Latvia and Estonia are building modern submarines

In 1923, a decision was made to supplement the Latvian Navy with new and modern submarines for that time. Both future submarines were built in France and were modifications of French submarines of the time. Above water, the submarines could reach a speed of 17.5 knots, underwater – up to 10 knots. The maximum immersion depth was 70 m, the crew was 32 men. The armament consisted of 6 torpedo tubes, a 75 mm cannon and two 7.7 mm machine guns. Both submarines were included in the Latvian Navy in 1927. In the following years, the submarines Ronis and Spīdola participated in naval visits to Estonia, Lithuania, Finland and other Western European countries. They were also welcomed with great interest in Latvian ports. Here is how the naval visit to Ventspils on July 9, 1936 is described by the newspaper Ventas Balss:
On Tuesday evening, thick clouds of smoke suddenly appeared on the horizon, rapidly approaching Ventspils. Only a short half hour passed and one after another the warships of our squadron entered the raid: »Virsaitis«, »lmanta« and »Viesturs«. Soon they were followed by the submarine base ship »Varonis« and it became known that the submarines «Spīdola « and »Ronis« were also waiting to arrive. On »Virsais« was the squadron commander, Captain T. Spāde, under whose leadership our entire war fleet arrived in Ventspils on its way from Liepāja. One after another, smoothly cutting through the water, the ships entered the port and docked downstream of Pilskalns, between Ūdeņa and Lielo streets.

The guests on the shore watched with respect as many officers were decorated with the highest award for heroism — the Order of Lāčplēsis. When it became known in the city that dear guests — our navy — had visited Ventspils, many Ventspils residents gathered at the ship’s dock. Soon after the arrival of the “Virsais” various signal flags were raised on the masts, which informed the sailors of the squadron commander’s permission to go on vacation in the city. Dressed in white blouses, the sailors, free from their military duties, went ashore, some to visit relatives or acquaintances, others to walk around the city or listen to a symphony orchestra concert in the Recreation Garden, and still others — to meet and sit on the Castle Hill with their sweethearts.

When dusk had already fallen, both submarines also entered the harbor. The wet decks indicated that they had also dived underwater during the trip. Spectators gathered in Ventmala until late at night, watching with keen interest the warships and the scenes of evening life on them.
Early yesterday morning, the squadron lifted steam and after 7 o'clock set sail again, leaving the people of Ventspils with pleasant memories of their short visit.

When the Baltic States were annexed to the USSR, the submarines Ronis and Spīdola were included in the red-flagged Baltic Fleet. However, when German forces were rapidly approaching Liepāja at the beginning of World War II, both submarines were prepared for repairs and were not combat-ready. A decision was made to scuttle them right there in the harbor, along with other Soviet submarines that were not usable at that time. In 1942, the Germans raised the submarines, but they were apparently no longer usable for naval battles and renovation, so it was decided to hand them over for melting.

At the outbreak of war, the two Estonian submarines Kalev and Lembit were also stationed in Liepāja. The Soviet forces managed to evacuate them, and both were later used in the Baltic Sea to lay mines and sink German ships.

The Estonians included both of their submarines in their naval forces ten years later, in 1937. They were manufactured in Great Britain, modifying existing ready-made British submarine designs. Interestingly, Germany showed great interest in these submarines, and was even ready to buy one of the submarines. Apparently, the Germans found a completely new submarine, designed by a potential adversary on the other side of the Channel, interesting.

Both submarines are named after Estonian heroes – Lembit and Kalev. Above water, the submarines are capable of a speed of 13.5 knots, underwater – 8.5. Their maximum diving depth reaches 90m, and their armament includes four torpedo tubes and mines. Each is also equipped with a 40mm anti-aircraft gun and a 7.7mm machine gun.

Kalev participated in 2 combat operations, starting with the laying of mines in the area from Užava to Oviši, apparently to make navigation near the port of Ventspils dangerous. On its second voyage in the autumn of 1941, Kalev disappeared without a trace. The Finnish coast near Hanko is mentioned as the place of the submarine's sinking, as well as the island of Naisaare or Prangli off the Estonian coast. Versions have been put forward about its sinking after hitting a mine, or sinking for some unknown technical reason. When restoring the independent state, the Estonians repeatedly organized Kalev search expeditions and both a sunken balloon and a Soviet warship were considered the remains of the submarine.

Lembit made 7 trips during the war, laying mines at Cape Arkona and patrolling to try to hinder the supply of iron ore from neutral Sweden for the needs of the German military-industrial complex. Swedish supplies are said to have provided about 40% of Germany's steel production needs. After the war, the submarine was used as a training center until 1979. Later, it was transferred to Tallinn and is now restored to its full glory on display in the Seaplane Hangars in the port exposition section of the Maritime Museum.

Latvia had planned to purchase two more submarines of larger tonnage before the war, while the Estonians wanted to build three more submarines in Finland. This would have significantly strengthened the naval forces of both countries and the security of their maritime borders, but fate had decreed a different course of events in the first half of the 20th century.

The only surviving submarine Lembit can be seen in Tallinn in the Maritime Museum's exhibition in the renovated seaplane hangars at Lennusadam.