Historic Russian Sailing Ship Replica Prepared for Launch

Russian Navy May 23, 2012

'God's Predestination': Photo credit JSC Pavlovsk Shipyard Press Service

Full-size replica of God's Predestination' an 18-th century Russian sailing ship being built by JSC Pavlovsk Shipyard near Voronezh will be ready for launching in June 2012

An exact copy of Russia's first 58-cannon battleship God's Predestination was laid down at Pavlovsk Shipyard almost one year ago. The keel-laying ceremony was attended by Voronezh Governor Alexei Gordeyev and Metropolite Sergius.

According to Nadezhda Marinkina, "undoubtedly, we'll implement the contract on the due time, in December. The most problematic issues such as project development and registration have been already resolved. Along with our subcontractor, JSC Varyag from Petrozavodsk, we have spent half of 200 million rubles appropriated for the ship construction. It is noteworthy that we're reconstructing the sailing ship on the order of Voronezh regional administration, and she will become a symbol of Voronezh which is the cradle town of Russian fleet".

The ship's construction goes on under supervision of the River Registrar, so she will meet all requirements for safety, reliability, and ecological properties for ships of such kind. Underwater steel part of the hull made in Pavlovsk will be fully ready for launching in June. Then it will be towed to outfitting platform in the Voronezh Dam Lake. There the copy of the ship originally designed by Peter the Great and built by Voronezh Admiralty in May 1700 will be assembled. Masting and rigging will be carried out in Voronezh.

This phased approach to the construction is a forced solution, since due to deep draft and high masts (mainmast is 28 meters high) the ship will not be able to pass under bridges. The ship's main dimensions are: length is about 40 meters, beam is 9.5 meters, draft is 2.5 meters.

All wooden details of the ship are made by JSC Varyag (Petrozavodsk); a company widely experienced in building wooden ships, including historical ones. All wooden parts have been already manufactured; shipwrights are assembling and fitting them. Afterwards, the hull's wooden section will be disassembled and delivered to Voronezh by road. "We plan to join all things together by September. Works on hull assembling and masting will be carried out in the summer. Then the ship will take her place in canal near the Admiralty Square", said Nadezhda Marinkina.

"The ship will be a self-propelled single-screw vessel equipped with up-to-date facilities. For one, she will be powered by imported engine and diesel generators, and have advanced wastewater treatment system. After delivery to the client, the ship will be capable to navigate in the Voronezh Dam Lake with entertainment trips around the island", Marinkina said.