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The history of Lembit, an Estonian submarine
15 November 2016
“Lembit” is one of two submarines built by the British for the Republic of Estonia before the Second World War. The Estonian people donated scrap metal to pay for it. According to Jakob Laulik of the Estonian Maritime Museum, “Lembit” is the “biggest and the most successful national fund-raising event in Estonian history”.
When the Soviet Union occupied Estonia during the Second World War, the vessel became part of the Soviet fleet. The crew consisted of 32 men, who had to live in very cramped conditions. Many had to sleep in the torpedo room.
The submarine made its last dive in the 1950s before being towed to a river, where it was discovered years later by two veterans who had served on her during the war.
When Estonia regained its independence in 1991, much of the Soviet military equipment was taken to Russia, and there was some concern that “Lembit” would also go. However, the national fIag was hoisted on board and the submarine stayed in Estonia, where it is on display at the Estonian Maritime Museum.