Krasin, Museum ship in Vasileostrovsky District, Russia
Krasin is an icebreaker measuring roughly 100 meters long, moored at Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment near the Mining Institute in Saint Petersburg. The vessel now serves as a museum where visitors can walk through its interior spaces, machinery areas, and onboard equipment.
Built in Newcastle in 1916, this vessel led many Arctic expeditions and gained fame by rescuing the Italia airship crew in 1928. This dramatic rescue mission established its place in Soviet and later Russian polar exploration history.
This vessel reflects Russian mastery of Arctic waters and shows how sailors and engineers operated in the harshest conditions. The exhibits reveal what daily life was like aboard during dangerous missions to the frozen north.
Access is via a gangway that leads to narrow stairways and low ceilings throughout the ship's different sections. It is best to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to slowly explore the various decks at your own pace.
The vessel contains original lifeboats, medical equipment, and personal items from past operations that document everyday life aboard. These details reveal rescue techniques and shipboard conditions that differ greatly from modern operations.
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