The first submarine appeared in Russia in the times of Peter the Great, in 1721. It used to be called “a hidden vessel”. The submarine was tested in presence of the emperor himself not far from St. Petersburg. It was the place where appeared a new city – Sestroretsk which is a big resort today. Until recently nothing had reminded of the first Russian submarine tests. But everything has changed.

This is an exact copy of the “hidden vessel”.

This is the boat from inside. The crew consisted of four to eight people.

Here you can see a periscope prototype.

This thing was always on the surface of water to intake air for breathing.

Paddles were used to move the boat under water.

“Trial of the hidden vessel of Efim Nikonov in presence of Peter the First. 1721.”

Today it sooner resembles a huge barrel of beer, though it looks cool anyway.

Location: Sestroretsk

via ivan-ku