1 December 29, 2025
Articles
1. Nikolay W. Mitiukov
The Rescue Vessel “Kanguro” and the Patrol Vessels “Kangaroo Joeys”
International Naval Journal. 2025. 13(1): 3-51.
Number of views: 4 Download in PDF
2. International Naval Journal. 2025. 13(1): 3-51.
Abstract:
This work represents the first attempt at a monographic description of the rescue vessel “Kanguro” and the patrol vessels “Pegaso” and “Procyón”. Many components and assemblies from the recently decommissioned vessel “Kanguro” were used in their construction, leading to the unofficial nickname “kangaroo joeys”. This work draws on contemporary literature on these vessels, as well as periodicals of the time and articles from the journal “Revista General de Marina”, which significantly expanded the existing descriptions and identified some existing errors. Particular attention is given to the description of the salvage of the main battery of the battleship “España”, as well as the events surrounding the beginning of the civil war. Overall, it can be concluded that the “Kanguro” project, designed according to pre-war doctrines and based on pre-war experience, was already obsolete both technically and morally by the time it was commissioned after the war. However, the operation of this vessel did have certain positive aspects for the Spanish Navy. A similar situation arose for the “kangaroo joeys”. Despite the conclusion drawn about the value of anti-submarine vessels based on World War II experience, the design, which utilized components and assemblies from the decommissioned “Kanguro” to reduce costs, must be considered a complete failure. The Navy received a slow, low-functionality ship, also obsolete even on the slipway.
This work represents the first attempt at a monographic description of the rescue vessel “Kanguro” and the patrol vessels “Pegaso” and “Procyón”. Many components and assemblies from the recently decommissioned vessel “Kanguro” were used in their construction, leading to the unofficial nickname “kangaroo joeys”. This work draws on contemporary literature on these vessels, as well as periodicals of the time and articles from the journal “Revista General de Marina”, which significantly expanded the existing descriptions and identified some existing errors. Particular attention is given to the description of the salvage of the main battery of the battleship “España”, as well as the events surrounding the beginning of the civil war. Overall, it can be concluded that the “Kanguro” project, designed according to pre-war doctrines and based on pre-war experience, was already obsolete both technically and morally by the time it was commissioned after the war. However, the operation of this vessel did have certain positive aspects for the Spanish Navy. A similar situation arose for the “kangaroo joeys”. Despite the conclusion drawn about the value of anti-submarine vessels based on World War II experience, the design, which utilized components and assemblies from the decommissioned “Kanguro” to reduce costs, must be considered a complete failure. The Navy received a slow, low-functionality ship, also obsolete even on the slipway.
Number of views: 4 Download in PDF