EML Wambola (M311)

Summary

EML Wambola (M311) is a Lindau-class minehunter of the Estonian Navy Mineships Division, formerly the German warship Cuxhaven. The commanding officer of the vessel is Captain Jaanus Antson. The minehunter Wambola is the first vessel of the Estonian Navy Mineships Division and also the first modernized Lindau-class minehunter. A black keel on a silver background with a golden battle-axe is on the coat of arms of the vessel. The battle-axe is a weapon used by the ancient Estonians which also symbolizes their fighting spirit and strength. The ships motto is the Latin "Ad unquem" which is in English "Onto the nail head". The coat of arms was designed by Priit Herodes. In 2000 a cooperation contract was signed between the Pärnu city council and the minehunter Wambola which gave the vessel a right to wear the Pärnu town coat of arms and to introduce the city in all foreign harbors across the world.

EML Wambola (M311)
History
Germany
NameCuxhaven
OperatorGerman Navy
BuilderBurmeister-Werft Bremen-Burg, Germany
Launched11 March 1959
Commissioned1959
Decommissioned8 February 2000
FateSold to Estonia
Estonia
NameWambola
OperatorEstonian Navy
AcquiredFebruary 2000
Decommissioned26 March 2009
MottoAd unquem
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeLindau-class minehunter
Displacement495 tons full
Length47.1 m
Beam8.3 m
Draught3.7 m
Propulsion
  • 2 shafts propulsors
  • diesel drives
  • 2 × 1,470 kW Maybach MD 871 um/1-D drives
  • 5 × 70 kW diesel drives RHS 518 Dn 5
Speed16.5 knots
Range1,360 km (730 nmi; 850 mi)
Complement6 officers, 31 sailors
Crew37
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Navigation radar
  • Hull-mounted DSQS-11 mine-detection sonar
Armament
Notes
  • Mine counter measures equipment:
  • 2 × ECA PAP 104 Mk.5 remotely controlled submarines (ROV) with explosives
  • contact-sweeper

History edit

EML Wambola (M311) was built in West Germany, in a Burmester shipyard in Bremen. The vessel was launched on 11 March 1959 and she entered service in the same year. The ship's name comes from the city of Cuxhaven in Germany. Originally Cuxhaven was a minesweeper but was transformed into a minehunter in late 1970s. The German Navy decommissioned Cuxhaven and one of her twin sisters Lindau on 9 October 2003 and gave the vessels to the Estonian Navy to operate. On the ceremony the vessel received an Estonian name Wambola.[1] Estonian Navy decommissioned Wambola on 26 March 2009.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ http://www.mil.ee/?menu=merevagi&sisu=wambola ENS Wambola (M311)

External links edit

  Wikimedia Atlas of Estonia

  • Estonian Navy