Ottomar Gern also known as Konstantin Borisovich Gern (16 November 1827 – 9 November 1882), was a Russian fortification engineer. Gern was born to a Polish noble family of German origin in Vitebsk Governorate, Russia. He studied war engineering at school and later became a lecturer in the field of construction of fortifications.
During the Crimean War in 1854, Gern was sent to Tallinn to organise better protection for batteries. Gern built four submarines during his life. After the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), he made a comprehensive presentation of the protective construction operations of both sides. He was awarded the rank of Lieutenant-General.
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In summer 1854, Gern arrived in Tallinn to strengthen the local defence facilities. After a couple of months, the Crimean War (1853-1856) had reached a point where the British and French allies of Turkey has reached the Gulf of Finland, and Russia announced a naval blockade. The British warships were stationed near Naissaar, blocking the exit route from Tallinn. Artillery fire from the shore could not reach them. To resolve this situation, Gern came up with the idea of constructing a submarine, which could reach enemy ships undetected and attack them unexpectedly. Gern got approval for his project and the first submarine was constructed in Tallinn in summer 1854. There were no large shipyards there at the time, so Gern had to do with the options available. In early autumn, the Tallinn military shipyard constructed a 5-metre wooden submarine. It had a crew of four. The weapon to attack enemy ships was located at the forward end.
The following year a second design was constructed by K. & A. Frikke shipyard in St. Petersburg. The second submarine was propelled by muscle power and displaced 8 tons.[1] A third design displacing 10 tons and powered by a petrol engine was constructed by Izhorskiy yard in Kolpino in 1864.[2] Both designs carried a submarine mine as armament.[2]
Gern's fourth design was a steam-powered submarine, the first to be armed with a self-propelled torpedo.[3] No.4 was constructed by I. F. Alexandrovskiy shipyard in St. Petersburg in 1864-1867. The 12 m (39 ft 4 in) long boat was launched in October 1867. In August 1871 the 25-ton boat was subjected to trials by the Imperial Russian war ministry. Although successful, the project was abandoned in 1872 after the war ministry had lost interest.[3]
In 1872, Gern presented a 6-ton torpedo, powered by a compressed-air engine, but tests showed only modest results. According to Edwyn Gray, this was "the largest and heaviest torpedo ever built".[4]
Gern died on 9 November 1882, in Menton, France, and was buried in Moscow.
stating 1854: "On 5th of September, Russia’s first, wood-bodied submarine was tested in the harbour of Tallinn"
stating "Ship piloted 5th IX, 1854 in Tallinn harbor, where it was found that the body is not tight enough, and the ship is badly managed. Therefore, the submarine could not find a practical use". (Google translate)
January 01, 1970
ottomar, gern, also, known, konstantin, borisovich, gern, november, 1827, november, 1882, russian, fortification, engineer, gern, born, polish, noble, family, german, origin, vitebsk, governorate, russia, studied, engineering, school, later, became, lecturer, . Ottomar Gern also known as Konstantin Borisovich Gern 16 November 1827 9 November 1882 was a Russian fortification engineer Gern was born to a Polish noble family of German origin in Vitebsk Governorate Russia He studied war engineering at school and later became a lecturer in the field of construction of fortifications Ottomar GernNative nameKonstantin Borisovich GernBorn 1827 11 16 16 November 1827Vitebsk Governorate RussiaDied9 November 1882 1882 11 09 aged 54 Menton FranceBuriedMoscowAllegiance Russian EmpireRankLieutenant General During the Crimean War in 1854 Gern was sent to Tallinn to organise better protection for batteries Gern built four submarines during his life After the Franco Prussian War 1870 1871 he made a comprehensive presentation of the protective construction operations of both sides He was awarded the rank of Lieutenant General Career editIn summer 1854 Gern arrived in Tallinn to strengthen the local defence facilities After a couple of months the Crimean War 1853 1856 had reached a point where the British and French allies of Turkey has reached the Gulf of Finland and Russia announced a naval blockade The British warships were stationed near Naissaar blocking the exit route from Tallinn Artillery fire from the shore could not reach them To resolve this situation Gern came up with the idea of constructing a submarine which could reach enemy ships undetected and attack them unexpectedly Gern got approval for his project and the first submarine was constructed in Tallinn in summer 1854 There were no large shipyards there at the time so Gern had to do with the options available In early autumn the Tallinn military shipyard constructed a 5 metre wooden submarine It had a crew of four The weapon to attack enemy ships was located at the forward end The following year a second design was constructed by K amp A Frikke shipyard in St Petersburg The second submarine was propelled by muscle power and displaced 8 tons 1 A third design displacing 10 tons and powered by a petrol engine was constructed by Izhorskiy yard in Kolpino in 1864 2 Both designs carried a submarine mine as armament 2 Gern s fourth design was a steam powered submarine the first to be armed with a self propelled torpedo 3 No 4 was constructed by I F Alexandrovskiy shipyard in St Petersburg in 1864 1867 The 12 m 39 ft 4 in long boat was launched in October 1867 In August 1871 the 25 ton boat was subjected to trials by the Imperial Russian war ministry Although successful the project was abandoned in 1872 after the war ministry had lost interest 3 In 1872 Gern presented a 6 ton torpedo powered by a compressed air engine but tests showed only modest results According to Edwyn Gray this was the largest and heaviest torpedo ever built 4 Gern died on 9 November 1882 in Menton France and was buried in Moscow References editNotes Polmar amp Noor 1991 p 2 a b Polmar amp Noor 1991 pp 2 3 a b Polmar amp Noor 1991 p 3 Gray Edywn 2004 Nineteenth Century Torpedoes and Their Inventors Naval Institute Press p 40 ISBN 978 1 59114 341 3 General references Oun Mati 4 April 2005 Allveelaeva poisipoli The Childhood of the Submarine Tehnikamaailm in Estonian Retrieved 12 March 2013 Polmar Norman Noor Jurrien 1991 Submarines of the Russian and Soviet Navies 1718 1990 Naval Institute Press ISBN 9780870215704 External links editstating 1854 On 5th of September Russia s first wood bodied submarine was tested in the harbour of Tallinn stating Ship piloted 5th IX 1854 in Tallinn harbor where it was found that the body is not tight enough and the ship is badly managed Therefore the submarine could not find a practical use Google translate Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ottomar Gern amp oldid 1222400171, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
