EML Wambola (M311)

EML "Wambola" (M311) is a "Lindau"-class minehunter of the Estonian Navy Mineships Division, formerly the German warship "Cuxhaven". The commanding officer of the vessel is Captain Jaanus Antson.The minehunter "Wambola" is the first vessel of the Estonian Navy Mineships Division and also the first modernized "Lindau" class minehunter. A black keel on a silver background with a golden battle-axe is on the coat of arms of the vessel. The battle-axe is a weapon used by the ancient Estonians which also symbolizes their fighting spirit and strength. The ships motto is the Latin "Ad unquem" which is in English "Onto the nail head". The coat of arms was designed by Priit Herodes. In 2000 a cooperation contract was signed between the Pärnu city council and the minehunter "Wambola" which gave the vessel a right to wear the Pärnu town coat of arms and to introduce the city in all foreign harbors across the world.

History

The EML "Wambola" (M311) was built in West Germany, in a Burmester shipyard in Bremen. The vessel was launched on 11 March 1959 and she entered service in the same year. The ship's name comes from the city of Cuxhaven in Germany. Originally "Cuxhaven" was a minelayer but was transformed into a minehunter in late 1970s. The German Navy decommissioned "Cuxhaven" and one of her twin sisters "Lindau" on 9 October 2003 and gave the vessels to the Estonian Navy to operate. On the ceremony the vessel received an Estonian name "Wambola". [http://www.mil.ee/?menu=merevagi&sisu=wambola ENS Wambola (M311)]

Gallery

ee also

*BALTRON project
*EML Sulev (M312)
*EML Admiral Cowan (M313)
*EML Sakala (M314)
*EML Ugandi (M315)

References

External links

* [http://www.mil.ee/uusmil/index.php?menu=merevagi&sisu=mev Estonian Navy]