Civil war left a fleet stronger on paper than at sea

After the civil war, the Baltic and Black Sea fleets supplied the core from which Soviet naval power could be rebuilt. The Pacific and Northern fleets scarcely existed as operating forces, while the surviving Gangut-class battleships required extensive repair and refit. Cruiser strength ranged from ships on the harbour bottom to immobile pier queens and a much smaller number that could move under careful management. Civil war had further damaged an already weak maritime industrial and logistical system. Official fleet lists therefore concealed the condition of the ships, the bases available to them, and how few were ready for service.