Help needed - what is an SSB?

[JayceyF]

My grandfather was an RAF Observer Office who served in North Russia during the Archangel campaign.

Several of his photos refer to a mysterious vessel called 'SSB1' - in fact, here he is having what looks like a boozy time with some jolly fellows on what must actually be SSB1 (as he's written it underneath in his album).

I have looked on the Internet high and low trying to find out what SSB1 was - or any SSB? (Was there an SSB2 or any other number?) I have found nothing that makes any sense.

So I have come here in the hope that amongst all you experts, there just might be someone who knows what an SSB is - I live in hope! I would be so grateful if somebody could help me? Thank you in advance. 🙏🏼

[Tawhiri]

The log for HMS Pegasus for 22 June 1919 mentions the following:

 At Arkhangel

Lat 64.55, Long 40.48

8.45 pm S.S.B. 1 and 2 S.L.s left in tow of FANDANGO for up river

Not helpful in actually identifying what S.S.B. 1 is though. HMS Fanadango was a Dance-class minesweeper that was mined with the loss of an officer and five men in the Dvina River, North Russia on 3 July 1919. The fact that it was being towed might suggest it was a barge of some sort.

https://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-04-HMS_Pegasus.htm

http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-54734/ADM53-54734-047_0.jpg

Edited 26 April , 2023 by Tawhiri

[JayceyF]

3 hours ago, Tawhiri said:

The log for HMS Pegasus for 22 June 1919 mentions the following:

 At Arkhangel

Lat 64.55, Long 40.48

8.45 pm S.S.B. 1 and 2 S.L.s left in tow of FANDANGO for up river

Not helpful in actually identifying what S.S.B. 1 is though. HMS Fanadango was a Dance-class minesweeper that was mined with the loss of an officer and five men in the Dvina River, North Russia on 3 July 1919. The fact that it was being towed might suggest it was a barge of some sort.

https://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-04-HMS_Pegasus.htm

http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-54734/ADM53-54734-047_0.jpg

Thank you - it's a good start anyway! 👍🏼

[horatio2]

Damien Wright in his "Churchill's Secret War with Lenin ... 1918-20" pp.226 and 291 identifies these as RAF seaplane supply barges, SSB.1 and SSB.2. P.226 has an excellent image of SSB.1 personnel. of 'A' Flight RAF.

Edited 26 April , 2023 by horatio2

[Tawhiri]

The S.L.’s mentioned in HMS Pegasus’ log are likely to be seaplane lighters. This article mentions that at least two were known to have been used in North Russia in 1919 to carry Fairey III seaplanes.

http://bumaritime.org/projects/58ft-towing-lighters/

[JayceyF]

16 hours ago, horatio2 said:

Damien Wright in his "Churchill's Secret War with Lenin ... 1918-20" pp.226 and 291 identifies these as RAF seaplane supply barges, SSB.1 and SSB.2. P.226 has an excellent image of SSB.1 personnel. of 'A' Flight RAF.

Oh wow - I am SO pleased with this, thank you so much! 😊  It seems so odd that they are nowhere to be found on the Internet - I can't think why not?  Military history is normally so well documented online.  (And now to get that book - my grandfather might be in it, who knows?!)

Thank you very very much again. 🙏🏼

[wrightdw]

SSB = Seaplane Supply Barge.

There were two operating on the Dvina River, SSB1 and SSB2 servicing seaplanes from the anchorage at Troitsa village (photo in my book).

If you post the name of your Grandfather I will likely have some information on his service in Russia.

I would be interested to see any photographs you have of his time in Russia.

I cover the operations of the RAF Dvina River Flight in some detail and have several photographs of their aircrew and aircraft in my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Churchills-Secret-War-Lenin-Commonwealth/dp/1911512102