Am_Yeff]

RIP, either straight up gone or heavily damaged by a Neptune

[@elzabethtatcher9570]

Thank you very much for your good work. Its very nice to see people explore Communa!

[@CChapin831]

Another very fine documentary, sir, quite fascinating. Fully up to the high standards you've set with earlier works. Thank you for doing this.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks for watchin Chip, appreciate that!

[@KevinMartin314]

Thisnis the first video of yours ive seen and you definitely earned a sub. Incredible work.

[@daminox]

I've been on youtube since the 2000s and you're one of the few channels i get genuinely excited for when I see a new vid!

[@Jafi9]

Ukrainian sources claimed, on 21 April 2024, that they had damaged the ship with a Neptune missile, while it was docked in Sevastopol. Russia had removed most of the ships from the Black Sea, out of range, and it was one of the few still remaining. 🔥

[@TacoSallust]

This video was amazing! It blew my mind, I had never heard anything about this ship until this video. You earned a sub!

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! Much appreciated

[@infernaldaedra]

Imagine leaving the hatch open on a submarine that's brutal.

[@CalumRaasay]

Hell of a way to go.

[@jerryle379]

India sub crew made same mistake a few years ago 😬

[@alihasanabdullah7586]

The secret to the Kommuna's longevity is actually its specialized role. Kommuna had the double good fortune of having a back-line, very specialized role during combat, and being able to change into a deep sea research vessel (Another back-line, specialized role) when her first role was no longer necessary.

[@someasiandude4797]

the funnist part about this is that it doesnt look out of place or outdated at all in the Russian fleet

[@Xilley1]

it looks very much out of place, she has a hull design that stopped being made in the 1930s, so this comment makes zero sense.

[@firebomb13b]

The USS Constitution is the only currently active US Navy ship that has a kill count.

[@mystikmind2005]

The Kommuna is like an ancient kitchen tool like a can opener that you find at a flea market... it might be very old, but it does the job... although the ancient can opener is pretty much guaranteed to do the job better than any of the plethora of fancy looking modern USELESS GARBAGE can openers, none of which, actually work properly at all.... the concept of a can opener that actually works seemingly being beyond the grasp of modern technology, so we just gave up entirely and switched to ring pull.

[@200degrees]

I really enjoy watching your videos right after they launch cause it's fun to guess how many millions they'll get in a couple months aha Great video again! Fascinating that it's still floating and it's superbly in depth! I also just picked up a mini-trac mug from your store that showed up a couple weeks ago, great for a mornign cup of coffee!

[@CalumRaasay]

Oh wow, I don’t know anyone that has any of my merch! That’s fantastic I’m using it right now for my coffee too!

[@crying2emoji5]

I do think it’s kinda funny that people are so unaccustomed to machines getting the proper maintenance and care they need that the fact this ship has lasted as long as it has causes people to start coming up with strange theories on how she was originally built lol. Imagine how much longer everything we build would last if it was properly looked after.

[@15DEAN1995]

I'd guess the reason this ship has stayed in great condition is because people cared about it and looked after it. There's no secret people cared for this ship.

[@andreasheld2362]

Hi Calum, again you managed to present a topic I knew nothing about in an interesting and visually perfect way. So, thank you. Again. 🙂

[@CalumRaasay]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching Andreas.

[@АндрейСерединский-ю4э]

Интересное видео. Хоть судно прошло несколько раз модернизацию и сейчас оборудовано даже подводным роботом, такой срок службы судна поражает. Есть ли другие корабли, которые служат так долго в других странах?

[@ЮраСидоров-т4э]

На сколько я знаю - нет. Есть только разные "парадные" корабли, типо Миссури или какого то британского парусника.

[@franciscosansalone]

Both Argentina and Brazil use ships from the 1930s and 40s as river monitors (Argentina: ARA King commissioned in 1946, and Brazil U-17 Parnaíba commissioned in 1938)

[@ijulesy]

Another really intersting video! I love these long-form documantary style videos you make, keep up the great work!

[@CalumRaasay]

Glad you like them!

[@qubex]

Finally I understand why the Miranda class stayed in service for over a century! It’s the unified bow and low slung catamaran design! :)

[@BensWorkshop]

On the issue of the Komuna's longevity, I don't know how gunsmiths blue steel, but I do it by heating the steel red hot and dunking it in oil. The ship is made of rivited plate which was probably have been hot rolled. If so just cooling it this way would have blued it (In one of my videos I blue a bolt I made for hedge clippers). However, the Komuna has always had a maintenance crew working on it as it is what it does. Well done to the modeller, they 3 D model is fantastic.

[@BensWorkshop]

Forgot to add, many ships have zinc sacrificial anodes which reduces salt water corrosion below the water line though not above it.

[@pilotman012]

Nice job. I learned a lot and appreciate the effort you put into all your videos. I half assumed you might've mentioned the Glomar Explorer considering the type of ships.

[@CalumRaasay]

Great point! Completely slipped my mind actually. Maybe a video for another day!

[@pilotman012]

@@CalumRaasay That would be epic. With your attention to detail I wonder what you'd uncover. I'll patreon this week.

[@cursedcliff7562]

The ship being older than any of the crewmembers onboard is some warhammer 40k shit

[@widescreennavel]

This is amazing work! Great job. So much info. Thank you. You should do a "deep dive" like this on the Glomar Explorer.

[@CalumRaasay]

That would be a fun one!

[@widescreennavel]

@@CalumRaasay I was working on Catalina Island when the ship tested its huge submersible device...I was in my small outboard powered skiff. It looked like a Japanese monster movie, the giant bubbles coming from deep in the ocean. The deckhands brandished automatic rifles when I got too close. They told us they were "harvesting manganese nodules" and we believed them! Peace.

[@CalumRaasay]

What an amazing story! You witnessed a fascinating piece of history

[@SteamCrane]

A few years ago, I got aboard a steam powered Great Lakes Freighter, the Medusa Challenger, built in 1905, 10 years older than Kommuna, still in full time cargo service. She's since had the steam engine removed and converted to a notched barge, pushed by a large tug, but still hard at work carrying powdered cement. She went through many owners and name changes, and replacement of her original steam engine with a newer one, then a tug, but still going. Fresh water makes a difference to longevity, and the Kommuna may have had a similar circumstance by spending most of her time in harbor.

[@CalumRaasay]

Wow, I had no idea about the Medusa Challenger. I knew there was a fair few older boats still in service around the world but must have missed her. I'd love to visit one day!

[@SteamCrane]

I need to add that the research you put into this video is awesome. Even if some new information turns up, this presentation still stands.

[@randalhansen9039]

Great and fascinating story of a now ancient ship! Thank you for your work in bringing this to light.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you Randal!

[@danielforeroc]

Russian Imperial engineering is very underrated: 1st Modern harvester 1st Electrified rails and trams 1st Bomber airplane

[@diclo383]

First bomber was the Caproni ca 30, italian, along with the btits... First combine harvester was American, Hiram Moore, and many others before him for different stages from USA or Britain... First electrified line was in Germany, Berlin, Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway.... What you talking about, man???

[@raxsavvage]

whatever happens, that thing better get turned into a museum ship, scrapping would feel wrong

[@TheRandompaint]

Ukraine said no yesterday 😂

[@RandomRetr0]

Extremely well done. Your dedication to research really shows!

[@rogerphillips450]

A rare mix of fact and and hope this vessel can survive! Thank you.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks for watching Roger!

[@dirkkarmel5209]

An increadible ship ! Design of ship itself, surpasses most of today's aircraft carriers. It's only true restrictions, are Age & Submarine Sizes. ********** -- Easily converted to better fuels. -- Easily converted to salvage different designs. -- Few/no blind spots. (Compare to average carrier, at 75% blind ! ) -- Current speeds, unknown. Could compare to jet planes. -- Has NO potential structure liabilities. ( Dispose of flight deck, or sink ? )

[@macgriggs9350]

My favorite cold war map. Combined arms was so much fun.

[@toddr1124]

Very informative and well researched video! You always put an amazing amount of effort into your videos, but this one was particularly impressive. Really cool to see how the history ties right into modern events and will carry on beyond. Thank you for bringing us this content! Subbed!

[@OffendedFoxCh]

Holy shiettt so that means The Kommuna were afloat on the same ocean as all the legendary ships Bismarck, yamato, etc at the time damnn~

[@CocoHutzpah]

If the Kommuna is ever decommissioned, the navy needs to make her a museum ship next to the Aurora.