Riilahti
Class overview
Name	Ruotsinsalmi class
Builders	Crichton-Vulcan, Turku
Operators	Finnish Navy
Succeeded by	Keihässalmi
In service	1941–1975
Completed	2
Lost	1
Retired	1
General characteristics
Type	Minelayer
Displacement	310 t (310 long tons)
Length	50 m (164 ft 1 in)
Beam	7.9 m (25 ft 11 in)
Draught	1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
Propulsion	2 × Rateau diesel, 2 props, 890 kW (1,200 bhp)
Speed	15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	60
Armament	1 × 75 mm (3.0 in) gun 2 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Madsen anti-aircraft cannons Depth charge launchers 3 × rails for 100 mines

The Ruotsinsalmi-class minelayers were a two-strong class of minelayers in the Finnish Navy. The two ships, comprising Ruotsinsalmi and Riilahti, were constructed in Finland and saw service in the Winter War and World War II. Riihahti was sunk in an engagement with Soviet motor torpedo boats on 23 August 1943. Ruotsinsalmi survived the wars and remained in service in the post war Finnish Navy until being withdrawn in the 1970s.^[a]

Design and description

By the late-1930s, the Finnish Navy was focused on defence of the nation and the only ships under construction by Finland were the Ruotsinsalmi-class minelayers and assorted smaller craft. This was due to the majority of the defence budget being awarded to the Finnish Army.^[4] The Ruotsinsalmis measured 50 metres (164 ft 1 in) long overall with a beam of 7.9 m (25 ft 11 in) and a draught of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). They had a standard displacement of 310 tonnes (310 long tons).^[3][b] The vessels were powered by two Rateau diesel engines turning two shafts creating 890 kilowatts (1,200 bhp) and giving the minelayers a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). They had a complement of 60.^[6]

The ships were armed with one 50-calibre 75-millimetre (3.0 in) guns, two Madsen 20 mm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft cannon for anti-aircraft warfare. The vessels were also equipped with mine dropping rails, and could carry about 100 mines. Though not designed for anti-submarine warfare, the Ruotsinsalmi-class ships mounted two depth charge racks and two throwers.^[3]

Vessels of the class

Construction and career

Both Riilahti and sister ship Ruotsinsalmi were laid down in 1938, launched in 1940 and completed in 1941.^[3] The minelayers were active in the Winter War and again in World War II both times engaged with the Soviet Union.^[7] In July 1943, Soviet forces attempted a breakout into the Baltic Sea from where the Finns had them blockaded via the Seeigel-Rukajärvi mine barrage. There were a number of naval encounters in the Soviet attempt and Riihahti was sunk on 23 August 1943 in a battle with Soviet motor torpedo boats.^[8][c] Ruotsinsalmi survived the war and remained in the Finnish Navy even after the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947 that was signed following the end of World War II restricted the navy's operational capacities.^[9] In the post war era, Ruotsinsalmi was rearmed with two 40 mm (1.6 in) guns and two 20 mm guns while retaining her minelaying capability.^[5][6] Moore^[1] and Westerlund & Chumbley^[2] claim the vessel was deleted in 1975 and Westerlund^[3] states the vessel was stricken in 1977.