Dolgorae class submarine SSM-053
SSM-053, the last of three Dolgorae (Dolphin) class small coastal submarines, was built by the Korea Takoma Shipyard (now Hanjin Heavy Industry Co. Ltd) in Busan. She was commissioned on 12 December 1991.
The Dolgarae class were South Korea’s first submarines of any type, and were acquired to (1) obtain initial experience with the operation of a submarine force, (2) train surface warships in the detection of North Korean midget submarines, and (3) support special operations by infiltrating and returning special forces from enemy shores.
The submarines displaced 175 tons (full load), and had a crew of 6 - with capacity for up to 8 additional combat swimmers. They were also fitted with two 16-inch tubes for torpedoes or mines.
Whilst in service, SSM-053 was based at the Submarine Force Command headquarters in Jinhae.
After roughly 25 years of service, SSM-053 decommissioned in 2016, and in November 2017 opened as a museum ship at Seoul Battleship Park beside the Han River in western Seoul (along with the Frigate Seoul (FFK-952), and Chamsuri class patrol boat PKM-295).
Write up and image by David Chessum
