Soviet destroyer Steregushchy (1938)

The Steregushchy was a Gnevny-class destroyer built for the Soviet Navy in the late 1930s. These ships, also known as Project 7 destroyers, were heavily influenced by Italian naval architecture and represented a significant modernization of the Soviet destroyer fleet at the time.

Steregushchy was laid down in 1936, launched in 1938, and commissioned in 1939. She served primarily in the Baltic Fleet throughout her career.

Steregushchy, like her sister ships, was armed with four 130 mm (5.1 in) B-13 guns in single mounts, which served as her primary armament. She also carried anti-aircraft guns and torpedo tubes. These destroyers were intended for fleet escort, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat roles.

During World War II, Steregushchy participated in numerous naval operations in the Baltic Sea, including providing fire support to Soviet forces ashore, laying minefields, and escorting convoys. Details of specific engagements and successes for Steregushchy are somewhat limited in readily available English-language sources, but she undoubtedly played a role in the defense of Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) and other key areas.

The Gnevny-class destroyers, including Steregushchy, suffered from some design flaws, notably stability issues. Later ships in the series incorporated modifications to address these problems, but these likely did not impact the Steregushchy, being an earlier vessel.

Information on the specific date and circumstances surrounding the Steregushchy's ultimate fate is inconsistent. Some sources indicate that she was sunk during the war, while others suggest she survived until after the war and was eventually scrapped. Definitive confirmation requires further research using Russian-language sources. The lack of clarity regarding her end-of-service life highlights the challenges in compiling comprehensive historical information, particularly for vessels of this era and origin.