Krepost Sveaborg was an enormous building site and military camp during the first world war. There were problems to found enough places to house all works and solders. All suitable farmhouses, cottages, barns etc. were used for accommodation. Barracks, stables and other necessary buildings were built in the fortress areas. For example near the end of the war there were plans to built in Hagalund area barrack for 200 men, cookhouse and canteen for 500 men, storages for food supplies, stable for seven horses, barn and 20 seats latrine. This depot was never finished. Russian revolution interrupted the works.
Russian military camp behind the house 1916. (Photo: Svensk Förening i Åggelby)
Tents and simple barracks which were built into shallow excavations were used as a temporary accommodations. However last mentioned barracks could been used round the year also in winter. There was a regulation in Russian army instruction book for building temporary barracks. Excavation as large as the area of the barrack was dug first. It was 0,5-1 meters deep. Barrack was only simple ridge roof which covered using straws or turves. There were some openings in the upper part of the ridge roof for lighting the barrack. Entrance was in the gable of the barrack. There were also fireplace if the barrack was planned to use over winter.
Simple temporary barrack in Espoo. Note the window openings in the upper part of the roof (Photo: Espoo City Museum). In the second picture, interior of the barrack in Nupuri (Photo: Rolf Winter 1918)
More pictures about the barracks (Photo: Rolf Winter 1918):
Outside picture of barrack in Nupuri
Entrance to barrack in Nupuri
Temporary barrack for summer use (without the excavation) Picture from Russian military instruction book: Meinander, L. 1887: Oppikirja kenttälinnoitusopissa.There are plenty of shallow excavation still in the background of the defense positions. Smallest pits are only a few square meters, biggest are 20 x 20 meters. All excavations are approximately 0,5 meters deep. These excavations are probably remnants of the temporary barracks.
Rectangular shaped excavation. Länsimäki, base II. (1999)
Near the accommodation areas is found wells. Most of these wells are prop up with wooden balks. Vuosaari, battery 61. (1999)
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