"Severodvinsk" Nuke Sub Heads for New Home

"Severodvinsk" departs Severodvinsk, September 11, 2014 (Photo courtesy of radikal.ru)

Following a no-frills send-off ceremony, the Russian Navy Northern Fleet's Severodvinsk-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine "Severodvinsk" departed the port of Severodvinsk (White Sea) on September 11 en route to its new permanent base of Guba Zapadnaya Litsa (about 35 miles northwest of Severomorsk). The journey should take only two days. The first (and only) time "Severodvinsk" departed the White Sea was a month and a half ago when it participated in Navy Day celebrations in Severomorsk. Shortly after the celebrations, the submarine returned to Severodvinsk.

There were a few hints the submarine was preparing to depart the White Sea:

• On September 3, SevMash shipyard reported that the submarine would be heading to its permanent home port of Guba Zapadnaya Litsa this fall.
• On September 10, the Severodvinsk mayor's office reported that the submarine had received two stationary bike trainers and TV monitor from the city. Since it wasn't a holiday, and it wasn't an anniversary of anything related to the submarine, it had to be farewell gifts as the submarine was preparing to the leave the city for many years.