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Finnish Submarine Saukko

Saukko shortly after being launched

Finnish Submarine Saukko

Saukko (Finnish for European otter) was a Finnish submarine launched in 1930. Designed to operated from Lake Ladoga, her tonnage was limited to 100 tonnes by the Treaty of Tartu. In reality, she weighted 114 tonnes and never operated from the lake.

To enable rail transportation, she was able to be separated into several sections, including the removal of the conning tower.

During the Winter War (1939–1940) and the Continuation War (1941–1944), the submarine operated in the Gulf of Finland. Saukko was scrapped in 1952.

US Battleship USS Kearsarge BB-5

USS Kearsarge (BB-5) accompanied by small boats while underway between 1903 - 1909

US Battleship USS Kearsarge BB-5

The lead ship of her class of two pre-dreadnought battleships, USS Kearsarge BB-5 was laid down on 30 June 1896. Launched on 24 March 1898, she was commissioned into the US Navy on 20 February 1900.

Her early career saw Kearsarge act as the flagship for the the North Atlantic Squadron. In June 1903, she sailed for Europe, visiting Germany and the United Kingdom, returning in July.

The Great White Fleet

On 16 December 1907 she sailed with the Great White Fleet on a world tour, returning to the US on 22 February. The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the group of United States Navy battleships that completed a journey around the globe from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909, by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. It consisted of 16 battleships divided into two squadrons, along with various small escorts, and earned its moniker for the stark white paint on its hulls.

The fleet’s primary mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying new U.S. naval power to the world; Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military prowess and blue-water naval capabilities.

World War One

On her return from the Great White Fleet, Kearsarge was modernized from 4 September 1909 to 23 June 1915. The ship received cage masts, new water-tube boilers, and another four 5-inch guns. The 1-pounder guns were removed, as were sixteen of the 6-pounders.

During World War One, she acted primarily as a training ship on the Atlantic Coast.

Decommissioned in May 1920, Kearsarge was converted into a crane ship, and was given hull classification symbol IX-16 on 17 July 1920, but it was changed to AB-1 on 5 August. Her turrets, superstructure, and armor were removed, and were replaced by a large revolving crane with a lifting capacity of 250 tons (230 tonnes), as well as 10-foot (3.0 m) blisters, which improved her stability.

World War Two

On 6 November 1941, Kearsarge was renamed Crane Ship No. 1, allowing her name to be reused (originally for CV-12, which was later changed to Hornet and then for Kearsarge CV-33). She was sold for scrap on 9 August 1955.

Displacement11,540 short tons (10,470 t)
Length375 ft 4 in (114.40 m)
Beam72 ft 3 in (22.02 m)
Draft23 ft 6 in (7.16 m)
Installed power5 boilers, 11,674 ihp (8,705 kW)
Propulsion2 VTE engines, 2 propeller shafts
Speed17 kn (20 mph; 31 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried
6 cutters, 2 launches, 1 barge, 2 whaleboats, 1 gig, 2 dinghies, 2 catamarans
Complement40 officers and 514 enlisted men
Armament4 × 13 in (330 mm)/35 caliber guns
4 × 8 in (203 mm)/35 caliber guns
14 × 5 in (127 mm)/40 caliber guns
20 × 6-pounders (57 mm or 2.2 in)
8 × 1-pounders (37 mm or 1.5 in)
4 × .30 in (7.6 mm) machine guns
4 × 18 in (457 mm) torpedo tubes
ArmorBelt: 5–16.5 in (127–419 mm)
Barbettes: 12.5–15 in (318–381 mm)
Turrets (primary): 15–17 in (381–432 mm)
Turrets (secondary): 6–11 in (152–279 mm)
Conning tower: 10 in (254 mm)

Under Construction

In Service

As U.S. Crane Ship No. 1 Kearsarge

Richmond Vale Railway Hunter Valley

Steam Train Ride Richmond Vale Railway Museum

Richmond Vale Railway

The Richmond Vale Railway Museum is located just outside of Kurri Kurri New South Wales. Run by volunteers, it is set in the old Pelaw Main colliery and aims to preserve local railway history. Unfortunately a bushfire went through the area in early 2018, destroying a large section of track and many old wagons that were in storage. The volunteers have restored some of the track, so the trains are running again, but not out to the old colliery. You do however get to ride in a steam train.

Bushfire Damaged Carriages
Bushfire Damaged Carriages

The entry fee allows access to the grounds, manager’s residence and the steam train ride. The old colliery buildings and processing plant are fenced off for safety reasons, but you can still take photos as the view through the fence is good.  Unfortunately, when we visited the old manager’s residence was locked, so we couldn’t look through the interior.  However, it was worth a look around the outside of this impressive looking building.

Manager's Residence
Manager’s Residence

On the grounds, you will find a nicely preserved old steam train and the steam train ride. The train runs regularly, so don’t worry if you miss it. The ride is not very long but enjoyable.

Steam Train Ride
Steam Train Ride at the Museum
Steam Train Ride
Richmond Vale Railway Museum Steam Train Ride 
Steam Train at Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Steam Train at Richmond Vale Railway Museum

There is a small playground, where children can climb over a small train engine.  Nearby a miniature train provides rides for visitors.

Old Coal Wagons Richmond Vale Railway
Old Coal Wagons
Old Mine Processing Plant Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Old Mine Processing Plant

To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.