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RUSSIAN NAVY
DAY - BLACK SEA FLEET
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In 1992 and 1993 I organized groups
of military historians and officers for special tours in Russia and Ukraine
hosted by those countries military. In 1992 we were privileged to be guests of
the Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to attend Russian Navy Day in
Sevastopol and were the first foreigners allowed to stay overnight in the city.
In fact we lodged as a guest facility of the Russian Navy. We were invited
again in summer 1993. On both occasions we also had extensive guided tours of
southern Crimea to visit the battlefields at the Alma and Balaklava (including
the port as well) and other locations such as wineries and farms. We were again
guests for Navy Day in summer 1993, this time housed in a more modern resort
hotel. Here are some photos of the Navy Day celebrations of both years and a
few also of the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet. Many other photos from these
visits are in the folders for Sevastopol and other places along with even more
photos we made during a visit in 1998. Below, first are photos from 1993, which
are better photography, and then photos from 1992.
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We arrived by air from
Kyiv to Simferopol and rushed by bus to barely make it in time for the events.
here Russian sailors are entering the reviewing stands.
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Here one can see the crowd of local
fans. We were privileged to have reserved seats in a covered viewing area. Note
the sailors with the trumpets.
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The admiral is preparing
to inspect the fleet from his launch - the naval band is rendering honors -
Fort Constantine, build prior to the Crimean War is on the break water at
harbor entrance.
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Fort Constantine at harbor entrance -
it is still an active Naval installation off limits to visitors
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Navy Day - Neptune's court is
arriving. Fort Constantine at the harbor mouth is in the background.
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Navy Day - Neptune's court is
arriving. Fort Constantine at the harbor mouth is in the background.
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Neptune's court is preparing to
welcome the arrival of underwater Special forces scuba divers - along with the
naval band.
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Here the leading Scuba equipped
special forces man are ascending the stairs - they entered the water several
hundred yards to the right of the reviewing stand and somehow kept their
alignment in order to arrive in these groups of 4.
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Here the full unit of scuba-equipped,
special forces are marching off to the appreciative applause of the
spectators.
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View of part of the
spectator area and the south side of Sevastopol harbor toward the headland on
which is Chersonesos archeological preserve
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The Russian naval band and fanfare
trumpeters.
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Here a "Hovercraft" is
passing in front of the Aircraft carrier Moskva.
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Two guided missle patrol boats
passing in review in front of the Moskva.
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The Moskva aircraft carrier with
re-enactors passing by - perhaps a Viking or pirate boat.
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One of the Navy Day boats passing in
front of a destroyer?
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In 1992 and 1993 we were privileged
guests of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet for the annual Navy Day
celebration. Here a landing ship has opened its bow and discharged a group of
amphibious BMP that are staging a very noisy assault landing.
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The amphibious BMP are continuing
past the Moskva while firing a storm.
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Not sure if this was a torpedo or a
missle but the impact was impressive.
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Another view of the Moskva and
several small ships.
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In 1992 and 1993 we were privileged
guests of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet for the annual Navy Day
celebration Here the sailors are having a spirited boat race.
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Sky diving paratroops join the
festival
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A helicopter showing its capability
for sea rescue.
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Here is the aircraft carrier Moskva
with a submarine passing in front. These are no longer based at
Sevastopol.
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Several fire boats putting on a show.
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Here sailors are spelling out in
cyrillic initials for 'Glory to the Black Sea Fleet."
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The other end of the sailor's
display
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Text about the Black Sea Fleet museum
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A painting showing part of the
Panorama. It is on the wall in the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet
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Bust of Admiral Kornilov in the
Museum of the Black Sea Fleet
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Bust of Admiral Nakhimov in the
Museum of the Black Sea Fleet
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Some ordnance in the courtyard of the
Museum of the Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol.
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Some ordnance in the courtyard of the
Museum of the Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol.
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Facade of the Museum of the Black Sea
Fleet
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1992 - Photo from the eastern end of
Sevastopol harbor with line of submarines and several other war ships
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1992 - View of western part of
Sevastopol harbor and Fort Constantine at the entrance from water taxi
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1992 - View of south side of
Sevastopol harbor near entrance with the memorial - from water taxi.
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Statue of Admiral Nakhimov, hero of
the Siege of Sevastopol in the Great Eastern War, in the main city square.
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Photo of the lady who ran the naval
PX at the naval recreation center where we stayed, at its entrance
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View of the eastern end of Sevastopol
harbor from the high hill above the Cherniya river on which the Feodoro
fortress -=Kalimata ruin remains
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View of Sevastopol harbor with
several war ships preparing for Russian Navy Day Celebration
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Russian war ship in Sevastopol
harbor
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Russian sailors preparing their
cordon lines for crowd control on Russian Navy Day
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Crowds of eager locals approaching
the reviewing area for Russian Navy Day
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Several war ships of the Russian
Black Sea Fleet
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The inner harbor at
Sevastopol
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Russian Black Sea Fleet war ships
preparing for Navy Day in Sevastopol harbor.
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Russian Black Sea Fleet
warships
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View of the main harbor at
Sevastopol
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View east into the upper part of the
Sevastopol harbor
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View of Sevastopol harbor from water
taxi with part of the Black Sea Fleet at anchor
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Part of Sevastopol toward
evening
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Part of Sevastopol toward
evening
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Two Russian warships of the Black Sea
Fleet - we are preparing to board the one on the right for an interesting
guided tour.
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Boarding a war ship in the Russian
Black Sea Fleet
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A "pirate" boat, part of
the pagent for Russian Fleet Day
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A Russian landing craft vessel has
opened its doors to disgorge amphibious BMP vehicles - with Moskva in back
ground
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The Russian helicopter carrier,
Moskva, with landing craft vessel approaching.
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Russian high speed, guided missle
ship approaching
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Neptune and his court approaching
during the Russian Fleet Day pagent.
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View from audience reviewing area
toward the Sevastopol harbor entrance and Ft. Constantine
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Underwater explosion to simulate
firing
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Naval Special Forces unit climbing
ladder after traveling several hundred yards underwater.
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Black Sea Fleet celebration of
Russian Navy Day
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Russian Navy Day - Neptune's court
approaching from Ft. Constantine
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Russian Black Sea Fleet war
ships
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Another 'pirate' boat in the Navy Day
festival.
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Statue of Admiral Nakhimov, hero of
the Siege of Sevastopol in the Great Eastern War
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Russian sailors line the avenue
leading to the public reviewing area on Navy Day in Sevastopol
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Some of the enthusiastic spectators
(mostly military dependents) watching festivities in Sevastopol harbor
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Entrance to Sevastopol harbor with
Ft. Constantine and two Russian war ships.
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Russian carrier, Moskva, in
Sevastopol harbor
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Two Russian war ships in Sevastopol
harbor
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