Submarine Vesikko: A Dive into Finnish Naval History

Submarine Vesikko, situated within the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, stands as a tangible reminder of Finland's naval history. Launched in 1933, the Vesikko (meaning European mink in Finnish) was initially built as a prototype for German Type II submarines. Before the outbreak of World War II, Finland acquired the Vesikko and integrated it into its naval forces. During the Winter War and the Continuation War, Vesikko played a crucial role in protecting convoys and patrolling the Gulf of Finland. Its most notable achievement was sinking the Soviet merchant ship Vyborg in 1941. Following the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, Finland was prohibited from operating submarines, leading to the scrapping of all Finnish submarines except the Vesikko. In 1973, after extensive restoration, the Vesikko was opened to the public as a museum. Visitors can explore the submarine's interior, experiencing firsthand the confined living and working spaces of its 20-member crew. The exhibit features the vessel's diesel and electric engines, torpedoes, and other equipment, offering insights into the daily lives of submariners during wartime. The Vesikko is one of the Military Museum's most popular attractions and a significant memorial to naval warfare.