Minelayer Keihässalmi

The minelayer Keihässalmi, designed for mine-laying and mine-sweeping duties, was decommissioned and turned into a museum ship in 1994. The vessel is owned by the Military Museum of Finland, and its maintenance is the responsibility of the Forum Marinum Foundation. The ship is open to the public during the summer months.

History of Minelayer Keihässalmi

Keihässalmi was built in Helsinki in 1957. Its design was based on minelayers constructed in Turku during World War II. While primarily built for mine-laying and mine-sweeping, various weapon systems were also tested on the vessel.

In 1975, a new weapons system equipped with a fire-control radar was installed. The ship underwent a major overhaul in 1980–81, which improved its seaworthiness by adding ballast, and the forward section of the mine deck was made watertight by sealing side openings.

Keihässalmi participated in the first post-war naval visits to Sweden and the Soviet Union in the early 1960s. It also served as a training ship.

Engines

2 × 800 hp Wärtsilä diesel engines

Speed: 15 knots

Armament

The vessel has had several different armament configurations.

Current armament after overhaul:

2 × 30 mm Nikolayev AK-230 twin-barrel autocannons (30 63 65 2TLT)

2 × 20 mm Madsen machine guns (20 Itk/42 ML)

Mine deck capacity: up to 100 mines

2 × Depth charge throwers WBW C/35 (SPH/43)

2 × Depth charge racks

Previously also equipped with:

3 × 40 mm Bofors autocannons (40 60 ItK 35-39) or

2 × 40 mm Bofors autocannons (40 60 Itk 58)

Opening Hours

Open during the summer season June 9 – August 17, 2025, every day from 10 AM to 6 PM!

General Information

Year built: 1957

Length: 56 m

Beam: 7.7 m

Draft: 2.0 m

Displacement: 360 tons

Crew: 60 people — 3 officers, 12 non-commissioned officers, 45 conscripts

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