The history of Russia goes back more than three centuries. During this time, hundreds of outstanding commanders were awarded the rank of admiral. Some of them played a significant role in the fate of not only the fleet, but the entire country.

Apraksin Fedor Matveevich

According to legend, the family of the famous admiral came from the aristocratic class of the Golden Horde. The Tatar-Mongol ancestor of the boyar dynasty accepted Christian baptism and married a Russian princess during the reign of Dmitry Donskoy. His distant descendant Fyodor Apraksin entered service at the royal court at a young age. Acting as a steward, he managed to gain the trust and favor of young Peter.

Apraksin's first serious government post was the position of governor in Arkhangelsk. He had the opportunity to accompany the Tsar on voyages across the White Sea. Soon after this, Apraksin received from the sovereign the rank of major and an appointment to the Semenovsky regiment. In subsequent years, he was the constant companion of the reformer emperor on all military campaigns and diplomatic missions. Apraksin took part in the second siege of Azov. As part of the Grand Embassy, ​​he visited Holland, where he became familiar with the basics of maritime affairs. Apraksin supervised the construction of ships in Voronezh, which were to become the basis of the Russian fleet. He made a huge contribution to the implementation of Peter the Great's plans to transform the country into a new maritime power. Apraksin was destined to become one of the first on the list of Russian admirals.

Commanding the army and navy in Ingria during the Northern War, he proved himself to be a prudent strategist. Apraksin managed to repel the Swedish attack on St. Petersburg and forced the Vyborg fortress to capitulate. One of the first admirals of the Russian fleet took part in the famous defeat of King Charles's squadron at Cape Gangut.

Soon after, Apraksin fell out of favor with the Tsar due to allegations of corruption. Only his previous merits saved him from severe punishment. Subsequently, Tsar Peter forgave Apraksin and appointed him governor-general of the provinces conquered from the Swedes. One of the first admirals of the Russian fleet outlived his emperor for several years and died in 1728.

This naval commander is famous for not losing a single ship in battles. Another unusual fact is that Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov has been canonized by the Orthodox Church. One of the most prominent admirals of the Russian fleet began his career in the Baltic Sea. During the first war with the Turks, he took part in the defense of the Crimean coast. Later, Ushakov commanded the personal yacht of Catherine II and defended Russian merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea from attacks by the British fleet. He fully demonstrated his brilliant abilities during the war with the Ottoman Empire of 1787-1791. Ushakov defeated superior enemy forces near the island of Fidonisi, in the Kerch Strait and at Capes Tendra and Kaliakria. In 1799 he became one of the admirals of the Russian fleet.

Ushakov retired without losing a single one of his 43 naval battles. The naval commander devoted the last years of his life to prayers and church services.

Kruzenshtern Ivan Fedorovich

The famous Russian admiral had German-Swedish roots. At birth he was given the name Adam Johann Ritter von Krusenstern. This navigator led the first Russian round-the-world expedition. Kruzenshtern entered service in the Imperial Navy with the rank of midshipman after training in the cadet corps in Kronstadt. For the valor shown in the battles of the Russian-Swedish war, he received the rank of lieutenant.

In 1799, Kruzenshtern presented to the tsarist government a project for establishing direct sea communications with the Russian colonies in America. The proposal was supported by the Academy of Sciences and approved by Alexander the First. An additional benefit of the project was to pave a more convenient route for trade with China. The expedition lasted two years. Kruzenshtern and his assistants compiled an atlas and a travel report, in which they described in detail all the lands and peoples they saw. This scientific work was translated into many European languages.

Kruzenshtern mainly devoted the subsequent years of his life to teaching. He was awarded honorary membership in the Academy of Sciences and was appointed director of the navigation school. Kruzenshtern made many improvements to the work of this educational institution. He died in 1846 on his estate in Estonia.

Nakhimov Pavel Stepanovich

He went down in history as the commander of the fleet and ground forces during the Crimean War and the siege of Sevastopol. Nakhimov studied in the St. Petersburg Marine Noble Corps and gained his first experience of sailing on a ship at the age of fifteen. After participating in a round-the-world expedition, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Nakhimov distinguished himself in a major naval battle of the combined squadron of Russia, France and England against the fleet of the Ottoman Empire. In history, this event is known as As a reward for the skillful use of artillery, Nakhimov was appointed captain of a captured ship.

During the Crimean War, he carried out a brilliant operation to block and destroy the Turkish fleet in the harbor of the city of Sinop. Nakhimov received the rank of admiral and was appointed military governor of Sevastopol. He commanded the city's defense and maintained the morale of soldiers and officers. In 1855, while at the forefront, Nakhimov received a fatal bullet wound. The admiral was buried in the crypt of the Cathedral of St. Vladimir in Sevastopol.

The commander of the Russian fleet in the Baltic Sea came from a family of Baltic Germans. His ancestors served the empire since the time of Peter the Great. After graduating from the cadet corps and the naval academy, Nikolai Essen received the rank of lieutenant and, in the process of developing his future career, commanded several ships, including the battleship Sevastopol. The admiral's name went down in history in connection with the Russian-Japanese War. After the surrender of the Port Arthur fortress, he sank the Sevastopol so that the ship would not fall to the enemy. Essen was taken to Nagasaki as a prisoner of war, but was released two months later. After returning to St. Petersburg, he received the Order of St. George as a reward for his brave actions.

During the First World War, Essen commanded the Baltic Fleet. Many considered him the most capable Russian admiral of that time. Nikolai Essen died unexpectedly in 1915 as a result of illness. A frigate of the Russian Navy is named after him.

Kolchak Alexander Vasilievich

The last admiral of the empire became the recognized leader of the White movement. Alexander Kolchak had enormous authority among opponents of the Bolsheviks. During the Civil War, he headed the Provisional Siberian Government located in Omsk. Kolchak's attempts to unite all anti-Bolshevik forces were unsuccessful. After the White movement was on the verge of defeat, the Czech allies handed over the admiral to the Red Army. Kolchak was executed without trial. The place of his burial is unknown.

In the Russian Empire, 189 people were awarded the rank of admiral. The first of them was the last associate of Peter the Great - Alexander Kolchak. In the USSR, this title began to be awarded in 1940. In total, 79 Soviet naval commanders received it. By decision of Joseph Stalin, a higher rank corresponding to a land marshal was established - fleet admiral. Soon after the collapse of the USSR it was canceled.

Russian Federation

Many Soviet admirals remained in service in the Russian Navy. The awarding of the highest naval rank continued into the new era. The list of admirals of the Russian Federation includes 35 people. Since 1992, six holders of this rank have served as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy:

1. Gromov Felix Nikolaevich.
2. Kuroyedov Vladimir Ivanovich.
3. Masorin Vladimir Vasilievich.
4. Vysotsky Vladimir Sergeevich.
5. Korolev Vladimir Ivanovich.

The predecessor of the current commander-in-chief, Viktor Viktorovich Chirkov, was forced to resign due to health problems. The Minister of Defense presented Admiral Korolev with the Navy standard in April 2016.

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Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolev, took part in the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Legendary Naval Commander”

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolev, took part in the ceremony of transferring unique items, orders and medals of twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union S.G., to the foundation of the Victory Museum on Poklonnaya Hill. Gorshkova. All of them were donated to the Victory Museum by members of S.G.’s family. Gorshkov and are directly related to the life and activities of the famous Russian Commander-in-Chief of the Navy.

The ceremony of the ceremonial transfer of unique exhibits to the Victory Museum and the opening of the exhibition “Legendary Naval Commander” was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, the military attaches of Cuba, Germany, Egypt, the executive director of the Russian Military Historical Society Vladislav Kononov, the Commanders-in-Chief of the Navy, who headed the Fleet in different years, representatives The Main Command of the Navy of the Russian Federation, the Navy Admirals Club, the head of Kolomna Denis Lebedev, students and cadets of Moscow schools No. 1590, 167, 875, the Navigation School, Gymnasium No. 9 in Kolomna and many others.

The daughter and granddaughters of the legendary admiral - Elena Sergeevna, Ekaterina Alexandrovna and Tatyana Ivanovna - donated 92 domestic and foreign awards, personal documents and photographs, and items of uniform to the Victory Museum.

These items formed the basis of the “Legendary Naval Commander” exhibition, which opened at the Victory Museum. Among the awards there are such rare ones as the Order of Ushakov, 1st degree, which was awarded to only 26 people (11 of them twice). This order is the third rarest issued order of the USSR. In addition, the exhibition displays two Gold Star medals, seven Orders of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, the Order of Ushakov II degree, the Order of Kutuzov I degree, and other domestic and foreign awards.

“There are many famous names in the history of Russia, but the name of Sergei Georgievich Gorshkov stands out in a separate line,” emphasized the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy in his speech at the ceremony, Admiral Vladimir Korolev.

He especially noted, “Next year we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of our country’s ocean-going nuclear missile fleet, and Admiral Gorshkov played a colossal role in its creation.”

According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, “The era of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy S.G. Gorshkova was the foundation for the further development and construction of the Russian Navy, and gave a new impetus to the development of naval art for a huge future. We still feel the significant influence that S.G. Gorshkov influenced all areas of the Navy - the use of forces, the naval presence of our ships in the World Ocean, the construction of the surface and submarine fleet, and the development of basing infrastructure.

From this position, we need to consider the importance and significance of the exhibition that will open at the Victory Museum,” said the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolev, on the eve of the event.

“The Victory Museum is a holy place, so this is where we are transferring Sergei Georgievich’s things,” explained the admiral’s granddaughter Tatyana Ivanovna. - Grandfather said, you may forget to congratulate me on my birthday, but always remember Victory Day. We believe that in the museum his awards and things will be better preserved and will bring more benefits to society. So that future generations remember and know how to love and glorify their country.”

The great-grandson of the legendary naval commander, five-year-old Sergei, in a solemn ceremony handed over the orders of his great-grandfather to the director of the Victory Museum, Alexander Shkolnik.

“The personal archive, things and awards of Sergei Georgievich will take a worthy place in our exhibition and will be forever stored in the Victory Museum,” said Alexander Shkolnik. “A low bow to the family of Sergei Georgievich for this truly priceless gift.”

Accompanied by a company of the Honor Guard, the orders were solemnly placed in a display case, where from now on they became available for viewing to everyone.

Also on display at the Victory Museum are models of ships that Sergei Georgievich commanded during the Great Patriotic War, models of new types of ships and nuclear submarines created under the leadership of Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union S.G. Gorshkova. Some of the exhibits for the exhibition came from the school museum of Kolomna Gymnasium No. 9, which the famous naval commander graduated from.

Admiral Gorshkov headed the USSR Navy for a record 30 years and was the creator of the domestic nuclear missile fleet.

Today, on the last Sunday of July, Russia traditionally celebrates Navy Day. The “Historian” proposes on this day to remember the great naval commanders who victoriously served their Motherland and increased the glory of the Russian fleet.

GRIGORY ANDREEVICH SPIRIDOV

Grigory Andreevich Spiridov was born in 1713 into the family of the commandant of Vyborg, which had recently been conquered from the Swedes. At the age of 10, he volunteered to serve on one of the best ships of the Baltic Fleet, St. Alexander. In 1728, on the recommendation of the ship’s commander, young Spiridov was sent to the Naval Academy, and after graduating as an officer, to the Don Flotilla, where, acting against the Turks on the Sea of ​​Azov, the future naval commander gained his first combat experience.

Over the next 20 years, Grigory Spiridov rose from midshipman to rear admiral, commander of a squadron on the Baltic Sea. During his years of service, he showed extraordinary teaching talents, so in 1755 he became one of the first teachers of the newly formed Naval Cadet Corps of the Gentry. In 1761 he led the landing of troops near the Prussian fortress of Kolberg. After the end of the Seven Years' War, he headed first the Kronstadt, then the Revel port and ultimately became the commander of the Baltic Fleet.

When the war with Turkey began in 1768, the Baltic Fleet was tasked with sailing around Europe in order to begin combat operations in the Mediterranean theater. The expedition was called the Archipelago, as they hoped to cause mass uprisings among the Greeks and Slavic peoples inhabiting the Balkan Peninsula. General management was carried out by Alexey Orlov, and command of the fleet was entrusted to Grigory Spiridov. On June 24, 1770, he won the Battle of Chios, after which the Turks retreated to Chesme Bay under the protection of coastal batteries. Grigory Spiridov developed a plan that combined artillery shelling of the enemy from short distances and an attack on fire ships. Thanks to this, on the night of June 25-26, it was possible to set fire to most of the Turkish ships.

The admiral spent the next four years among the islands of the Greek archipelago, blockading the Dardanelles and intercepting Turkish ships in the Aegean Sea.

In June 1773, Grigory Spiridov retired for health reasons. He died in 1790 in Moscow.

FYODOR FYODOROVICH USHAKOV

Born in 1745 in the family of a sergeant of the Life Guards Regiment. After graduating from the Naval Cadet Corps in 1766, he was sent to serve in the Baltic Fleet. When the Russian-Turkish War began in 1768, Lieutenant Fyodor Ushakov was appointed commander of the Don (Azov) Flotilla No. eagle". Soon, the promising officer was appointed commander of the imperial yacht, but the court career did not appeal to Ushakov, and he achieved a transfer to the battleship Victor, commanding which he participated in the implementation of the “policy of armed neutrality” in the Mediterranean Sea.

Since 1783, Fyodor Ushakov served in the Black Sea Fleet. For his services in the fight against the plague epidemic in Kherson, in 1785 he received his first award - the Order of St. Vladimir, IV degree. The beginning of the next Russian-Turkish war in 1787 found Fyodor Ushakov in the position of commander of the battleship "St. Paul". The next year, already commanding the vanguard of the squadron, in the battle of Fidonisi he managed to win the first victory on the Black Sea over superior Turkish forces. In 1789, Fyodor Ushakov received the rank of rear admiral. In 1790, he won brilliant victories at the Kerch Strait and Tendra, and a year later at Cape Kaliakria.

The pinnacle of Fyodor Ushakov’s career was the Mediterranean campaign. Russian sailors stormed the strong fortress of Corfu and liberated a significant part of Italy from the French.

In all battles, Fedor Ushakov adhered to active offensive tactics. Thanks to his supreme naval skill, he always defeated superior enemy forces. The famous admiral did not lose a single ship in battle, not a single subordinate was captured. In 2001, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized Fyodor Ushakov.

MIKHAIL PETROVICH LAZAREV

Born in 1788 in the family of Senator Pyotr Gavrilovich Lazarev. In 1800, together with his two brothers, who also became admirals, he entered the Naval Cadet Corps. In 1803, among the best midshipmen, he was sent for an internship in the British Navy, which lasted until 1808.
In 1813, Lieutenant Lazarev was appointed commander of the sloop Suvorov belonging to the Russian-American campaign. The ship was to travel around the world and deliver cargo to the stronghold of Russian settlements in Alaska, Novo-Arkhangelsk. During this journey, Mikhail Lazarev made his first geographical discovery - he discovered a small atoll in the South Pacific Ocean, named after Alexander Suvorov.

The sloops Vostok and Mirny on a Soviet postage stamp from 1965The sloops Vostok and Mirny on a Soviet postage stamp

In 1819, the Russian government, at the insistence of famous navigators Ivan Krusenstern and Otto Kotzebue, decided to equip an expedition to the south polar waters in search of the supposed continent, then called “Terra Australis incognita”. For this purpose, two sloops were allocated: “Vostok” under the command of Thaddeus Bellingshausen and “Mirny”, the command of which was assigned to Mikhail Lazarev, who had recently returned from a circumnavigation of the world. On July 3, the ships left Kronstadt, and January 16, 1820 became the date of the discovery of the new continent - Antarctica. Until March, the Russian expedition explored the southern polar waters, after which deteriorating ice conditions forced it to leave for the Australian port of Jackson. After repairs and rest, the crews of “Vostok” and “Mirny” again headed to Antarctica and on January 9, 1821 discovered an island named after Peter I. On July 24, the expedition returned to Russia. For outstanding services, Mikhail Lazarev was promoted to captain of the second rank, bypassing the rank of captain-lieutenant.

In 1822–1825, Mikhail Lazarev, commanding the frigate "Cruiser", made his third circumnavigation of the world. It should be noted that the Ladoga transport accompanying the frigate was commanded by his older brother, Lieutenant Commander Andrei Petrovich Lazarev. The “Cruiser” spent about a year off the coast of Russian America, protecting territorial waters from smugglers, until it was replaced by the sloop “Enterprise” under the command of another famous Russian navigator, Otto Kotzebue.

Upon returning to Russia, Mikhail Lazarev was promoted to captain of the 1st rank and appointed commander of the battleship Azov. In the Battle of Navarino, he fought with five enemy ships at once, sinking two large frigates and one corvette, burning the flagship of Tagir Pasha, and also forcing a battleship to run aground. For this feat, Mikhail Lazarev was promoted to rear admiral, and Azov received the stern St. George flag.

His further fate turned out to be firmly connected with the Black Sea Fleet. In June 1833, commanding a squadron, Mikhail Lazarev led an expedition to the Bosphorus, as a result of which it was possible to conclude the Unkyar-Iskelesi Treaty, which was beneficial for Russia. In 1834, he received the rank of vice admiral and became commander of the Black Sea Fleet.

As soon as he took office, the new commander immediately set about improving the ship's personnel. New battleships and frigates were intensively built. Mikhail Lazarev personally made a number of design improvements to the spar and sailing rig, and also introduced a more streamlined stern shape and changed the angle of the stem. He was one of the first in the Russian fleet to take the initiative to build steam ships with an iron hull.

His special merit in this post was the training of a whole galaxy of talented sailors who went down in Russian history under the collective term “Lazarev school”. The future heroes of the Crimean War Pavel Nakhimov and Vladimir Kornilov enjoyed special respect from the admiral. The latter recalled that during his years of service as a midshipman on the battleship Azov, Mikhail Lazarev, not approving of the young officer’s excessive passion for French novels, threw his library overboard, replacing him with useful books from his own.

Throughout almost his entire life until his death in 1851, Mikhail Lazarev harmoniously combined the talents of a naval commander, researcher and teacher.

PAVEL STEPANovich NAKHIMOV

Born in 1802 into the poor family of a retired major. He was the fourth oldest among the brothers. Since childhood, he fell in love with the navy and dreamed of becoming a naval officer, and although he submitted an application for enrollment in the Naval Corps back in 1813, young Nakhimov was accepted only two years later, since he had previously been refused due to lack of places.

In February 1818, at the age of fifteen and a half, Pavel Nakhimov was promoted to midshipman. He spent his first two campaigns as the watch commander of the small tender "Janus" and even then fully demonstrated a conscientious attitude to service, excellent knowledge of maritime affairs and the ability to work with sailors. Soon, word of the midshipman’s talents spread throughout the fleet, and Mikhail Lazarev took him on the frigate “Cruiser” on a circumnavigation of the world. Thus began their joint service, which lasted almost thirty years.

For his distinction during the circumnavigation of the world, Pavel Nakhimov was promoted to lieutenant. In March 1826, he was assigned to the battleship Azov and during the Battle of Navarino “acted with excellent courage.” On April 28, 1828, Russian sailors captured the Turkish corvette "Eastern Star", which was renamed "Navarin" and included in the Mediterranean squadron. The command of the prize was entrusted to Pavel Nakhimov.

In 1831, Nakhimov was appointed to the post of commander of the frigate Pallada. Very quickly he turned it into one of the best ships of the Baltic Fleet. However, Pavel Nakhimov did not have long to command the frigate, which in the future was to go down in history: in 1834 he was transferred to the Black Sea Fleet, appointed commander of the battleship Silistria, and in 1845 he was awarded the rank of rear admiral.

In 1852, Pavel Nakhimov became vice admiral and head of the naval division. With the beginning of the Crimean War, he blocked the main forces of the Turkish fleet in Sinop Bay and defeated them. This battle went down in history as the last battle of the sailing fleets.

When enemies began to besiege Sevastopol, Nakhimov, together with Vice Admiral Vladimir Kornilov, led the defense of the city. On June 28 (July 10), 1855, he was mortally wounded by a bullet in the head on Malakhov Kurgan and died two days later. The famous admiral was buried in the crypt of the Vladimir Cathedral next to Mikhail Lazarev and Vladimir Kornilov.

STEPAN OSIPOVICH MAKAROV

Like Mikhail Lazarev, he combined not only naval leadership, but also research talents. Stepan Makarov was born in 1848 in Nikolaev into the family of an ensign. In 1858, the family moved to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, and Stepan Makarov, at the age of 10, was admitted to the Nikolaev Naval School, which he graduated from in 1865. Immediately after graduation, he was assigned to the steamship America and was promoted to midshipman in 1869.

Makarov's officer service began on the turret armored boat "Rusalka". During one of the voyages, when the ship hit a rock, it received a hole, which, due to a lack of drainage equipment and the lack of proper organization of the fight for survivability, almost led to the death of the ship. Analyzing this case, Stepan Makarov published an article in the magazine “Sea Collection” in 1870, in which he first expressed his views on unsinkability and proposed a number of technical improvements, including a patch for sealing holes. This work laid the foundation for the study of ship survivability from a scientific point of view.

In 1877, with the beginning of the new Russian-Turkish war, Stepan Makarov, commanding the steamship "Grand Duke Konstantin", used a mine as an offensive weapon for the first time in history, repeatedly successfully attacking Turkish ships with small mine boats.

In 1886–1889, Stepan Makarov circumnavigated the world on the corvette Vityaz, during which he was able to obtain important results in the field of hydrography.

While serving as chief inspector of naval artillery, he proposed so-called Makarov caps made of mild steel for shells, which significantly increased their penetrating ability.

Other important services of Stepan Makarov to the Fatherland include the construction of the world's first linear icebreaker "Ermak", on which he made an expedition to Franz Josef Land in 1901.

With the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, Makarov was appointed commander of the Pacific squadron. Arriving in Port Arthur, he significantly intensified the actions of Russian ships, but on April 13, 1904, the flagship battleship Petropavlovsk, on which the admiral was at that moment, was blown up by a Japanese mine and sank. The body of Stepan Makarov was never found.

Russian history knows many examples of selfless service to the Fatherland. Our soldiers showed valor and courage in battles on land and at sea. Today, on Russian Navy Day, we remember 7 great Russian admirals.

Glorious heroes who dedicated their lives to the cause of the Fatherland adorned the military chronicle of the Russian Empire with their exploits.

Fedor Apraksin

Count Fyodor Matveevich Apraksin was an associate of Peter the Great, so it is not surprising that the future admiral stood at the origins of the Russian fleet. He was able to advance, like his two brothers - Peter and Andrei, thanks to the marriage of his sister, who became the second wife of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich. He began his service, like many of Peter’s favorites, in the Amusement Regiments. In 1692, being the governor of Arkhangelsk, he built a ship, which, to the great joy of the sovereign, became a merchant ship. Before the tsar's trip abroad in 1697, Apraksin was in charge of shipbuilding in Voronezh. Three years later he became the head of the Admiralty Prikaz and the governor of Azov. In 1708 he received the title of admiral general. Under the command of Apraksin, the Russian fleet took part in the Northern War and in the campaign against Persia. For the first time in the history of the Russian fleet, in 1714, they won a naval battle with the Swedes at Cape Gangut.

Alexander Menshikov

The right hand of Peter the Great, Aleksashka, managed to demonstrate the passionate qualities of his ebullient nature in many fields, including in maritime affairs. Almost all instructions and directives that the sovereign sent to the troops passed through the hands of Alexander Danilovich Menshikov. Often Peter presented an idea, and Menshikov found the best embodiment for it. He had many ranks and regalia, including in 1726 he became a full admiral. On the day of the signing of the Peace of Nystadt, which ended the many years of war with the Swedes, Menshikov received the rank of vice admiral. After that, he focused on the internal structure of the Russian fleet, and from 1718 he was responsible for the arrangement of all Russian armed forces. His great-grandson Alexander Sergeevich Menshikov was also an outstanding admiral who commanded the fleet in the Crimean War.

Ferdinand Wrangel

A descendant of the Baltic Germans, Baron Wrangel is known to the average person primarily as an ardent opponent of the sale of Alaska to the United States, which is not surprising - Wrangel was the ruler of Russian America for 6 years. During this time, he personally explored the territory from the Bering Strait to California and founded a meteorological observatory. The rank of rear admiral was awarded to Wrangel in 1836. During his life, the admiral made three trips around the world, led an expedition along the northeastern coast of Siberia and led a circumnavigation of the world on the Meek, and actively collaborated with the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg and the Russian Geographical Society.

Pavel Nakhimov

The famous Russian admiral, perhaps, was able to show his talent for the first time during the Crimean War, when the Black Sea squadron under his command, in stormy weather, discovered and blocked the main forces of the Turkish fleet in Sinop. During this 1853 battle, the Turkish fleet was destroyed in a matter of hours. According to some historians, this was the “swan song” of the sailing fleet. For this victory, Nakhimov was awarded the Highest Certificate of His Imperial Majesty Nicholas with the words: “With the extermination of the Turkish squadron, you adorned the chronicle of the Russian fleet with a new victory.” Nakhimov also led the defense of Sevastopol from 1855. After the sinking of the Russian fleet, he took a strategic approach to the defense of the city. The soldiers and sailors who defended the southern part of Sevastopol under his leadership called the admiral a “father-benefactor.”

Fedor Ushakov

Admiral Ushakov commanded the Black Sea Fleet, participated in the Russian-Turkish War, during which he made a huge contribution to the development of tactical warfare by the sailing fleet. He received his first award in 1783 for the successful victory over the plague that raged in Kherson. The admiral always tried to approach war as a creative process. For example, he boldly commanded the reorganization of the fleet, which was already approaching the enemy, thereby preventing the enemy from taking the most advantageous positions. His actions were distinguished by extraordinary courage and determination. He boldly advanced his ship to the first positions, choosing one of the most dangerous positions and thereby showing an excellent example of courage to his commanders. A sober assessment of the situation, accurate calculation taking into account all factors of success and a swift attack - this is what allowed the admiral to emerge victorious in many battles. Ushakov can also rightly be called the founder of the Russian school of tactical combat in naval art. For his military exploits, he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Vladimir Shmidt

Admiral Schmidt's ancestors were employed by Peter the Great in the 17th century as shipwrights from Frankfurt am Main. Schmidt participated in the Crimean War, defended Sevastopol and led naval operations in the Russian-Turkish War. For his valor in battles, he was awarded the golden broadsword “For Bravery” and the Order of St. George, IV degree. In 1855 alone he was wounded four times: in the right side of the head and chest, in the left side of the forehead with a bomb fragment, in the index finger of the left hand and in the left leg. By 1898, he became a full admiral and knight of all orders existing at that time in Russia. Cape Schmidt on Russky Island is named after him.

Alexander Kolchak

In addition to the fact that Admiral Kolchak was the leader of the White movement and the Supreme Ruler of Russia, he was also an outstanding oceanographer, one of the largest polar explorers, a participant in three polar expeditions, and the author of the monograph “What Fleet Does Russia Need.” The admiral developed the theoretical foundations for preparing and conducting joint army operations on land and at sea. In 1908 he lectured at the Maritime Academy. He took part in the Russian-Japanese War, including its longest battle - the defense of Port Arthur. During the First World War he commanded a division of destroyer ships of the Baltic Fleet, and from the 16th-17th years - the Black Sea Fleet.

Russian history knows many examples of selfless service to the Fatherland. Our soldiers showed valor and courage in battles on land and at sea. Today we remember 7 great Russian admirals.

Fedor Apraksin

Count Fyodor Matveevich Apraksin was an associate of Peter the Great, so it is not surprising that the future admiral stood at the origins of the Russian fleet. He was able to advance, like his two brothers - Peter and Andrei, thanks to the marriage of his sister, who became the second wife of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich. He began his service, like many of Peter’s favorites, in the Amusement Regiments. In 1692, being the governor of Arkhangelsk, he built a ship, which, to the great joy of the sovereign, became a merchant ship. Before the tsar's trip abroad in 1697, Apraksin was in charge of shipbuilding in Voronezh. Three years later he became the head of the Admiralty Prikaz and the governor of Azov. In 1708 he received the title of admiral general. Under the command of Apraksin, the Russian fleet took part in the Northern War and in the campaign against Persia. For the first time in the history of the Russian fleet, in 1714, they won a naval battle with the Swedes at Cape Gangut.

Alexander Menshikov

The right hand of Peter the Great, Aleksashka, managed to demonstrate the passionate qualities of his ebullient nature in many fields, including in maritime affairs. Almost all instructions and directives that the sovereign sent to the troops passed through the hands of Alexander Danilovich Menshikov. Often Peter presented an idea, and Menshikov found the best embodiment for it. He had many ranks and regalia, including in 1726 he became a full admiral. On the day of the signing of the Peace of Nystadt, which ended the many years of war with the Swedes, Menshikov received the rank of vice admiral. After that, he focused on the internal structure of the Russian fleet, and from 1718 he was responsible for the arrangement of all Russian armed forces. His great-grandson Alexander Sergeevich Menshikov was also an outstanding admiral who commanded the fleet in the Crimean War.

Ferdinand Wrangel

A descendant of the Baltic Germans, Baron Wrangel is known to the average person primarily as an ardent opponent of the sale of Alaska to the United States, which is not surprising - Wrangel was the ruler of Russian America for 6 years. During this time, he personally explored the territory from the Bering Strait to California and founded a meteorological observatory. The rank of rear admiral was awarded to Wrangel in 1836. During his life, the admiral made three trips around the world, led an expedition along the northeastern coast of Siberia and led a circumnavigation of the world on the Krotkoy, and actively collaborated with the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg and the Russian Geographical Society.

Pavel Nakhimov

The famous Russian admiral, perhaps, was able to show his talent for the first time during the Crimean War, when the Black Sea squadron under his command, in stormy weather, discovered and blocked the main forces of the Turkish fleet in Sinop. During this 1853 battle, the Turkish fleet was destroyed in a matter of hours. According to some historians, this was the “swan song” of the sailing fleet. For this victory, Nakhimov was awarded the Highest Certificate of His Imperial Majesty Nicholas with the words: “With the extermination of the Turkish squadron, you adorned the chronicle of the Russian fleet with a new victory.” Nakhimov also led the defense of Sevastopol from 1855. After the sinking of the Russian fleet, he took a strategic approach to the defense of the city. The soldiers and sailors who defended the southern part of Sevastopol under his leadership called the admiral a “father-benefactor.”

Fedor Ushakov

Admiral Ushakov commanded the Black Sea Fleet, participated in the Russian-Turkish War, during which he made a huge contribution to the development of tactical warfare by the sailing fleet. He received his first award in 1783 for the successful victory over the plague that raged in Kherson. The admiral always tried to approach war as a creative process. For example, he boldly commanded the reorganization of the fleet, which was already approaching the enemy, thereby preventing the enemy from taking the most advantageous positions. His actions were distinguished by extraordinary courage and determination. He boldly advanced his ship to the first positions, choosing one of the most dangerous positions and thereby showing an excellent example of courage to his commanders. A sober assessment of the situation, accurate calculation taking into account all the factors of success and a swift attack - this is what allowed the admiral to emerge victorious in many battles. Ushakov can also rightly be called the founder of the Russian school of tactical combat in naval art. For his military exploits, he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Vladimir Shmidt

In addition to the fact that Admiral Kolchak was the leader of the White movement and the Supreme Ruler of Russia, he was also an outstanding oceanographer, one of the largest polar explorers, a participant in three polar expeditions, and the author of the monograph “What Fleet Does Russia Need.” The admiral developed the theoretical foundations for preparing and conducting joint army operations on land and at sea. In 1908 he lectured at the Maritime Academy. He took part in the Russian-Japanese War, including its longest battle - the defense of Port Arthur. During the First World War, he commanded a division of destroyer ships of the Baltic Fleet, and from the 16-17s - the Black Sea Fleet.