RUSSIAN VIAPORI
The Dock
The Viapori dock was an important part of the fortress built in support of the navy. However, the dock was damaged in the early phases of the Russian era, with the basins of the dock being filled with water in the early 19th century. Functions supporting the fortress such as an ammunition foundry and storage were built in the dock area. During the First World War, work was initiated to refurbish the dock in order to enable repairs of new vessel types in Viapori.
The dock falls into disrepair
The dock was originally built as a base for the Swedish Archipelago Fleet in a sheltered location on the northern shore of the island of Susisaari. The dock and the surrounding defensive fortifications were a key part of the fortress.
Soon after the fortress had been transferred to Russian possession, one of the two large gunpowder magazines in the island of Susisaari exploded. The exposition damaged the dock, filling its basins with water. In the 1830s and 1850s, the dock was alternately operational and inoperational. In the bombardments during the Crimean War in August 1855, the dock sustained damage on such a scale that no efforts were ever made to repair it. Consequently, the basins were filled with water for decades. The fortifications surrounding the dock were also damaged in the 1855 bombardments, causing them to be taken down.
Workshops, storages and similar structures were located in the dock area in the 19th century, but new buildings were also built there. An ammunition foundry, storage and a sauna were built in the vicinity of the basin. In the 1890s, a hospital for infectious diseases was stationed in the fortifications of Bastion Taube.
A dock being repaired in 1916. Photo credits: The Estonian Maritime Museum
Reforms of the dock are launched during the First World War
The crushing defeat suffered by the Russian navy in the Russo-Japanese war in 1905 set a reform of the Empire’s naval defences in motion. The defences of the Viapori sea fortress were also developed. During the First World War, the Russians began to repair the Viapori dock in order to turn it into a dock for mine carriers. The need for dry docks had increased, as the new types of vessels required regular overhaul.
Repairs and modifications on the dock began in 1916. The easternmost basin, known as the repair basin, was abandoned and filled. In the area where the repair basin used to be located, a new brick repair shop building was built, housing also the pump house of the dock. The wall dividing the large basin known as the galley basin was removed, and the basin was made deeper. Before the dock was emptied of water, a new gate was floated to the site from St. Petersburg. This gate was used to serve as a lock to both halves of the basin, depending on whether both halves or only one of them needed to be emptied.
The dock’s basins and gates were refurbished towards the end of the Russian era. Photo credits: The Estonian Maritime Museum
The modernised dock gradually gained the name of Dock of Admiral Essen. The modification of the basins was completed during 1917, by which time the dock became almost operational. However, Viapori was transferred to the possession of independent Finland in May 1918 before the Russians managed to put the dock to efficient operational use.
The Suomenlinna dock continues to be actively used and also has moorings for visiting boats. Photo credits: Suomen ilmakuva
A 360° panoramic view of the dockyard
Text: Mikko Mälkki
The Russian Viapori online exhibition
is part of the jubilee programme for
Finland’s 100 years of independence.
