The idea of ​​creating a hydrofoil river ship appeared at the end of the 19th century in France. The designers of that time tested an unimaginable number of floating facilities of the most fantastic shapes. Already at that time, sufficiently powerful engines and material from which it was possible to build a hull were developed.

But the built models categorically did not want to take off above the water. They lacked the stability and speed to accelerate. Already in Soviet times, after the revolution, Polytech student Rostislav Alekseev was fascinated by a futuristic article about the future of the fleet. About ships that can sail, hovering over the water like birds. And he was taken by this idea. A flying ship... How to make viscous, dense water let go of a heavy structure? After all, its hydrodynamic force dampens the speed of any ship, even the fastest! These are the properties of water. Rostislav started with the wings and developed their special shape. And with success he defends his diploma on the topic "Hydrofoil glider".

The creator of "Sunrise" Rostislav Alekseev

So for the first time the future legendary creator of unusual ships declared himself, capable of developing speed on their wings, inaccessible to other similar watercraft. The topic of the diploma interested the commission, it was very similar to a Ph.D. thesis, there was so much realism in it and, it seemed, simplicity. During the war years, Rostislav Alekseev worked at a factory where tanks were assembled and repaired, but the thought of creating unique ships on wings did not leave him. And the first boat, built according to the drawings of a young designer, appeared in Moscow already in 1946.

He had numerous supporters and like-minded people who enthusiastically supported the idea of ​​Rostislav. For several years, drawings were developed and production was established. In 1957, the serial production of ships on the wings of the "Rocket" series begins. On the basis of these drawings, many modifications were created in subsequent years, and the Voskhod series of motor ships is one of them.

Favorite child of the whole country

Motor ship "Voskhod" is already the second generation of the SPK and the direct heir to the amazing qualities of the "Rocket". In 1973, the first copy of the new series was launched to replace the outdated models. The technical characteristics of the ship "Voskhod" were significantly improved, and initially it was built for use in the river fleet. But time has shown that "Voskhod" can successfully work in sea zones close to the coast.

Many models of this series were used in the Crimea for walks and excursions on the sea. The demand for them increased, and motor ships began to be built for the whole country. The engines were supplied from Leningrad and Barnaul, and the entire ships were assembled at the More plant in Feodosia. By itself, the motor ship "Voskhod" was a small vessel, its length was a little more than 27 meters, width - 6.4 meters. Therefore, it was used as a pleasure boat most often.

Cruise ship for lakes, seas and rivers

Each of the ships had a 1000 hp engine. s., but in terms of the amount of fuel consumed, it could only be compared with aircraft. And the very moment of putting the ship on the wing in terms of fuel costs was equal to the launch of the Soyuz-1 spacecraft. And yet they were still built. There were few high-quality roads in the USSR, because of this, the river bed was often intensively used for movement on such boats. Maybe that's why the river fleet in the Union developed so rapidly. By 1990, more than 150 ships of this series were built.

This number did a good job. They were used mainly as passenger pleasure transport in small river and sea cruises, in regular routes instead of buses and trains. The winged ship was especially loved by children, they were admired. The ship attracted special attention in the Crimea, from a distance it looked like an alien ship, and every Soviet vacationer had a photo from the Voskhod ship in his family album.

"Sunrise" in our time

These vessels were operated on lakes, rivers, seas of all Soviet Union. In addition to the team, a little more than 70 people could be transported on the river handsome. On Lake Baikal, the motor ship "Voskhod" still performs one-day excursions along several routes. They are arranged to get acquainted with the beauties of Lake Baikal and the territories adjacent to it.

The flight Irkutsk - Taltsy - Bolshiye Koty - Irkutsk gives you the opportunity to visit the fabulous and stunningly beautiful places of Baikal and Angara. During the parking there is time for horseback riding and visiting the Museum of Local Lore. True, there is no open area on the ship, but all the same, such trips are very popular. There is a "Voskhod" in the Samara River Shipping Company, they are used for regular flights where it is not very convenient to use vehicles. They are also found in Petrozavodsk, Krasnoyarsk and other cities of our vast country.

and durability

The maximum speed of this series is 65 km / h, which is a good indicator for a vessel that is engaged in passenger traffic and excursions. On the river it is not so often possible to meet ships with the characteristics of the Voskhod motor ship. Its displacement is 28 tons, it has a river register class "O". This means that the main purpose is inland water basins, river mouths, reservoirs, sea coastal zones with a wave height of not more than 2 meters.

And despite the fact that the last copy was built in 1991, the quality of the ships that remained afloat is good, they were made to last, and even after repairs they brought considerable benefits to their owners. Durability is also explained by the fact that the body was welded from a durable aluminum-magnesium alloy, which is not susceptible to corrosion. Rivets were no longer used in 1973, and the wings are made of stainless steel and, with proper care, could last for decades.

Tireless workers on the water

After the collapse of the Union, the construction of unique ships practically ceased. Some of the outdated copies were cut into metal, more modern models were happy to be bought by the owners of river companies for commercial passenger transportation. Those that remained in Russia still serve faithfully after repairs and upgrades. So, Voskhod-23 has been working tirelessly in St. Petersburg since 2011.

It was converted into a sightseeing one, and now you can go on it on a weekend along the standard route from St. Petersburg to Strelna or Kronstadt. Panoramic windows allow you to observe the picturesque landscapes of the Gulf of Finland in comfortable aircraft seats. Even a significant speed does not prevent you from relaxing and getting incomparable pleasure. These vessels are also offered for rent for walks with all your friendly staff or with friends. It is worth noting that swimming can only be done during daylight hours.

World popularity of the ship on wings

Back in Soviet times, the Voskhod passenger ship was popular not only at home, but also abroad. These vessels were supplied to 18 countries around the world. They have hardly been modified, they were so good specifications this series. Buyers were attracted by the small size, which was especially useful in small bodies of water. The capacity of the ship "Voskhod" was no more than 80 people, it was successful, because it is almost a bus, and they were often bought to replace vehicles.

Already in 2002, after a long break, on shipyard three more Voskhods were built by order of the river company Connexxion. A floating craft with rather difficult aerobatics can be controlled by a team of two or three people, this quality is also taken into account when buying. Motor ships of the Voskhod series were sold to Canada, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Turkey, Thailand, and Hungary. Some of them are still afloat and work properly.

Memories of the legendary ship

Many people remember these cruise ships, especially those whose youth fell on the time of the existence of the Soviet Union. Motor ship "Voskhod" receives good reviews for speed, for convenience, for beauty and unusualness. For some, this is a warm memory from childhood, when under the Crimean sun on the wet sand they drew the contours of these ships. And then enthusiastically waved after the car rushing by. Even now, after numerous repairs, these ships are winning the hearts of those who met them already in the 2000s.

Meet the hydrofoil vessel - Voskhod. Hydrofoils are the pride of the Soviet Union. In their production and operation, he was a world leader.

A unique ship, almost space)) No wonder it was classified in the USSR, at one time. Basically, the ship sailed along the rivers, but if necessary, it could also go to the sea, to the coastal zone.

Voskhod has been produced since 1973 at the Krasnoye Sormovo factories ( Nizhny Novgorod. RSFSR) and "More" (Feodosia, Ukrainian SSR). Engines high-engine diesels from bombers came from the factories "Barnaultransmash" and the Leningrad plant "Zvezda". In total, more than 150 ships were produced.

Passenger capacity over 70 people. The maximum speed is 65 km/h. Operating speed - 62 km / h. Engine power 1000 hp

But speed on the water is not easy. And the speeds of "Sunrise" are available only thanks to its forms, the hybridization of the aircraft and the ship. In the photo, the main uniqueness of these ships is the hydrofoil. When the ship accelerates, the wing under the bottom creates lifting force just like an airplane wing. The ship rises above the water and soars above it leaning on its wings. Due to this, the friction force is small and the ship can reach high speed.

During the year, hydrofoil ships transported over 20 million people to the USSR.

In the 1970s, more than 40 vessels of this type were in operation in Kyiv.

In addition to Voskhod, the USSR also produced ... its predecessors and analogues.

"Rocket" Year of issue 1957-1977. About 400 pieces were produced. Speed ​​70km/h. Power 900-1000 hp

"Meteor" Year of issue 1961-1991. More than 400 pieces produced. Speed ​​65km/h. Power 1800-2200 hp

"Comet" Year of release 1964-1992. More than 130 pieces produced. Speed ​​60km/h. Power 2200 hp

"Polesye" Year of release 1983-1996. Produced 115 pieces. Speed ​​75km/h. Power 1100 hp Able to walk along rivers a meter deep.

The flagship of the Soviet hydrofoil ships - "Cyclone" - sea two-deck machine.

Gas turbine engine power - 6,000 hp Passenger capacity - 250 people. Speed ​​- 70 km / h.

The USSR, in addition to operating these ships at home, also supplied them to foreign markets in countries such as: USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Greece, Canada, Austria, Finland, China, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Vietnam, Thailand.

In addition to the above ships, small-scale and experimental ships were also produced - Whirlwind, Sputnik, Burevestnik, Belarus, Colchis, Katran, Olympia, Chaika, Typhoon and others.

How Voskhody and the company saved lives...

Two Voskhods contaminated with radiation at a cemetery in Pripyat. They participated in the evacuation of residents after the accident...

In 1992, during the war between Georgia and Abkhazia, a military helicopter fired at the Kometa on the high seas. One of the missiles hit below the waterline. The crew of the ship, not at a loss, turned on the full motors. The Comet picked up speed, got on its wings and, with a hole in the side, which was now above the water level, brought 70 of its passengers safely to the shore.

Due to their speed, hydrofoils have repeatedly come out to rescue the crews and passengers of sinking ships. Not one hundred people were saved by them.

In the USSR, all civilian hydrofoils were strategic objects. In the event of hostilities, they were supposed to become high-speed hospitals, taking out the wounded from the front line.

Where did the Sunrises and their analogues go? Why did they disappear?

The operation of hydrofoils is an expensive pleasure, too complicated and expensive this device for such a great country as Ukraine - the great Ukraine itself decided - and in the 90s Ukrrichflot sold almost the entire river fleet for cheap, and this is about 100 hydrofoil ships inherited from "damned Owl" ...

Where did you sell it? Abroad.

"Sunrise" in the Kiev port before being sent abroad.

Sunrise(projects 352 and 03521) - a series of Soviet high-speed hydrofoil passenger ships. These vessels were intended for transportation along rivers and reservoirs. Good seaworthiness allows "Voskhod" to go to the coastal areas of the sea.

Story

"Sunrise" was created to replace older hydrofoils - "Rockets" and "Meteors". The lead (first) vessel of the series was built in 1973. Voskhods were built at the More shipyard in Feodosia. High-speed diesel engines for the ship were supplied by the Leningrad Zvezda plant and the Barnaultransmash plant. In total, by the beginning of the nineties, more than 150 Voskhods had been built. In the nineties, the production of Voskhod practically stopped due to the difficult situation of the manufacturing plant.

List of famous vessels on the River Fleet website: http://riverfleet.ru/fleet/6309/

Spreading

In addition to the Soviet Union, Voskhods were delivered to eighteen other countries, in particular, to Canada, Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Thailand, Turkey. Recently, Voskhods were built by order of the Dutch public transport operator Connexxion (these Voskhods belonged to the Voskhod-2M FFF modification, also known as Eurofoil).

In the Netherlands Voskhod runs between Amsterdam and Velsen. The trip takes half an hour. This crossing is integrated with the intercity bus system (Connexxion is a public transport operator, primarily buses), it even has its own number - route number 419, however, for advertising purposes, Connexxion calls this crossing Fast Flying Ferries. For safety reasons, operation was discontinued on January 1, 2014 due to new speed limits.

Initially (the line opened in 1998), it used four used Voskhods purchased in Ukraine, 1 Meteor (Prins Willem-Alexander) and 1 Polissya. In 2002, by order of Connexxion, Ukrainian shipbuilders built three new Voskhods (Nos. 604, 605, 606, in the Netherlands they received their own names: Rosanna, Karla and Catharina-Amalia). Connexxion sold two old Voskhods, one, called Annemarie, remained in reserve and was put up for sale.

In 2008, the fourth Voskhod-2M No. 607 was purchased, the completion of which was carried out in Holland. He received the name Klaas Westdijk.

catastrophes

Write a review on the article "Sunrise (ship)"

Notes

Links

• B. V. Ikonnikov, A. I. Maskalik Features of the design and construction of hydrofoil ships. Leningrad, Shipbuilding, 1987.

An excerpt characterizing Voskhod (ship)