Soviet icebreaker Lenin
The
nuclear powered icebreaker
Lenin was the first
nuclear surface ship in the world. It is categorized as a polar
icebreaker and also had a helicopter landing pad aft.
Launched in
1957,
Lenin is powered by two
OK-150 reactors and four
steam turbines. The four
Kirov turbines power corresponding generators connected to three sets of
electric motors and gear shafts. The electric motors set in motion three propeller screws (two broad-side and one middle). Also there were two autonomous auxiliary
electric power stations.
During the winter of
1966-
1967 Lenin suffered an accident with one of its reactors, though reliable details are not available. (See
List of nuclear accidents.)
Lenin was decommissioned in
1989, because its hull had worn thin from ice friction, and is being converted into a museum ship. It is laid up at
Atomflot, a base for nuclear icebreakers in
Murmansk.
After it has had cosmetic repairs inside, the icebreaker will become a museum. Specialists of the Murmansk shipping company say it is due to be finished in
2005.
Accoridng to
Pravda.ru, the repairs to the Icebreaker have now been finished. The repairs should enable the icebreaker to remain afloat at the pier for 40 more years. After the cosmetic repairs inside are finished, the icebreaker will acquire the status of museum.
* Displacement (without ballast): 16,000 t
* Main turbine capacity: 32,4 MW (44,000 horse-power)
* Maximum length: 134 m
* Width: 27,6 m
* Side height: 16,1 m
* Speed: 18 knots (33,3 km per hour)
