Address: 8 Canal Rd, Rochester ME2 4DR
About
The U-475 Black Widow was a cold war era Soviet Navy submarine that is now privately owned. It is currently moored at Strood, on the River Medway, in South-East England.
74 Project 641-class submarines were built by the Soviet Navy between 1957 and 1983, as well as 17 others for the Libyan, Cuban and Indian navies. Black Widow was built at the Sudomekh shipyard in Leningrad and commissioned in 1967. It was based at Riga and served with the Soviet Baltic Fleet before being used as a training vessel for crews from overseas who would be operating Foxtrot-class subs in their own navies. It was decommissioned in 1993 and sold.
The submarine is currently referred to as Foxtrot B-39 U-475 Black Widow. The B- designation stands for Bolshaya (Large). In 2004, it was moved to its present location in a state of disrepair and is currently awaiting restoration.
Parking
To view the submarine, you can park along Canal Rd, Rochester. Parking here is free.
There is no parking from 10:30-11:00 am Monday to Friday. Visiting after 11 or anytime on the weekend is unrestricted.
There are no disabled parking bays.
Accessibility
The distance from the roadside parking to the submarine will be 50-100 metres, depending on where you park.
To view the submarine, you walk through strood waterfront park. The floor is level and suitable for wheelchair users.
This location is ideal for people who struggle to walk long distances, with plenty of places to sit throughout the park as well as facing out over the river. Pictures are included below.
Conclusion
Overall, this location is accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. The waterfront park is an ideal place to stop for lunch with its free parking and view of the submarine.
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