Spiridov Grigory Andreevich: short biography. Spiridov Grigory Andreevich - biography of G. and what did Spiridov become famous for?

, Russian-Turkish War (1768-1774). He became famous for the defeat of the Turkish fleet during the Battle of Chesme.

Biography

Origin

Grigory Spiridov was born into the family of nobleman Andrei Alekseevich Spiridov (1680-1745), who served during the time of Peter I as commandant of Vyborg recaptured from the Swedes, and his wife Anna Vasilyevna Korotneva.

Start of service

Gregory joined the navy as a volunteer in 1723; received the rank of midshipman at the age of 15 after passing exams in the course of navigational sciences. He began to carry out active service in the Caspian Sea, where, under the command of Alexey Nagaev, a hydrographer and subsequently an admiral, he commanded, in particular, the hookboats “St. Catherine” and “Shah-Dagai”. I walked from Astrakhan to the shores of Persia. In 1732 he was transferred to Kronstadt and promoted to midshipman ahead of schedule; every year he set sail in the Baltic Sea.

In 1754, he received the rank of captain of the 3rd rank and was sent to Kazan with the aim of organizing the supply of wood to the capital's Admiralty. In 1755 he became a member of the commission, the purpose of which was to review the regulations for the Navy, and in 1756 he headed with the rank of company commander

Naval commanders. Grigory Spiridov, Fedor Ushakov, Dmitry Senyavin, Pavel Nakhimov, Vladimir Kornilov

Editor Candidate of Historical Sciences N. A. Kopylov

Editor-compiler Doctor of Historical Sciences M. Yu. Myagkov

Spiridov Grigory Andreevich

The future naval commander was born in 1713 to the family of nobleman Andrei Alekseevich Spiridov (1680–1745), who served as commandant in Vyborg during the time of Peter I. From early childhood, Gregory found himself connected with the sea. Already at the age of 10, he was registered as a volunteer on a ship and went to sea as a volunteer for five years in a row. In 1728, having passed exams for knowledge of maritime science, he was promoted to midshipman and entered active military service. The young naval officer was sent to the Caspian Sea, to Astrakhan, where for several years, commanding the gekbots (three-masted cargo ships) “St. Catherine" and "Shah-Dagai", made voyages to the shores of Persia. Here he participated in the work of A.I. Nagaev, a future famous hydrographer and admiral, but for now a lieutenant who made an inventory of the Caspian Sea.

Battles and victories

Outstanding Russian naval commander, full admiral (1769).

The admiral's long naval career led him to the Mediterranean Sea - to his main battle at Chesma. Then, in one night, the Turks lost 63 ships in Chesme Bay - battleships, caravels, galleys, and galliots. Turkish losses amounted to more than 10,000 people. The losses of the Russian combined squadron amounted to 11 people: 8 on the battleship "Europe", 3 on the battleship "Don't Touch Me".

In 1732, Spiridov was transferred to Kronstadt, from where he made annual voyages around the Baltic. His zeal for service did not go without reward - he received the rank of midshipman ahead of schedule. In February 1737, a new appointment followed - to the Don Flotilla, where he became an adjutant of the “rank of captain” of its commander, Vice Admiral P. P. Bredal. This position allowed Spiridov to gain initial combat experience - the flotilla took part in the fight for Azov during the Russian-Turkish War of 1735–1741.

In 1741, G. A. Spiridov was assigned to the port of Arkhangelsk, and his life was connected with the northern seas for more than three decades. Twice he had the opportunity to make a difficult transition from Arkhangelsk to Kronstadt on newly built ships (in 1742–1743 and 1752); after being transferred to the Baltic, he annually made voyages from Kronstadt along the Baltic Sea and along the Neva. The service was successful - the relatively young sailor repeatedly received important assignments. So, in 1747 he commanded the frigate “Russia”, on which Prince Augustus of Holstein went to Kiel; in 1749 he was sent to attend the Moscow Admiralty office; in 1750 he commanded the court yachts.

In 1754, Spiridov, already a captain of the 3rd rank, was sent to Kazan to organize the delivery of ship timber to the St. Petersburg Admiralty. Despite the fact that he did not feel any particular desire to take on this responsible assignment, he completed it quite successfully, and upon returning from Kazan, in 1755, he became a member of the commission for reviewing the regulations for the fleet, and the following year he was appointed company commander commander in the Marine Corps.

E. V. Paskhina. Admiral of the Fleet Grigory Spiridov. 2005 or later. Relief, bronze. Alley of Generals, Yaroslavl.

Annual voyages enriched Spiridov's experience as a naval officer, but his (and the entire Baltic Fleet) combat experience was small. Only in 1760–1761. For the first time, G. A. Spiridov had the opportunity to participate in a large-scale military operation - the fight for the Pomeranian fortress of Kolberg during the Seven Years' War. This powerful fortress was surrounded by a ditch and swamps, among which there were separate raised hills; on a hill dominating the area, there was a citadel. For the Russian army, the capture of Kolberg was of great importance, since it would thereby acquire a strategically advantageous bridgehead in Pomerania and the ability to supply the army by sea, cheaper and faster than the land route through Poland.

The first attempt to take Kolberg was made back in 1758, but ended in failure. And in 1760 the siege was repeated. Spiridov took part in it, commanding the ship “St. Dmitry Rostovsky"; On the campaign he was accompanied by his young sons, 8 and 10 years old. This attempt also ended in failure - despite the significant forces drawn to the fortress, there was no interaction between the ground and naval forces, moreover, rumors about the approach of the 6,000-strong Prussian corps of General Werner to the aid of the besieged caused confusion in the camp of the besiegers, and the Russian army hastily retreated from the city.

Finally, at the end of the summer of 1761, actions against the “annoying fortress” were resumed, and now P. A. Rumyantsev’s 15,000-strong corps was acting against it. To help him, a combined Russian-Swedish fleet arrived to Kolberg, consisting of 24 battleships, 12 frigates and bombardment ships, a large number of transport ships under the command of Vice Admiral A.I. Polyansky, which delivered 7,000 reinforcements. The sheer number of troops shows how much importance was attached to the capture of Kolberg. Spiridov in this campaign commanded the ship "St. Andrew the First-Called." The blockade of the fortress from the sea lasted from August 14 to September 26. The bomber ships, on which the commander of the Kronstadt squadron S.I. Mordvinov was located, were deployed against enemy batteries. To help the siege corps, a landing force of two thousand was landed, the command of which was entrusted to “Mr. Navy Captain Grigory Spiridov.” This detachment first took part in the unloading of provisions, and then was sent into battle, and its commander again showed his best side. Mordvinov wrote to the empress that he “repeatedly heard about the brave deeds of Captain Spiridov’s fleet, in which Spiridov was given to him by gr. Rumyantsev’s certificate will be certified.” However, neither Mordvinov nor Spiridov had a chance to see the result of the operation - the fall of Kohlberg: a lack of provisions and firewood forced the fleet to return to Kronstadt in mid-October.

Portrait of G. A. Spiridov on a stamp of the USSR Post. 1987

We entrusted our Vice Admiral Spiridov with some expedition, for the sake of Adm. - the board has the right to provide him with all kinds of assistance at his request.

In 1762, Spiridov, promoted to rear admiral, commanded a squadron sent to cruise to the shores of Pomerania. The squadron anchored in the roadstead in Kolberg, from where two ships took turns setting sail. The service went on calmly; there was no need to seize other people’s transports or protect one’s own—military operations had already ceased. In August 1762, a squadron of 7 ships returned to Revel, entered the harbor and disarmed there.

And again a calm and stable promotion. On May 4, 1764, Spiridov was promoted to vice admiral and commanded the Kronstadt squadron. Then, from July of the same year, he replaced the ill Admiral Polyansky as commander of the Revel Fleet, and in October, after Polyansky’s death, he became the main commander of the Revel port. He remained in this position for a year - in December 1765 he was transferred to the chief commander of the port in Kronstadt. In 1768, he was present at experiments on a new system of rigging and sails, developed by S. K. Greig based on the English system, and had to give an official opinion on it. Spiridov’s opinion was notable for its balance: the new system, by making the rigging easier, actually increased the speed of the vessel; but it was not applicable on all ships. Therefore, ship captains were asked to independently decide whether to introduce innovation on their ship or leave everything the old fashioned way.

Such was the naval career of G. A. Spiridov at the beginning of the Russian-Turkish War of 1768–1774, which became his finest hour. When in St. Petersburg, according to the project of A.G. Orlov, a bold and broad plan of combined actions on land and sea off the Turkish coast was drawn up, with the goal of raising the population of the Balkan Peninsula and the Archipelago against the Turks, Spiridov was entrusted with command of the squadron.

The goals of the campaign were kept secret; tipsy sailors on the shore talked about a campaign to Azov. On June 4, 1769, Spiridov was promoted to admiral and officially appointed commander of the fleet equipped for the campaign.

How to evaluate this appointment? The French diplomat and political writer K. Ruliere characterized Spiridov as a direct, simple and courageous man, with a rough but easy-going disposition. In his opinion, Spiridov owes his rise to the Orlov brothers, whom he knew when he himself was a naval non-commissioned officer, and they were sergeants. He rose with them, although he was completely devoid of experience and talent, and remained commander of the fleet in name only, leaving the work to the Englishman Greig, and the glory to Count Orlov. Another Frenchman, a historian of the late 18th century, also called Spiridov an incapable person. J.-A. Caster. Unfortunately, the domestic historian Vl. partially agrees with them. Plugin, characterizing Grigory Andreevich as “a respectable, but quite ordinary campaigner.”

He began his career in the Russian navy in 1723 and became a naval officer in 1733. Participant in the Russian-Turkish War (1735-1739), the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), and the Russian-Turkish War (1768-1774). He became famous for the defeat of the Turkish fleet during the Battle of Chesme.

In 1723 he began serving in the navy as a volunteer. At the age of 15, after passing exams in navigational sciences, he was promoted to midshipman and sent to the Caspian Sea; commanded the hookboats “St. Catherine” and “Shah-Dagai”, sailed from Astrakhan to the shores of Persia. From 1732 he served in Kronstadt, where he received the rank of midshipman ahead of schedule. In 1738 he participated in the Azov expedition of the Don military flotilla. He received his baptism of fire during the Russian-Turkish War of 1735-18 SN 1739. In 1741 he was sent to the port of Arkhangelsk, from where he made the transition to Kronstadt on one of the newly built ships. For ten years he commanded court yachts and battleships, and became famous in the Baltic Fleet and in St. Petersburg.

In 1754 Spiridov G.A. was promoted to captain of the 3rd rank and sent to Kazan to organize the delivery of scaffolding to the St. Petersburg Admiralty. In 1755 he became a member of the commission for reviewing regulations for the fleet, and the next year (1756) he was appointed company commander in the Naval Gentry Cadet Corps. He distinguished himself in the Seven Years' War, commanding a ship and then a squadron. In 1761 he was at the head of a two-thousand-strong naval landing during the capture of the Kolberg fortress. Paying great attention to the training of naval officers, he taught in the Naval Corps, combining this activity with sailing on warships. From 1764 he was the chief commander of the Revel port, and from 1766 - of the Kronstadt port. During the war with the Turks 1768-1774, an expedition under the command of Orlov A.G. headed to the Mediterranean Sea.

In 1769, Admiral Spiridov G.A. was appointed commander of the 1st squadron and led the capture of the Navarin fortress, which became a maneuver base for the Russian fleet. 17 IL 1769 Catherine II visited the ships preparing to sail, awarded the admiral the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and, blessing him for the campaign, placed the image of John the Warrior around his neck. She ordered the officers and sailors to be given four months' pay "not counted" and demanded that the squadron immediately set sail. The admiral was faced with a difficult task - to pave the way to the eastern part of the Mediterranean, making the first passage from the Baltic Sea in the history of the Russian fleet.

The transition was complicated by the lack of our own bases along the route, difficult weather conditions, and the illness of the commander along the way. Due to damage to the ships and their forced stops for repairs, the squadron moved slowly. This displeased the Empress, who demanded from G.A. Spiridov: “...do not allow him to be put to shame in front of the whole world.

All of Europe is looking at you and your squadron." Chief General A.G. Orlov, who was appointed commander-in-chief of the expedition and was waiting for the Russian fleet in Livorno, was also nervous. On IN 24, 1770, G.A. Spiridov’s squadron won a victory in the Chios Strait. The Turkish fleet the number of ships was almost twice as large as the Russian one, the Turks had 1430 guns, the Russian ships had 820 of them. In the wake column, our vanguard ships under the command of the admiral went towards the enemy perpendicular to his battle line and attacked the vanguard and part of the center of the Turks from a short distance. Russian naval commander first used a method of naval combat, which only 35 years later was used in the Battle of Trafalgar by the English Admiral Nelson, who became a celebrity. The speed of approach, a concentrated strike, fire, pressure - and the Turkish fleet began to lose control. His second line, with a headwind, could not help the attacked first line.

26 IN 1770 in Chesme Bay according to the plan of Spiridov G.A. The vastly superior forces of the Turkish fleet were completely destroyed. In 1771-1773 he commanded the fleet in the Archipelago. He not only carried out the blockade of the Dardanelles, but also began to systematically control enemy communications in the Aegean Sea in order to prevent the supply of food and raw materials to Istanbul from Greece. The island of Paros was used as a base for the Russian fleet, where an admiralty and a shipyard were built, as well as shops, hospitals, and a church. The blockade detachment of ships and the main forces of the fleet constantly operated several cruising detachments, completely blocking the Aegean Sea in its narrowest part.

In 1772, the admiral extended his actions to the entire eastern Mediterranean, starting from the Ionian Islands and to the coasts of Egypt and Syria. Together with the expeditionary ground forces, the fleet of Spiridov G.A. led active actions against Turkish coastal fortresses and ports on the Aegean Sea. In FV 1774 he retired. He died in Moscow and was buried on his estate - the village of Nagorny, Yaroslavl province.

Grigory Andreevich Spiridov

Grigory Andreevich Spiridov- outstanding Russian naval commander, admiral(1769), made a great contribution to the construction of the fleet and the development of Russian naval art.

G.A. Spiridov was born in 1713 in the city of Vyborg into the family of nobleman Andrei Alekseevich Spiridov (1680 - 1745), who served as commandant in the city of Vyborg during the time of Peter I - died on April 8 (19), 1790 in Moscow, was buried in his estate - the village Highlands of Pereslavl district in the crypt of the Transfiguration Church, previously built at his expense.

In 1723, Spiridov began serving in the navy as a volunteer, at the age of 15, after passing exams in navigational sciences, he was promoted to midshipman and sent to the Caspian Sea, commanded the hookboats “St. Catherine”, “Shah-Dagai”, sailed from Astrakhan to Persia, studying with A.I. Nagaev, later a famous admiral, hydrographer and compiler of nautical charts. Nagaev was very pleased with the diligence of the capable sailor. Since 1732 G.A. Spiridov served in Kronstadt, where he received the first officer rank of midshipman ahead of schedule, and was constantly on voyages in the Baltic Sea.

Kronstadt raid

In 1738, becoming an adjutant to Vice Admiral P.P. Bredal, participated with him in the Azov expedition of the Don military flotilla, which, together with the land army, waged a war with Turkey; in this war, Spiridov acted bravely in all naval battles, and received combat training.

In 1741, he was sent to the port of Arkhangelsk, from where he made the transition to Kronstadt on one of the built ships. Within ten years, commanding court yachts and battleships, he became famous in the Baltic Fleet and in St. Petersburg. In 1754, he was promoted to captain of the 3rd rank and sent to Kazan to organize the delivery of scaffolding to the St. Petersburg Admiralty. In 1775, he became a member of the commission for reviewing regulations for the fleet, and the following year he was appointed company commander in the Naval Gentry Cadet Corps. The measured course of service was interrupted by the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763. The dominance of the Russian fleet in the Baltic Sea contributed to Russia's successful fight against Prussia in the land theater of war. Taking part in the battles of the Baltic Fleet G.A. Spiridov commanded the ships “Astrakhan” and “St. Nicholas”, sailed to Danzig and Sweden, to Stralsund and Copenhagen. In 1761, with a landing force of 2,000 people, he came to the aid of the generalP. Rumyantsev, who besieged the seaside fortress of Kolberg, and earned high praise for his actions. Rumyantsev characterized him as an exceptionally “honest and brave officer.”

In 1762 G.A. Spiridov was promoted to the rank of rear admiral. Commanding the Revel squadron, he covered Russian communications in the Baltic. After the war, he was the commander of the Kronstadt and Revel ports, then commanded the entire Baltic Fleet. In 1764 he was promoted to vice admiral.

Talent G.S. Spiridov as a naval commander was fully demonstrated in the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774, when Russia fought for access to the Black Sea. Catherine II decided to reinforce the land campaign against Turkey with actions in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas and sent an expedition of the Russian fleet to the Greek archipelago. Spiridov, who had just been promoted to admiral, was appointed at the head of the first squadron. On July 17, 1769, Catherine II visited the ships preparing to sail, awarded Spiridov the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and, blessing him for the campaign, placed the image of John the Warrior around his neck. She ordered the officers and sailors to be given a four-month salary “not counted” and demanded that the squadron immediately set sail. Spiridov was faced with a very difficult task - to pave the way to the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, making the first passage from the Baltic Sea in the history of the Russian fleet.

Ships G.A. Spiridova on a hike

The transition was complicated by the lack of our own bases along the route, difficult weather conditions, and Spiridov’s illness at the beginning of the journey. Due to damage to ships and forced stops for repairs, the squadron moved slowly. In February 1770, Spiridov's squadron arrived at the Morea Peninsula (Peloponnese), and soon the second squadron under the command of D. Elphinstone also arrived there. Under the general direction of the countA.G. Orlov's squadron began hostilities, complicated by friction between Orlov and Spiridov, as well as Elphinstone's indiscipline. In February - May, the squadrons landed several troops on the Morea and captured the Navarin and Itilon bases. Turkey was forced to redirect its fleet from supporting ground forces to fighting at sea, and at the same time divert part of its ground forces from the Danube theater of operations.

Count A.G. Orlov

After an active search for the enemy, the Russian squadron (9 battleships, 3 frigates, 1 bombardment ship, 17 auxiliary ships and transports, a total of 820 guns) under the command of Chief General Count A.G. Orlova discovered a Turkish squadron (16 battleships, 6 frigates and up to 50 small ships, a total of 1430 guns, under the command of Kapudan Pasha D. Hasan Bey). The Turkish ships, formed in two battle lines, with the ships of the second line standing in the gaps between the ships of the first line, were anchored in the Chios Strait (Aegean Sea) 0.5 miles from the coast.

Battle of the Chios Strait

The first to be discovered by the Turks, sent on reconnaissance along with two small ships, was the battleship “Rostislav”, commanded by captain 1st rank V.F. Lupandin. The signal he sent “I see enemy ships” was noticed by the Russian squadron in the afternoon. The almost double superiority of the Turks in strength did not shake the steadfastness and courage of the Russian sailors. They were eager to fight the strongest enemy, believing that they were fighting not with numbers, but with skill. At the suggestion of Admiral G.A. Spiridov Chief General A.G. Orlov decided to attack the Turkish fleet. The following battle plan was adopted: first strike the Turkish vanguard and part of the center, sending one Russian ship against each enemy ship, and then strike the rest of the enemy ships. At noon on June 24, 1770, Russian ships began to approach the enemy. Volleys of Turkish cannons were heard. However, Russian officers and sailors, showing restraint and composure, did not respond to enemy fire and continued to approach until the “musket” shot(about 1st cable). Unexpectedly, an unpleasant incident occurred. The leading ship “Europe” missed its assigned place in the battle line. Turning to starboard tack and going behind the ship “Rostislav”, he again entered the battle.

Battleship “Rostislav”

Admiral Spiridov, angry with this maneuver of the commander of “Europe”, Captain 1st Rank F.A. Klokachev, having caught up on the “Eustathia” with the “Europe”, which had received damage, shouted: “Mr. Klokachev!” “I congratulate you as a sailor,” thereby, as it were, accusing the commander of cowardice. But in fact, Klokachev’s maneuver was caused by necessity and dictated by the conditions of the battle. In the subsequent course of the battle, Klokachev and the crew of his ship demonstrated courage and true heroism.

The feat of the battleship “Eustathius”

When the fire of three enemy ships fell on the flagship battleship “Eustathius”, its commander, Captain 1st Rank A.I. Cruz ordered not to return enemy fire. And only after the distance had noticeably shortened did the Turkish admiral ship Real Mustafa decisively attack. Admiral G.A. also showed a worthy example of courage and fearlessness. Spiridov. Carried away by the battle, he, disregarding the danger, walked along the upper deck with a sword in his hand, giving the necessary commands, and ordered the musicians to “play to the last.” The cannonballs of the Turkish ships damaged the sails and rigging of the Eustathius, which, having lost control, fell on the Turkish flagship, engulfed in flames. The Russian “Hurray” thundered, the sailors and officers climbed onto the deck of the “Real Mustafa” and entered into hand-to-hand combat with the Turks, during which the Russian sailors tore down and captured the stern flag of the Turkish flagship. As soon as Admiral G.A. Spiridov was convinced that he could save“Eustathius” was no longer possible, he ordered his flag to be transferred to the ship “Three Saints”. The fate of both ships was decided by an unforeseen event: the burning mainmast of the Real Mustafa collapsed and sparks hitting the Russian ship caused an explosion of gunpowder and ammunition. Following the Eustathius, the Turkish flagship also took off. This explosion and the successful Russian attack caused panic on the Turkish ships. The Turkish squadron, having lost control, hastened to retreat into Chesme Bay under the protection of coastal batteries, but was no longer able to get out of there, as it was blocked.

At the military council on June 25, Count Orlov adopted Spiridov’s plan, which consisted of destroying Turkish ships in their own bay. Considering the crowding of enemy ships, which excluded them from the possibility of maneuver, Admiral Spiridova proposed destroying the Turkish fleet with a combined strike of naval artillery and fire ships, with the main blow to be delivered by artillery. To attack the enemy on June 25, 4 fire ships were equipped and a special detachment was created under the command of junior flagship Rear Admiral S.K. Greig consisting of 4 battleships, 2 frigates and the bombardment ship “Grom”

Rear Admiral S.K. Greig

The plan of the attack, developed by Spiridov, boiled down to the following. The ships allocated for the attack, taking advantage of the darkness, were supposed to secretly approach the enemy at a distance of 2-3 cables on the night of June 26 and, anchored, open sudden fire: battleships and the bombardment ship “Grom” - on ships, frigates - on coastal batteries.

“Three Saints” in the Battle of Chesma

bomber ship "Grom"

The feat of Lieutenant D.S. Ilyina

Battle of Chesma

At midnight, when all preparations for the battle were completed, at a signal from the flagship, the ships assigned for the attack weighed anchor and headed to the places indicated for them. Having approached a distance of 2 cables (less than 500 m), the Russian ships took places according to the disposition established for them and opened fire on the Turkish ships and coastal batteries. “Thunder” and some battleships fired mainly with guns(incendiary bombs). Behind the battleships and frigates, in anticipation of the command to attack, 4 fire ships were deployed under the command of captain-lieutenants R. Dugdal, F. Mekenzi, lieutenant D. Ilyin and midshipman V. Gagarin. At the beginning of the 2nd hour, a fire broke out on one of the Turkish ships from a hit firebrand, which quickly engulfed the entire ship and began to spread to neighboring enemy ships. The Turks were confused and weakened their fire. This created favorable conditions for the attack of the fireships. At 1 hour 15 minutes, all 4 fire ships, under the cover of fire from battleships, began moving towards the enemy. Each fireship was assigned a specific Turkish ship with which it had to engage. Three fire ships, for various reasons, did not achieve their goal, and only the fire ship of Lieutenant D. Ilyin completed the task. Successfully maneuvering, under enemy fire, he approached the 84-gun Turkish battleship, grappled with it and set fire to his fireship. The fireship crew, together with Lieutenant D. Ilyin, got into the boat and left the burning fireship. Soon a powerful fire broke out on the Turkish ship and an explosion occurred. Thousands of burning debris scattered throughout Chesme Bay, spreading the fire to almost all the ships of the Turkish fleet. At this time, Chesme Bay became like the crater of a huge active volcano and was illuminated with a crimson-red glow for a long time. One after another, the Turkish ships exploded and flew into the air. “It is easier to imagine than to describe the horror, stupor and confusion that took possession of the enemy: entire teams threw themselves into the water in fear and despair.” At 4 o'clock the Russian ships ceased fire. By this time, almost the entire Turkish fleet was destroyed. Of the 15 battleships, 6 frigates and 50 auxiliary ships, only one battleship “Rhodes” and 5 galleys survived and were captured by the Russians. The Turks lost over 10,000 sailors and officers, while the losses on the ships of Greig’s detachment amounted to only 11 people.

Victory in the Chesma naval battle was achieved thanks to the high combat training, perseverance and courage of the Russian sailors. The Chesma battle was of enormous military and strategic importance. The Turkish command, having lost its fleet, was forced to completely abandon offensive actions against the Russians in the Archipelago and concentrate its efforts on the defense of the Dardanelles Strait and coastal fortresses.

In memory of the Chesma victory, a medal was struck and awarded to all participants in the battle. Count A.G. Orlov was awarded the Order of St. George, 1st degree and received an honorary addition to his surname Chesmensky (Orlov-Chesmensky), Admiral G.A. Spiridov received the highest order of the Russian Empire - St. Andrew the First-Called, Rear Admiral S.K. Greig was awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree, which gave him rights to hereditary Russian nobility, Lieutenant D.S. Ilyin was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree, and promoted to captain-lieutenant. In Tsarskoe Selo (now the city of Pushkin) a monument was erected - the Chesme Column.

Layout of ships in the Battle of Chesma

After the victory at Chesma G.A. Spiridov dominated the Greek archipelago for three years. He not only carried out the blockade of the Dardanelles, but also began to systematically control enemy communications in the Aegean Sea in order to prevent the supply of food and raw materials to Istanbul from Greece. The island of Paros was used as a base for the Russian fleet, where an admiralty and a shipyard were built, as well as shops, hospitals, and a church. Between the blockade detachment of ships and the main forces of the fleet, several cruising detachments were constantly operating, completely blocking the Aegean Sea in its narrowest part. In 1772, the Russian admiral extended his actions to the entire eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, starting from the Ionian Islands and to the coasts of Egypt and Syria. Together with expeditionary ground forces, Spiridov's fleet carried out active operations against Turkish coastal fortresses and ports of the Aegean Sea.

In June 1773, the 60-year-old admiral submitted his resignation for health reasons. In February 1774, he received permission to leave his post, as well as the right to a pension in the amount of his full admiral's salary. Returning to Russia G.A. Spiridov lived another 16 years. He died on his estate in the village of Nagorye. He was seen off on his last journey by local peasants and his faithful friend, Stepan Khmetevsky, commander of the “Threehierarchs “in the Battle of Chesma.

Chesme Column in Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin)

Monument to D.S. Ilyin

Glory to God and honor to the All-Russian Fleet! From the 25th to the 26th the enemy fleet was attacked, defeated, broken up, burned, and sent into the sky. (about the battle with the Turks)