Mine division of the Baltic fleet. Chapter II

This event coincided with the arrival in the port of Emperor Alexander III of the newly appointed head of the 1st Mine Division, Captain 1st Rank von Essen. Soon an order was received for his promotion to rear admiral.

All ready destroyers were concentrated in the port. The division included: four squadron destroyers of the "Border Guard" type, which made up the semi-division special purpose(on the "Border Guard" the admiral raised his flag); 1st division - four destroyers of the "Volunteer" type and four of the "Horseman" type; 2nd division - eight destroyers type "Ukraine"; 3rd division - eight destroyers of the "Mechanical Engineer Dmitriev" type and the 4th division of eight destroyers of the "Light" ("French") type. But many of them were still being completed in Riga and Helsingfors, and stern guns were installed on the 4th division, and it stood in the Neva. The admiral made every effort to gather the entire division as soon as possible, which he managed to achieve by the spring of 1907.

In fact, at that time it was the only warhead Baltic Fleet, which over time could carry a serious military service and become the core of the resurgent Baltic Fleet.

In addition to the Mine Division, there was also a detachment of ships intended for sailing with ship midshipmen. It consisted of battleships"Tsesarevich" and "Glory" and the cruiser "Bogatyr" and on winter time went on an overseas trip. All other large ships were either under repair or being completed. As I pointed out above, the work went very slowly, due to the lack of money from the Naval Ministry.

It was impossible to find a more suitable officer for the post of head of the Mine Division, like Admiral Essen. Not to mention his military merits during the Japanese War and extensive experience in commanding ships, he possessed exceptional organizational skills, and he undoubtedly had to develop an outstanding naval commander. In addition, he enjoyed great fame and prestige among the personnel, was loved by officers and teams, and his personality enjoyed charm.

At the Mine Division, he was to lay a solid foundation for the future naval power of the Baltic Sea. Create a cadre of brilliant commanders and officers. Work out the organization of the maritime theater of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. In a word, prepare everything for the moment when new ships enter service. Now we can say that Admiral Essen brilliantly coped with these tasks - from a core of 36 destroyers in 1906, by 1915 he had two brigades of battleships, 2 brigades of cruisers, 2 mine divisions, a diving detachment, etc. etc. But even then no one doubted that he would cope with the difficult task of reviving the fleet. Young officers were especially happy about the appointment of Admiral Essen, seeing in him the dashing commander of the Novik cruiser in the Japanese war.

Almost from the first day of the admiral's arrival, vigorous organizational work began on all the destroyers of the division. First of all, the admiral had to face the issue of the correct staffing of destroyers with officers and teams, and this caused a large number of movements and the influx of new officers and crews from ships under repair. In general, there was a great shortage of officers.

In particular, I was transferred to the destroyer "Volunteer". This appointment made me extremely happy, since I got on a ship of higher combat qualities, and, moreover, it was pleasant to leave Vecheslov's command.

It was already dead autumn (late September) 1906, this year there was nothing to think about swimming. Yes, and before sailing, it was necessary to organize the division, bring it into combat condition, train teams and force the officers to get used to their ships.

On the "Volunteer" I immediately felt great. The commander was the captain of the 2nd rank A.G. Pokrovsky, senior officer A.V. Dombrovsky, then Lieutenant V.V. Witgeft, midshipman L.B. Zayonchkovsky (my corps comrades) and ship's mechanic staff captain Khomentovsky. The whole line-up was exceptionally nice, and somehow we immediately became friends and got along.

The commander was extremely proud of his ship and strove for it to be the best of all the destroyers of the division. This desire of his that the ship would be “the best” was immediately reflected in all the personnel, and we all tried to make everything really better for us than for others. It was not easy, as other destroyers were striving for the same, but the tone given by the commander played big role, and our "Volunteer" was soon singled out by the admiral himself.

The destroyers were supposed to spend the coming winter "in reserve", that is, stand in the port with a full complement of officers and crew and in such readiness of all mechanisms to be able to go to sea as soon as possible (about a week). In the old days, not only destroyers, but also all the large ships of the Baltic Fleet “ended the company” for the winter, that is, officers and teams were written off in the presence of crews and some of the mechanisms were disassembled. In the spring, the ships "started a company" - armed; officers and teams returned to them. This order has been established since the old days, when the ships were wooden and, of course, it would be impossible to spend harsh winters on them. This would be detrimental to the health of the crews.

But since then, everything has completely changed: the ships became iron, the first steam heating appeared, and in general it was already possible to create such hygienic conditions for the life of the crew so that they would not suffer from the winter cold. However, the authorities of the pre-tsushima period did not consider it necessary to change the old order, and the ships were still disarmed in the fall and armed in the spring. Since the ships were on campaign for four months of the year (from half of May to half of September), therefore, for eight months the fleet was not able to defend the shores of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland if war suddenly broke out. But in those days, few people thought about it. "Ending the campaign" for eight months was considered savings, and little thought was given to the combat readiness of the ships.

Thus, the fact that the division would spend the winter in reserve, and [that] officers and crews in full strength would live on their ships all year round, was an innovation and seemed very risky to officers imbued with the dotsushima spirit. We, young officers, on the contrary, terribly welcomed this measure, since we really did not like life on the coast and service in crews.

But, of course, the destroyers had to think carefully about how to protect the premises from the cold. Although the sides inside were protected with small cork or cork sheets, they still sweated a lot. The entrance hatches had to be sheathed with boards, otherwise cold air rushed in when they were opened. To save coal, steam for steam heating was taken from the shore. In severe frosts, there were often cases when water pipes froze, and sometimes even steam heating. Electricity was also taken from the shore.

In general, little by little life got better, and everyone felt not bad at all, even in the most severe frosts. There were no more diseases than if they lived on the shore, but they had to very strictly monitor the sanitary condition of the interior and arrange “general tidying up” once a week. It was especially difficult with warm clothes, which took up a lot of space, and it was extremely small.

In any case, the very first winter proved that there was no need to transfer the crews to the coast for the winter, and militarily this was a great advantage. Subsequently, they even destroyed the crews, leaving only one crew, the 1st Baltic, in Kronstadt and the 2nd Baltic in St. Petersburg, for detachments of recruits and for temporary accommodation of sailors who were transferred somewhere. In addition, the 1st Baltic crew kept records of all officers and sailors of the Baltic Fleet.

To avoid confusion, we will restore the chronology of the formation of mine forces in the Baltic after Russo-Japanese War.

Initially, in February 1906, the mine cruisers commissioned, built on voluntary donations from the population, were included in the Practical Defense Detachment of the Baltic Sea coast under the command of the retinue of Rear Admiral Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich. Shortly after the flight of the Grand Duke from the fleet, by order of the chief commander of the fleet and ports and the head of the naval defense of the Baltic Sea, Vice Admiral K.P. Nikonov dated September 28, 1906, all mine cruisers from the Practical Detachment were consolidated into a separate Detachment of mine cruisers under the command of Captain 1st Rank N.O. von Essen. In October 1906, destroyers were attached to the detachment, and it became known as the 1st detachment of mine ships of the Baltic Sea, while being directly subordinate to the chief commander of the fleet.

Initially, it included mine cruisers: "Ukraine", "Kazanets", "Moskvityanin", "Volunteer", "Finn", "Hunter", "Emir of Bukhara", "Amurets", "Ussuriets", "Zabaikalets", " Border Guard", "Siberian Shooter", "General Kondratenko", "Horseman", "Gaydamak", "Guarding", "Terrible", "Don Cossack", "Trukhmenets"; destroyers Vidny, Gromyashchy, Combat, Mechanical Engineer Zverev, Mechanical Engineer Dmitriev, Stormy, Attentive, Impressive, Hardy, Vigilant; transport "Angara".

By order of the Naval Department of December 8, 1907, the 1st detachment of mine ships from April 1, 1908 was renamed the Destroyer Division. It consisted of four divisions of eight destroyers each (according to the 1907 classification, mine cruisers were also referred to as destroyers), three destroyers at the disposal of the division commander, as well as auxiliary vessels. Until November 24, 1908, the division was commanded by N.O. von Essen, then - captain of the 1st rank, His Serene Highness Prince A.A. Lieven.

On March 12, 1909, the Baltic Sea Destroyer Division was renamed the 1st Mine Division; until October 11, 1911, it was headed by A.A. Lieven.

The already mentioned order of the chief commander of the fleet and ports and the head of the naval defense of the Baltic Sea, Vice Admiral K.P. Nikonov dated September 28, 1906, part of the older destroyers was consolidated into a detachment of destroyers under the command of Captain 1st Rank M.V. Knyazev to protect the skerry area (since October 1906 - the 2nd detachment of mine ships of the Baltic Sea). From April 1, 1908, the detachment was called the Destroyer Division, which, in turn, was renamed the 2nd Mine Division on March 12, 1909.

In April 1915, the 1st and 2nd Mine Divisions were merged into the Mine Division.

This was at a time when the Russian State owned in the Baltic Sea almost all the ports of the Gulf of Finland, Bothnia and Riga and the islands of the Abo-Oland skerries. The ships of the fleet were scattered, according to their location, in the ports of Libava, Helsingfors, Abo, Marienhamn, Kronstadt and St. Petersburg.

A detachment of recruits of the 1st Mine Division, together with the same submarine fleet, was in the Port of Emperor Alexander III. Both were two separate battalions under the command of the adjutant wing Capt. 2nd rank S. S. Fabritsky and submariner cap. 2nd rank A. N. Nikiforaki. The entire detachment, as a senior, was commanded by S. S. Fabritsky. They were placed in a stone two-storey building, with an arena, on one of the banks of the canal of the port's inner basin. The spacious square in front of the barracks overlooked the wall of the canal, near which stretched orderly rows of destroyers of the 1st Mine Division and submarines, with the Okean training ship on the flank. Such a sea town was in perfect harmony with the purpose and way of life of the Recruit Detachment, in which the future cadres of the ship crews of the Baltic Fleet were brought up. Here, the recruits visually got acquainted with all branches and order of naval life and with the tireless work of old sailors in repairing and arming ships preparing for the upcoming summer campaign.

Further, behind the barracks, closer to the sea, were the officers' wings, the Port Office, the post office, and, finally, beautiful building Marine Assembly with beautiful sea views. It had a huge dance hall, salons, a library and a wonderful buffet - restaurant. Our regular guests at the Assembly were the Smolensk Lancers and the officers of the Staraya Russian Infantry Regiment, who at that time were quartered in Libava.

Head of the Detachment, he is also the commander of the esq. min. "Amurets", led the Detachment according to the model and programs of the then guards regiments. It was necessary to pull up the fleet in combat terms. There was also a hope that the young officers of the Detachment would pour a new stream into ship life. The Royal review was coming, and the young sailors were supposed to show off their combat bearing on it.

The unmarried officers all had to live in the barracks, near their companies, and all dined in a common wardroom, in the same barracks. Thanks to this, a special cohesion was created in the Detachment, and everyone was inspired by the desire to show themselves no worse. ground forces. And, indeed, the results of this animation and such work showed themselves at the Tsar's review.

In my time, the 1st battalion was commanded by Lieutenant P.P. Mikhailov and four of his companies by Lieutenants G.P. Gedrimovich V.V. Zavadsky, P.S. Pogozhev and B.P. Ivanov. Every day, except for Sundays and holidays, all companies went to the square and, in the sight of the destroyers, scattered into platoon groups. The whole area was covered with a frantic din, especially young midshipmen, who excelled in various ways commands, and in response there was a friendly crackle of rifle butts or monotonous typing with their feet "as one" of the brave, quickly pulling themselves up beyond recognition, naval recruits.

A drawn-out command “battalion at attention! Gentlemen officers! - Head of the Detachment S. S. Fabritsky descends the gangway from the Amurets. His representative, tall, broad-shouldered figure, military bearing and golden aiguillettes on his frock coat simply hypnotized the young sailors. The whole area froze in silence, and only on destroyers did the crew get out of the cockpits, engine rooms and stokers to stare at the "army porridge", as they called the recruits.

The 3rd company of helmsmen and signalmen under the command of P. S. Pogozhev was especially distinguished in the drill art. One should have seen his extraordinary ability to "conduct" not only the mazurka at balls in the Naval Assembly, but also on the square - with his trained company. The company was proud of its superiority over others, and the young sailors swaggered like roosters, knowing in advance that their company would be called to show our work at the Tsar's review. But that's the end of pre-lunch time. From the barracks for a mile away you could smell the soaring "naval cabbage soup" and freshly baked rye bread. The smell of this unusually stimulating effect on the appetite. Everyone knew that in the wardroom the “team test” was already waiting for the Head of the Detachment, on a tray in the hands of the cook on duty (the cook in a white cap and snow-white apron). Right there stood the duty officer and the sergeant major, with a pipe around their necks. The remaining sample was usually handed over to the midshipmen and lieutenants who rushed from the square to be torn to pieces, in order to have a bite and grunt under a cold glass of vodka.

With dashing songs, accompanied by overflows and whistles, the companies went to the barracks. After dinner, everything calmed down around, and there was an "afternoon" serene rest in the Detachment and on the destroyers. Complete silence was interrupted only by the fragmentary ringing of flasks on all ships; they fought back every half an hour, according to the exact time.

After a lunch break, the companies in most cases were engaged in the so-called "literature" (History of the Navy, Naval Charter and Charter of the Coastal Service). This happened under the leadership of officers and non-commissioned officers. Some groups under the command of the same officers and non-commissioned officers went on ships to study in various specialties or to study ship engines on the Ocean. On Sundays, under the command of their junior officers, they went on military walks in separate companies, as they say, "without weapons, but with songs."

In the evenings, in their free time from service, the youth - midshipman - rolled into Libava, on the famous "octopuses" (old-fashioned high 4-seater landau, harnessed by a pair of nags) and, depending on inspiration, went to the Bojnitsa confectionery or to the "Petersburg Hotel" listen to a local celebrity - the violinist Kreisler and eat oysters, or turned into the Hamburg Garden Variety, which was forbidden for her, where she occupied a box with dignity. Those who stayed until late hours in restaurants found shelter in a charitable institution of the so-called "Princess Maria Alekseevna", distinguished by its disinterested care for young, inexperienced young men.

But, in addition to "coastal" entertainment, young people often attended balls and masquerades in the officers' assembly of the Starorussky regiment. The regiment commander had two daughters and, naturally, the sailors were welcome guests for him. More often than not, when "midshipmen's finances sang romances" and the midshipman was aground, drying his empty pockets, there was an opportunity to have fun in the wardroom. As a rule, in the evening the officers gathered in the wardroom of the Detachment, in a circle of good friends. Over a good glass of cognac, the mood quickly became complacent and cheerful, at the piano appeared the mischievous prankster midshipman Boba, a participant in many midshipman pranks and tricks, which he somehow always successfully got away with. The soul of this cheerful society was usually the assistant to the Head of the Detachment, Capt. 2nd rank Timofei Leonidovich von der Raab-Thielen. He sailed a lot in the Far East, a typical representative of the local famous humorous "Lancepup tribe", the description of which should be devoted to special essay, short stature, thin, reddish, with sideburns and mustaches and a typical sea waddle.

When he appeared in the wardroom, the youth gradually closed the ring around him and the stories of the unforgettable storyteller about the old days of the cheerful and carefree life of youth in Vladivostok poured. His crowning number was the presentation in the faces of prominent generals and admirals passing by a ceremonial march at parades in Tsarskoye Selo. This number was performed by him inimitably.

But back to the Recruit Squad. The month of March came, a breath of spring was felt, and the sun sent its life-giving rays to the ships standing at the wall, gleamed on the shiny parts of compasses, guns, mine vehicles and other marine fittings. There was a smell of red lead and other fresh paint. The mechanical "woodpecker" (drill) tapped out its monotonous, sharp melody, and the father-commanders courted their offspring, looking with a jealous eye at the resurrecting beauty of their ships.

It was at this time that a detachment of recruits set out in a long echelon of a military train from the station of Libava to the Tsarsky Review, to Tsarskoye Selo. The train was moving very slowly, through Muravevo, Riga and Pskov. Occasionally, at large stops in the first-class station premises, officers arranged dinners with a balalaika orchestra, and the Detachment brass band played on the platform, entertaining the assembled audience, eyeing the sailors with curiosity. In Riga and Pskov, the Detachment was met by representatives of the garrison, who accompanied it to the barracks of the regiments, where a hot meal was waiting for it.

In Tsarskoye Selo, the detachment was located in the barracks of l. guards His Majesty's Hussar Regiment.

The next day, the day of the review, the weather was rainy and the square in front of the palace was full of puddles. The detachment was lined up in brilliant order opposite the main entrance to the palace. At the appointed time, the Sovereign Emperor and the Heir Tsesarevich left the palace in naval uniform, accompanied by the Flag-Captain of His Majesty Admiral Nilov, the Minister of the Navy Admiral Grigorovich, the Chief of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Fleet Admiral von Essen and the next watch. The orchestra played "Nikolaev March", the Sovereign went along the front, greeting the young sailors. In response, a statutory greeting thundered, a shout of "Hurrah" and the orchestra played the national anthem. After the detour, dead silence reigned, and then the command of the commander of the parade, captain 2nd rank Fabrytsky, was heard: “Battalions for gymnastics!”

Having reformed, the Detachment began gymnastics to the cheerful sounds of the orchestra, and with each kick of the feet, splashes of puddles spread over the ground, ruthlessly dousing our shiny full officer uniforms embroidered with gold. The sovereign thanked the detachment for the gymnastics, and then called the 3rd company under the command of Lieutenant Pogozhev for a company exercise. The teaching also went brilliantly and the company was awarded the Tsar's "thank you". After that, the Detachment marched in a ceremonial march in half company. The sovereign thanked each half-company separately, and we returned with the orchestra to the hussar barracks, where the sailors were offered a wonderful dinner, while the officers were invited to the palace, to the Tsar's table. Half of the officers received leave for three days, and the other went with the Detachment to Libau.

Upon returning to Libava, the young sailors were assigned to ships and I had to lead a party on the cruiser Gromoboy, where I sailed as a ship's midshipman. Thus ended my epic in the Recruit Detachment, and I met the coming Holy Resurrection of Christ already on my own ship, the minelayer Narova.

Boris Arsky.

Admiral Nikolai Ottovich Essen always stood out for his exceptional personal courage, adhered to the most daring tactical decisions, and showed himself to be a fearless and skilled naval commander. He repeatedly took responsibility for the most important decisions and always stood for the active use of the fleet and its weapons, in particular mines, was an opponent passive forms waging war. He was convinced that "the fleet exists only for war, and therefore everything that is not related to combat training should be discarded as not only unnecessary, but also harmful."

Naval school and service on the ships of the Russian fleet

Nikolai Ottovich von Essen was born in St. Petersburg on December 11, 1860 in the family of a prominent statesman. His father, Otto Vasilyevich, was an example of fidelity to business and duty for his son. The Essen family had almost two hundred years of maritime tradition and gave the fleet seven Knights of St. George. - Admiral Essen - the pride of the Russian fleet.

Nikolai Essen, who had great abilities and an enviable diligence in the study of sciences, stood out noticeably among his classmates for his deep knowledge of the general scientific and special disciplines. With special enthusiasm, he studied higher mathematics, mechanics, weapons, maritime practice and some other disciplines directly related to the theory of the ship and the use of combat weapons of the armored fleet. With great benefit he spent educational practice on the ships of the Baltic Fleet, during which cadets and midshipmen consolidated their theoretical knowledge and gained practical experience in the use of weapons and ship control. - (The most detailed story about N.O. Essen)

Since 1902 - commander of the newest cruiser of the 2nd rank "Novik", captain of the 2nd rank N.O. von Essen. Having accepted the ship at a shipyard in Germany, N.O. Essen transferred it to Port Arthur as part of the squadron Pacific Ocean.

Participation in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905

Golden saber with the inscription "For bravery". - von Essen Nikolai Ottovich

Bold steps "Novik" against the background of the first setbacks were noticeable. For the battle on January 27, 1904 near Port Arthur N.O. Essen was awarded the Golden St. George Saber with the inscription "For Courage", and 12 crew members of the Novik received St. George's Crosses. At the request of the squadron commander S.O. Makarov, on March 16, 1904, Captain 2nd Rank Essen was instructed to command the squadron battleship Sevastopol. -

Squadron battleship "Sevastopol" in Kronstadt. September 1900

Beginning in August 1904 combat activity BUT. Essen, as the commander of the battleship Sevastopol, was most closely connected with the defense of Port Arthur, and above all with artillery support for the defenders of the fortress. He was usually entrusted with the most responsible and difficult tasks related to the destruction of the most active enemy batteries that systematically bombarded the fortress.

The death of Makarov made a demoralizing impression on most of the flagships and officers of the Pacific Fleet. Mine fear and the desire to remain in the fortress soon besieged by the Japanese became the prevailing "tactical methods" of the Arthurian commanders. At meetings of flagships and captains with Rear Admiral V.K. Vitgeft in May-June all commanders big ships, except for Essen, almost unanimously spoke out against going to sea and fighting the Japanese fleet, which puzzled even the admiral himself, who also considered it impossible to defeat the Japanese in naval battle. - Tsushima - Personnel of the Russian Fleet in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.

Reflection of the night attack of Japanese destroyers on the squadron battleship "Sevastopol"

For six nights, the Sevastopol, together with the gunboat Brave, fought off more than 30 Japanese destroyers, sank 2 of them, and inflicted heavy damage on five. - Red kaoliang. Anton Utkin. - Around the World No. 2 (2773) February 2005

When the destruction of the ships of the squadron began on December 19, 1904, the Sevastopol, the only one of them all, was towed to deep place and flooded, which did not allow the Japanese to raise and use it ... the main thing that N.O. Essen took out of this campaign was the richest experience of observing and thinking about the lost war.

Command of the Baltic Fleet

BUT. Essen was well aware that success in preparing the fleet for war depends primarily on the degree of training of the personnel and their attitude to service, i.e. fulfillment of his military duty. Acquaintance with N.O. Essen with the personnel of the fleet, and especially with the officers, showed that the morale of many of them is at a low level. Under the influence of the defeat of the Russian fleet in the war with Japan, they lost faith in their weapons and became disillusioned with the naval service. Among some of officers decadent moods appeared, military discipline noticeably worsened.

Head of the Operating Fleet of the Baltic Sea, Vice Admiral N.O. von Essen with a group of officers aboard the gunboat "Beaver" on the day of the tenth anniversary of the capture of the Taku forts. Revel, June 4, 1910. - Gunboats of the Baltic Fleet "Gilyak", "Korean", "Beaver", "Sivuch". - Gangut No. 34-35.

To rectify the situation, it was necessary first of all to change the system of training and education of personnel that existed in the fleet. It was from this N.O. Essen began his naval activities in the Baltic, first as commander of the 1st mine division, and then the fleet, and achieved exceptionally good results. Within two years, he turned the mine division into best connection fleet, for which he received gratitude from the king, who, watching the teachings of the division, praised her combat skills.
Mine division, thanks to N.O. Essen, has become a real school for the training and education of officers of the Baltic Fleet, and above all for ship commanders, whom Nikolai Ottovich, like all outstanding naval commanders Russian fleet, considered as a decisive link that ensured success in the combat training of personnel on the ship and the success of the ship in battle. Many officers, having gone through a good Essen school in a mine division, later, when they were assigned to large ships: battleships and cruisers, transferred to them the principles of combat training used in a mine division.
In the system of combat training of ships and formations of the fleet, Admiral N.O. Essen adhered to the two famous mottos of his teacher: "At sea means home" and "Remember the war." Having turned these mottos of S. O. Makarov into the principles of combat training, Nikolai Ottovich made a rule, first on the mine division, and then on the entire Baltic Fleet - to swim as much as possible in order to work out at sea combat missions, and be less in the database. - Nikolai Ottovich Essen. - Russian Imperial Fleet / "InfoArt". Preparation of materials: Alexander and Dmitry Loparev.

Participation in the First World War

On the night of July 30-31, 1914, the commander of the Baltic Fleet, Vice Admiral N.O. Essen telegraphed to the naval minister: "I ask you to inform me about the political situation. If I do not receive an answer tonight, I will put up a barrier in the morning" (Fleet in the First World War, vol. 1, p. 90).
On the morning of July 31, on the orders of Essen, a detachment of minelayers consisting of the ships "Ladoga", "Narova", "Amur" and "Yenisei" began laying mines in the area of \u200b\u200bthe main mine-artillery position. To cover the minelayers, a brigade of battleships and a brigade of cruisers were deployed, which included the destroyer Novik. So he entered the war.
By the autumn of 1914, convinced that the German fleet was not yet going to make a breakthrough to the eastern coast of the Gulf of Finland, and preferring not to risk its main forces, the Essen headquarters developed a new plan of operation, which, along with defensive actions, included offensive ones. The plan, in particular, involved the setting of active minefields in the southern and southeastern parts Baltic Sea, as well as the destruction of enemy merchant ships and observation posts (TsGA Navy, f.479, op.1, file 970, l.27). - Yu.G.Stepanov, I.F.Tsvetkov "Destroyer "Novik". L.; Shipbuilding, 1981.

Tsvetkov I. F. Admiral N. O. von Essen - commander of the Baltic Fleet on the eve and during the First World War // Germans in Russia: People and Fates: Sat. Art. SPb., 1998.

Starting from August 1, the Baltic squadron led by the armored cruiser "Rurik", on which Admiral N.O. Essen held her flag, concentrated on the central position, maneuvering behind the minefield. In the meantime, cruisers and destroyers alternately (cruisers during the day, and destroyers at night) carried out sentinel service at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland in order to warn the fleet commander in time about the appearance of the enemy.

Admiral N.O. Essen with officers on board the destroyer "Pogranichnik". -

His high mind, military talent and great organizational skills rendered invaluable services to the Russian fleet, and his paternal and fair attitude towards his subordinates inspired deep love for him by all the personnel of the fleet. For him and with him - they worked not for fear, but for conscience ... - Count G.K. On the "Novik". The Baltic Fleet in War and Revolution. - St. Petersburg: Gangut, 1997.

Destroyer "Novik".

Admiral Nikolai Ottovich Essen, the youngest full admiral in the history of Russia, the most talented student and follower of S.O. Makarov, the last among the outstanding naval commanders of the Russian fleet.

Giving all of himself to the cause, Essen cared little about his health, still tried to act energetically. On May 1, he went on a destroyer to Revel and, having caught a serious cold in the cold Baltic wind, finally fell ill with lobar pneumonia. On the third day, doctors in Revel recognized the situation as dangerous, and on May 7 (20), 1915, N. O. Essen died.
Beloved von Essen's destroyer "Border Guard", accompanied by a guard of honor from the Knights of St. George, on May 9 (22), 1915, delivered the coffin with the body of the commander of the Baltic Fleet to Petrograd, to the English Embankment. With a huge gathering of people and troops, the coffin was loaded onto a gun carriage, and six horses, followed by a huge funeral procession, delivered the body of the admiral to the Church of the Savior on the Waters, and then to the Novodevichy cemetery.

Destroyer "Border Guard" with the body of N.O. Essen leaves Reval, May 1915. - Domestic ships of the period of the Russian-Japanese and the First World War

The original monument on the grave of Admiral Essen on Novodevichy cemetery not preserved. The red granite tombstone with an enamel photograph was renewed by the Naval Academy in 1960 on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of the naval commander. - von ESSEN Nikolay Ottovich (1860-1915)

The Naval Minister, Admiral I. Grigorovich, then vowed to name the best of the new ships after Essen. But, alas, he did not keep his oath. - Essen Nikolay Ottovich. - Slavic world

Three Project 11356 frigates for the Russian Navy, the first of which is planned to be laid down at the Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad) in January 2011, will be named after the tsarist admirals. This was reported by a source in the defense industry.
The frigate "Admiral Grigorovich" is supposed to be laid first, followed by "Admiral Essen" and "Admiral Kolchak". However, the names have not yet been finally approved, the source noted.

About the Admiral's perspicacity

Admiral N.O. Essen was preparing the fleet for war on the air. - Gangut: Collection of articles: Issue 46. (Edited by Kuznetsov L.A.)

Compiled by Nakhimov 1953, captain 1st rank N.A. Veryuzhsky.

Veryuzhsky Nikolai Aleksandrovich (VNA), Gorlov Oleg Aleksandrovich (OAG), Maksimov Valentin Vladimirovich (MVV), SWF.
198188. St. Petersburg, st. Marshal Govorov, house 11/3, apt. 70. Sergey Vladimirovich Karasev, archivist. [email protected]

Veselago 1st Mikhail Gerasimovich (11/07/1843-09/20/1929), retired admiral (08/28/1909).

Shafrov Alexander Alekseevich (01/29/1879 - until December 1945), mechanical engineer captain of the 2nd rank (04/14/1913).

Svetlik Pavel Aloizievich (11/20/1880-04/17/1966), captain of the 2nd rank "for excellent zealous service and special labors caused by the circumstances of the war" (01/01/1915).

Compass deviation, deviation of the compass moving system from the position that fixes the direction to the Earth's magnetic pole (for a magnetic compass) or to the geographic pole (for a gyrocompass). The deviation of the magnetic compass is eliminated with the help of auxiliary magnets that create a system of compensating magnetic fields.

Gerasimov Alexander Mikhailovich (11/14/1861-03/02/1931), vice admiral for distinction (04/29/1913).

Kurosh 1st Alexander Parfenovich (03/30/1862–1919?), Vice Admiral for Distinction (07/30/1916) retired (12/07/1917).

De Livron Alexander Karlovich (02/21/1886-07/18/1906), midshipman (05/21/1905).

Shchensnovich Eduard Nikolaevich (12/25/1852-12/20/1910), Vice Admiral (08/28/1909).

Von Schultz Max Konstantinovich (08/30/1870-01/17/1917), captain of the 1st rank for distinction (12/06/1911).

Yazykov Dmitry Mikhailovich (05/29/1857-?), captain of the 1st rank. He graduated from the Naval College (1879). He commanded the ship "Krasnovodsk" in the Caspian Sea (1901-1904). Dismissed from service with promotion to captain of the 1st rank (05/29/1908), in connection with the First World War he was again assigned to the service as a captain of the 1st rank (03/16/1915), served in the Black Sea Fleet.

A capstan is a special gate used on ships for selecting anchor chains and carrying out other heavy work on pulling cables and chains. Spiers have several classifications, including the nature of the force that sets them in motion. In this case, we are talking about a manual capstan.

Vymbovki - wooden levers that serve to rotate the spire manually.

Paner - such a position of the selected anchor when the anchor chain (or anchor rope) is already in a vertical position, but the anchor has not yet come off the ground.

Von Barleven Arvid Konstantinovich (06/07/1884-?), senior lieutenant (01/01/1915).

Romanov Alexander Mikhailovich, Grand Duke (04/01/1866-02/26/1933), admiral (12/06/1915).

Such an "exotic" ministry did not exist. After fleeing the fleet, the Grand Duke continued to preside over the Special Committee for the Strengthening of the Fleet with Voluntary Donations (since February 6, 1904), within which, since 1910, he had been organizing aviation.

Posokhov Sergey Andreevich (10/15/1866-02/02/1935), rear admiral for distinction (07/30/1916) retired (10/06/1917).

In connection with the revolutionary movement in the Baltic states and the lack of troops to protect the estates from pogroms, at the end of November 1905 it was decided to form battalions from the fleet crews. The 1st and 2nd battalions under the command of the captain of the 2nd rank O.O. Richter and Captain 1st Rank Baron V.N. Ferzena (who is also the head of the detachment of naval security battalions in Estonia) left Kronstadt on December 19 and 24, 1905. Divided into companies, and sometimes into smaller detachments, they began to catch the "instigators". The decisiveness of the actions of the sailors, who, by order of the military authorities, shot local residents often without trial or investigation, deserved the high praise of Emperor Nicholas II, who wrote in a letter to his mother on December 29 that they “... act perfectly; many gangs are destroyed, houses and their property are burned. Terror must be met with terror. Now Witte himself understood this. The lines of the report of the captain of the 2nd rank O.O. give an idea of the style of action of the personnel. Richter: “It must be said that the execution also affects the team, and it becomes wild, bloodthirsty, and it has to be restrained. I was very pleased that the team realized that they were dealing with a brutal, vengeful people, and, of course, did not wait until they hit them, but shoot at anyone. It is significant that these battalions were manned mainly by sailors of the 14th naval crew, which had almost rebelled a month before (recall that the former commander of the Varyag cruiser, Captain 1st Rank V.F. Rudnev, was fired for allowing unrest in the crew ). Fragments of the reports of the commanders of these battalions are published: From notebook archivist. Naval punitive battalions in the Baltic region / Publ. A. Drezena // Red archive. 1930. No. 1 (30). pp. 165–169.

The 3rd security battalion (actually a semi-battalion) under the command of the captain of the 2nd rank P.A. Green 1st in the last days of December, the icebreaker "Ermak" was delivered to about. Ezel. After the "pacification" (judging by the telegrams - almost bloodless) of the local residents, by February 3, the personnel were transferred to Riga to patrol the streets.

At the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the further formation of battalions continued, on January 7 and 8, the 4th and 5th battalions of Kronstadters (commanders - captains of the 2nd rank Protopopov and G.P. Pekarsky) set off from Oranienbaum. They were placed in Livonia on the railway line Riga - Dvinsk, where they were part of the Vilna flying squad. 6th battalion of captain of the 2nd rank V.I. Galanin did not complete the formation, the need for his parcel disappeared.

The 1st and 2nd battalions (the 2nd battalion was commanded by the captain of the 2nd rank V.F. Ponomarev from January 27) were withdrawn from the Estland province on March 12 and 15, the 4th and 5th from Livonia on April 7. In total, 1868 lower ranks operated in the Baltics as part of five battalions.

Reviews of the activities of the battalions were, of course, the most controversial. The civil authorities did not skimp on praise for their determination and discipline, some of the local residents wrote letters of thanks to the Minister of Marine, saying that they felt behind the sailors, "like behind a stone wall." On the other hand, even in the mean reports of battalion commanders we find information about the harshness of actions and the not always sober behavior of the lower ranks. And here is a fragment from the diary entry of Rear Admiral V.K. Pilkina dated November 1, 1918: “The dark people are terrible everywhere. Or rather, dark people, since cruelty, refined only in form, is performed, it would seem, by more intelligent, but in fact also dark gentlemen. I remember how Tipolt (midshipman N.A. Tipolt served in the 4th battalion. - Note. ed.) told me about the death sentences passed during the punitive expeditions in the Baltic [isky] region by dead drunk judges, which he had to carry out.

Nikonov Konstantin Petrovich (04/14/1844-?), admiral (10/13/1908) retired (10/01/1908).

The mentioned scandal in the Libau circus took place on October 13, 1905. About the former adventures of A.M. Veselago is presented by an encrypted telegram from the commander of the Vladivostok port, Rear Admiral N.R. Greve to the Minister of the Sea A.A. Birilev dated October 2, 1905: “Lieutenant Veselago in drunk, sitting in the theater in the stalls, urinated and, then leaving the theater, made a number of outrages. The court of mediators, having opened a case on this matter, recently ordered Lieutenant Veselago to resign, which he refused to do. The case should go to the court of flag officers and captains, which at the moment could not be convened due to the illness of Admiral Jessen and the absence of some commanders. I hope to do so next week.<…>Greve. At that time, the intercession of the father turned out to be effective, and on October 4, 1905, a response telegram was sent to Vladivostok, signed by acting. Chief of the Main Naval Staff, Rear Admiral A.A. Virenius: “The Minister wants you to send Lieutenant Veselago to Petersburg without carrying out the sentence of the court” (RGAVMF. F. 417. Op. 4. D. 1305. L. 143, 143v). This story is indicative as an example of the disdainful attitude of the authorities to the opinion of the personnel of the fleet, expressed in the decision of the court of mediators.

Vecheslov 1st Vladimir Stepanovich (01/09/1876–1934), captain of the 1st rank for distinction (04/06/1914)

To avoid confusion, let's restore the chronology of the formation of mine forces in the Baltic after the Russo-Japanese War.

On March 12, 1909, the Baltic Sea Destroyer Division was renamed the 1st Mine Division; until October 11, 1911, it was headed by A.A. Lieven.

In April 1915, the 1st and 2nd Mine Divisions were merged into the Mine Division.

The common name is like "Finn".

After the Russo-Japanese War, in order to improve the training of pupils of the Naval Corps, the intermediate rank of "ship midshipman" was introduced, which was assigned after passing exams for the corps science course; the first officer rank - midshipman - from now on was given to graduates only after overseas voyage and examination by a commission of naval officers. Provide quality shipboard practice and was supposed to Separate detachment vessels assigned to sail with ship midshipmen, formed in May 1906. Other tasks were also solved in parallel - the practice of students from the school of combatant quartermasters, improving the combat training of the best warships of the fleet, as well as the "flag demonstration" in the ports of Europe and mediterranean sea. Initially, the squadron battleships (since 1907 - battleships) "Tsesarevich" and "Glory", as well as the cruiser of the 1st rank "Bogatyr" were part of the detachment. By order of the Naval Department of December 8, 1907, the detachment was renamed the "Baltic", it existed until the autumn of 1911. In addition to these ships, it included different time also included the cruisers "Oleg", "Admiral Makarov" and "Rurik".

The mine cruiser (since 09/27/1907 - a destroyer) "Volunteer" belonged to four ships of the "Finn" type, built on voluntary donations according to the project of the "Schihau" company (Germany) at the shipyard of the "Putilov Plants Society" in St. Petersburg. Laid down in 1904, launched on 05/29/1905, commissioned in June 1906. Participated in the First World War, died on a mine in the Irben Strait on 08/08/1916.

Displacement 570 tons, length - 72.49 m, width - 8.18 m, on tests it reached a speed of 25.9 knots. The initial armament consisted of 2 - 75 mm, 6 - 57 mm guns, 4 machine guns, and 3 - 450 mm torpedo tubes; winter 1909/1910 artillery was replaced by 2 - 102-mm guns.

Pokrovsky Andrey Georgievich (Egorovich) (08/14/1862–1944), vice admiral for distinction (04/10/1916).

Dombrovsky 1st Alexei Vladimirovich (01/07/1882-04/24/1954), captain of the 1st rank (07/28/1917).

Zaionchkovsky Leonid Brunovich (10/05/1883-?), senior lieutenant (seniority from 12/06/1915).

Khomentovsky Georgy Mikhailovich (04/08/1880-?), mechanical engineer captain of the 2nd rank (04/14/1913).

Other important negative sides the system indicated by the author were: 1) frequent change of personnel, since the crew commander could appoint completely different officers and sailors who were not familiar with the ship for the next summer voyage; 2) long stay personnel on the shore without engaging in their actual work had a negative effect on discipline.

Maksimov Andrei Semenovich (07/07/1866–1951), vice admiral for distinction (04/10/1916).

Here is an entry from the diary of Rear Admiral V.K. Pilkina (Helsingfors, April 3, 1919): “Then Lyatsky told how, on the instructions of Kerensky, he had a meeting with Admiral Maximov, what a stunning impression this commander of the fleet, who could not speak Russian, made on him. (At the same time, I remembered how a Chukhonian porter approached the group at the table: “Who is Admiral Maksimov here?” - “I am Admiral Maksimov!” Was the answer of Andrei Semenovich.)”.

Butakov 1st Alexander Grigorievich (06/25/1861-03/01/1917), rear admiral for distinction (12/06/1913).

Butakov Grigory Ivanovich (09/27/1820-05/31/1882), admiral (1878), adjutant general (1869).

Banov Nikolai Nikolaevich (03/05/1859-?), Retired Rear Admiral (10/04/1910).

Shtorre Ivan Aleksandrovich (05/27/1862-?), Retired Vice Admiral (12/02/1915).

Teshe Lev Karlovich (06/17/1863-?), Retired Rear Admiral (06/08/1917).

Vinogradsky Ilya Alexandrovich (02/23/1867-01/23/1910), captain of the 1st rank for distinction (12/28/1909).

Maydel 1st Christian Gvidovich, baron (04/13/1869-?), captain of the 2nd rank (12/06/1905).

Kartsov Viktor Andreevich (01/31/1868-05/02/1936), Vice Admiral (12/06/1916).

Balkashin Nikolai Nikolaevich (09/30/1866-12/13/1907), captain of the 2nd rank for distinction (01/01/1904).

Chukhnin Grigory Pavlovich (01/23/1848 - 06/29/1906), Vice Admiral (04/06/1903).

The information does not correspond to reality, see the biography of A.G. Pokrovsky.

The issue of basing on the port of Emperor Alexander III (Libau) was by no means unambiguous. On one side of the scale lay the possibility of training personnel in navigation in the Baltic during the cold stormy months, on the other, the fear of being trapped in the event of a war with Germany. So, in a report addressed to the Chief of the Main Naval Staff dated December 15, 1906, N.O. von Essen confirmed his own thoughts, expressed even earlier, on October 10 of the same year, in a letter to the naval minister. From his point of view, Libava could not serve as a support base for the mine fleet due to the fact that the fortress, located 70 miles from the border with Germany, had almost no protection from the rear, and therefore could be cut off already on the third day of hostilities. “The defense of the fortress from the sea is imperfect, both due to the location of naval batteries, and due to the insufficient number of strong guns<…>why, when an enemy squadron approaches Libava, mine ships must immediately leave the port so as not to be cut off from the sea, and then shot in an outport or a basin and a canal. I will say more strongly - with the outbreak of hostilities, the mine fleet will have to leave the port of Emperor Alexander III, so as not to return there later ”(RGAVMF. F. 417. Op. 1. D. 3564. L. 13).

Probably, the author had in mind the story of the steamer "John Grafton". This ship was hired by the Socialist-Revolutionaries at the expense of the Japanese and was heading to Finland with a load of weapons. On August 26, 1905, he landed on stones near Jakobstadt (Gulf of Bothnia) and was blown up by the crew.

The author's memory failed. "Volunteer" was cruising in Moonsund in October 1906. Sailing of mine cruisers to monitor smuggling was stopped by decision of the Ministry of the Interior in early December 1906 (RGAVMF. F. 417. Op. 1. D. 3539. L. 173).

In 1907, the "Volunteer" began the campaign on March 19, 1907, made a number of short training trips to the sea, after which he was again in the armed reserve from March 26 to May 10.

The stretch between the islands of Dago (Hiiumaa) and Ezel (Saaremaa).

The Baltic Customs Cruiser Flotilla was established in 1868. For information about its activities and the ships included in it, see: Ryagin S.K. Marine border guards of Russia // Gangut. Sat. articles. Issue. 4. St. Petersburg, 1992, pp. 70–80; Moshkov F. Marine Border Guard of Russia: from Peter I to the present day. SPb., 2003, pp. 13–39.

At that time, the captain of the 1st rank retired (10/17/1905) Vasily Gustavovich Vevel von Kruger (07/21/1854-?) was the head of the Vindava commercial port. He graduated from the Naval College (1875), from 1875 he served on commercial ships.

Although rare, warships still entered Vindava. So, "Volunteer" visited this port already on March 23-24, 1907 as part of a detachment of mine cruisers (RGAVMF. F. 870. Op. 1. D. 35691. L. 14 rev.).

Now Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge.

The presence of distillers on ships was necessary, since in the case of use in steam boilers sea water salt scale quickly disabled them. In the case of using exclusively received from the shore fresh water significantly reduced the area of the ship.

It should be noted that the detachment really managed to change the attitude towards the fleet of many residents of the capital.

Judging by the logbook, the Volunteer, along with other ships, moved to Kronstadt on May 28, and returned to St. Petersburg a day later, where it stayed from May 30 to June 5, after which it followed to Biorca, and from there to Moonzund (RGAVMF. F. 870. Inventory 1. D. 35691. L. 19v., 20).

Artillery weapons "Volunteer" at that time consisted of two 75-mm and six 57-mm guns. In the winter of 1909/10 on the former mine cruisers, instead of the indicated weapons, two 102-mm guns with a barrel length of 60 calibers were installed. 120-mm guns (albeit with a barrel length of 45 calibers) were available only on the Black Sea mine cruisers of the Lieutenant Shestakov type.

Treknays Voldemar Andreevich (26.02.1877-?), court councilor (25.11.1908).

Zort August Avgustovich (1861-?), State Councilor (06.12.1911).

We are talking about Lydia Khrisanfovna Zort, nee Mosolova, the daughter of a real state councilor.

Hungerburg, Hungerburg ("Hungry City" - German.) - a village at the mouth of the river. Narova. Known since the 16th century. AT late XIX- the beginning of the XX century. - summer cottage and resort for Petersburgers. In 1922 it was renamed Narva-Yyesuu (Ust-Narva). In the manuscript of G.K. The Count is erroneously called Gungenburg.

We are talking about the commander of the mine cruiser "Volunteer" Adam Vishkar, who drowned on June 30, 1907 (RGAVMF. F. 417. Op. 2. D. 966. L. 68).

The Whitehead self-propelled mine of 1904 was the first 450 mm torpedo adopted by the Russian fleet.

Balk Sergey Zakharovich (04/04/1866 - 02/27/1913), captain of the 1st rank (12/06/1910).

Smirnov 3rd Mikhail Ivanovich (06/18/1880–1940), Rear Admiral (11/20/1918).

The review, held on August 27, 1907, near Biorca, was attended by 20 mine cruisers and destroyers. Maneuvering at a speed of about 17 knots, they made 10 rebuilds within an hour.

The review had another positive effect, which was extremely important in the atmosphere of Essen's struggle for the money and coal necessary for the voyage of the detachment. Here is a telegram from the emperor to the Minister of the Sea, Adjutant General I.M. Dikov (the Shtandart yacht, August 28, 1907): “Today I reviewed nineteen mine ships of the detachment of Rear Admiral Essen and was present at evolutions and maneuvers and was quite pleased with the result of the diligent and friendly work of the detachment personnel. I wish the detachment to continue the campaign for two weeks to complete the entire training program. I am sending you a charitable order for a review through my flag-captain. Nicholas” (RGAVMF. F. 417. Op. 1. D. 3656. L. 393).

Interestingly, the next day the imperial yacht "Standard" flew out onto the rocks. N.O. was appointed chairman of the commission to investigate this incident. von Essen.

End of free trial.

BRIGADS

CRUISERS

BRIGADE OF CRUISERS OF THE MARITIME FORCES OF THE BALTIC SEA

1917-1921

1 brigade of cruisers of the Baltic Fleet. 1917-1918.
Cruiser Brigade of the Baltic Fleet. 1918-1919.
Cruiser Brigade of the Baltic Sea Naval Forces. 1920-1921.

Fund r-100, 31 items, 1916-1921

SHIPS OF THE LINE

BRIGADE OF BALTIC FLEET SHIPS

Petrograd. Kronstadt. 1920-1921

Fund r-304, 47 items, 1920-1921

TORPEDO BOATS

TEAM OF TORPEDO BOATS OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

1933-...

F. R-1960, 597 items, 1925-1940

Participation in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940. The fund contains: orders of the brigade commander; flagship historical and logbooks; materials of the political department.

2 TEAM OF TORPEDO BOATS OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

19??-19??

F. r-2147, 20 items, 1940

TOWING AND BOOMING

TOWING AND BARRIER TEAM OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

1918-1939

A detachment of minesweepers of the Baltic Sea. 1918.
Head of minesweeping in the Baltic Sea. 1918.
Head of minesweeping barrage affairs of the Baltic Sea. 1918-1920.
Trawling Division of the Baltic Sea. 1920-1922.
Squad trawling the Baltic Sea. 1922-1923.
Detachment of trawling and barrage of the Baltic Sea. 1923-1924.
Trawling and barrage brigade of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 1924-1939.

Fund r-40, 606 items, 1917-1940

Laying minefields in the Petrograd region, trawling fairways and certain areas in the Gulf of Finland; participation in the Ice passage of ships and vessels from Helsingfors to Kronstadt in the spring of 1918. The fund contains: orders for the brigade and divisions; states; reports, summaries, dispatches, reports on the conduct of minesweeping, deployment, re-equipment, navigation of ships.

DIVISIONS

GUNBOATS

GUNBOAT DIVISION OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

1939-1940

F. R-1890, 7 items, 1939-1940

Participation in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940. The fund preserved: orders of the division commander; materials on the dissolution of the division.

PATROL SHIPS

1 DIVISION OF PATROL SHIPS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE WATER REGION OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

193?-...

F. R-1895, 11 items, 1938-1940

Participation in hostilities during the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940. The fund contains: a report on the combat activities of the patrol ship Purga, materials patrol ships Storm, Snow, Cloud.

7th DIVISION OF PATROL VESSELS OF THE BALTIC SEA

1917-19??

F. r-1621, 3 items, 1917-1918

The fund has preserved: magazines of incoming and outgoing papers of the head of the division.

minesweepers

1 MINESWEEPING DIVISION FOR PROTECTION OF THE WATER REGION OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

1939-19??

F. R-1911, 8 items, 1939-1940

Participation in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940. The fund has preserved: reports on military operations.

SQUAD

BIG SHIPS

1st and 2nd detachments of large ships of the naval forces of the Baltic Sea

United Fund. 1919-1920

1 detachment of large ships of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. 1919-1920.
2nd detachment of large ships of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. 1919-1920.

F. r-97, 71 items, 1919-1920

Participation in civil war 1918-1920 The fund contains: plans for sounding the depths of the mouth of the Neva River (1919); information about the condition of the detachment’s ships, repair work and preparation of ships for long-term storage, sending sailors to the land front and to suppress the counter-revolutionary rebellion at the Krasnaya Gorka fort, preparing ships for sending to the Caspian Sea and transferring guns and ammunition of battleships to the Onega military flotilla.

LIGHT FORCES

LIGHT FORCES DEPARTMENT OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

1939-1940

F. r-929, 95 items, 1939-1940

Participation in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940, escort of transport ships, sentinel service. The fund contains: materials for personnel.

ICEBREAKING AND RESCUE

ICEBREAKING AND RESCUE TEAM OF THE MARITIME FORCES OF THE BALTIC SEA

Petrograd. 1918-1922

F. r-113, 115 items, 1918-1922

Rescue and assistance of ships and auxiliary ships of the fleet; transportation of goods. The fund contains: orders for the detachment; squad annual reports; orders of the commander of the icebreaker Kuivasto.

MINED FIGHTER BOATS

MINED FIGHTER BOAT SQUAD AND CATCHING BASE OF THE MARITIME FORCES OF THE BALTIC SEA

1920-1922

Detachment of mine fighter boats. Nizhny Novgorod. 1920-1921.
Detachment of mine fighter boats and the Lovat base of the Baltic Sea Naval Forces. 1921-1922.

F. r-106, 17 items, 1916-1922

SHIP SECURITY

SECURITY SHIPS OF THE PETROGRAD DISTRICT

1918-19??

F. r-1616, 1 item, 1918-1919

The fund has preserved: materials on personnel.

FLOATING FACILITIES

FLOATING BARRACK NO. 1 OF THE BALTIC FLEET

Kronstadt. 19??-19??

F. r-648, 14 items, 1917-1918

PRACTICAL

PRACTICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE MARITIME FORCES OF THE BALTIC SEA

1929-1930

F. r-883, 8 items, 1929-1930

Training of personnel. The voyage of the battleship Paris Commune and the cruiser Profintern from Kronstadt to Sevastopol via the Baltic and North Sea, Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean and Black Seas. The fund has preserved: the flagship historical magazine; squad orders.

SHIPS

HEAD OF THE ACTIVE TEAM OF VESSELS OF THE BALTIC SEA

Petrograd-Kronstadt. 1919-1920

F. r-109, 181 items, 1919-1920

Defense of Kronstadt and Petrograd during the civil war of 1918-1920. The fund contains: the flagship historical journal of the detachment headquarters; ship commanders' reports; materials on the preparation and dispatch of sailors to the land front.

A TEAM OF VESSELS OF THE BALTIC FLEET IN LONG-TERM STORAGE IN PETROGRAD

Petrograd. 1919-1922

F. r-110, 16 items, 1919-1922

Transfer of battleships to long-term storage; organization of storage of ships delivered to the port. The fund contains: orders for the detachment.

FINNISH-LADOGA BODY OF BORDER GUARD VESSELS OF THE MARITIME FORCES OF THE BALTIC SEA

1922-192?

F. r-1711, 3 items, 1922-1923

The fund preserved: orders of the head of the detachment; minutes of party meetings.

TRANSPORT AND YACHTS

TRANSPORT AND YACHT SQUAD OF THE BALTIC SEA

Petrograd. 1919-19??

F. r-377, 6 items, 1919-1921

Ensuring the storage of yachts; carrying out guard duty by crews. The fund preserved: orders of the head of the 1st brigade of large ships of the Baltic Sea.

TRAINING SHIPS

DEPARTMENT OF TRAINING SHIPS OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

192?-19??

F. r-851, 664 items, 1922-1940

Organization of practical voyages for naval cadets educational institutions, participation in foreign campaigns; retraining of specialists of ordinary and junior commanding staff of the reserve. The fund contains: orders of the detachment commander; plans, reports, correspondence about voyages, maneuvers, foreign campaigns of the detachment.

Skerries

SKERRY GROUP OF THE BALTIC SEA

1917-19??

F. r-1617, 5 items, 1917-1918

The fund preserved: orders of the head of the 3rd division patrol ships; minutes of the committee and general meetings of the command of the 5th division of patrol boats.

SKERRY DEPARTMENT OF THE RED SIGNED BALTIC FLEET

Transund. 1940-...

Skerry detachment of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. Kronstadt. 1940.
Skerry detachment of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. Oranienbaum. 1940.
Skerry detachment of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. Transund. 1940-...

F. r-2072, 6 items, 1940-1941

The fund preserved: orders for the detachment.

CONNECTIONS

SHIPS OF THE LINE

CONNECTIONS OF LINEAR SHIPS OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

United Fund. 1917-1939

1 brigade of battleships of the Baltic Fleet. 1917-1919.
2nd brigade of battleships of the Baltic Fleet. 1917-1919.
1 semi-brigade of battleships of the Baltic Sea Naval Forces. 1921-1922.
Demi-brigade of battleships of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. 1925-1926.
Brigade of battleships of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. 1926.
Division of battleships of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. 1926-1931.
Brigade of battleships of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 1931-1935.
Brigade of battleships of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 1936-1939.
Division of patrol ships of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. 1930-1935.
Division of patrol ships of brigades of battleships of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 1935-1939.

F. r-852, 492 items, 1917-1939

Participation in the October armed uprising in Petrograd, in the suppression of the Kerensky-Krasnov rebellion of 1917, the civil war of 1918-1920, the ice passage of ships and vessels of the Baltic Fleet from Helsingfors to Kronstadt in the spring of 1918. The fund contains: materials on the withdrawal of ships from Helsingfors to Kronstadt, the defense of Fort Ino; the beginning of peace negotiations with Germany; information on the state, modernization and repair of equipment on ships; flagship historical and radio telegraph magazines.

UNDERWATER FORCES

UNDERWATER FORCES OF THE RED BALTIC FLEET

United Fund. 1918-1941

Headquarters of the division of submarines of the Baltic Sea. 1918-1922.
Headquarters of a separate division of submarines of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. 1922-1924.
Headquarters of the submarine brigade of the Baltic Sea Naval Forces. 1924-1934.
Headquarters of the 1st Submarine Battalion. 1919-1922, 1924-1934.
Headquarters of the 2nd division of submarines. 1919-1922, 1924-1934.
The headquarters of the training division of submarines. 1933-1934.

F. r-107, 1728 items, 1918-1940

destroyer squadrons

CONNECTIONS OF DESTROYERS OF THE RED SIGN BALTIC FLEET

United Fund. 1917-1939

Mine Division of the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. 1917-1922.
Separate floating division. 1922-1924.
Destroyer squadron of the Baltic Sea Naval Forces. 1924-1935.
Destroyer brigade of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 1935-1939.
1 brigade of destroyers of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 1939.
2 destroyer brigade of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 1939.
Destroyer brigade of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 1939.

F. r-103, 955 items, 1917-1940

Participation in the October armed uprising in Petrograd in 1917, the Ice passage of ships and ships of the Baltic Fleet from Revel and Helsingfors to Kronstadt and Petrograd in the spring of 1918; sending a detachment of ships to the Volga along the Mariinsky system in August 1918. The fund contains: materials on combat training, personnel; flagship historical journals.

FLEET TRANSPORT

TRANSPORT FLOTILA OF THE MARITIME FORCES OF THE BALTIC SEA

Petrograd. 1920-1921

F. r-112, 16 items, 1920 1921

squadrons

Squadron of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet

1939-...

F. r-1135, 372 items, 1939-1944

Participation in hostilities during the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940. The fund contains: the flagship historical journal; personnel materials.