Ushakov year of birth. Beginning of a fighting career

Admiral Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov

Start of service

Russian Saint Feodor Ushakov - patron saint of military sailors

Ushakov Medal

Order of Ushakov, two degrees

F.F. Ushakov - the pride of the Fatherland

Out of 43 naval battles, he did not lose a single one...

Under his command, not a single Russian ship was lost, not a single sailor was captured by the enemy.

Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov was one of the founders of the Black Sea Fleet, and from 1790 - its commander. Thanks to a number of major victories over the Turkish fleet, Russia was able to establish lasting peace in Crimea. Ushakov successfully led the Mediterranean campaign of Russian ships during the war against France, which aroused the admiration and envy of the famous English Admiral Nelson. But Ushakov received his first award (Order of St. Vladimir, 4th degree) in 1793 not for military actions, but for his work during the fight against the plague epidemic and for caring for sailors.

In August 2001, Admiral Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov was canonized as a righteous saint and became the heavenly patron of military sailors.

“The strength of his Christian spirit was manifested not only by glorious victories in battles for the Fatherland, but also in great mercy, which even the enemy he defeated was amazed... the mercy of Admiral Feodor Ushakov covered everyone; he was truly a mourner of the people's needs: the subordinate sailors and officers, all the suffering and dispossessed who turned to him, and all the peoples he liberated outside Russia. And he did good to everyone in any way he could, and the people repaid him a hundredfold in return with love. At the same time, he was an ascetic of great virtues, an intercessor and representative for the Russian army” (From the Acts of Canonization).

Life path of F.F. Ushakova

Beginning of the biography

Fyodor Ushakov was born on February 13 (24), 1745 in the village of Burnakovo (now the Rybinsk district of the Yaroslavl region). His father, Fyodor Ignatievich Ushakov, was a retired sergeant of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment. There was a special person in their family, whose spiritual path left a deep mark on the soul of the future commander - this was his uncle, later the elder Theodore of Sanaksar. He was a monk, abbot of the Sanaksar monastery, where F.F. was buried. Ushakov. Theodore of Sanaksar was glorified in 1999 among the locally revered saints of the Saransk diocese.

F. Ushakov dreamed of the sea since childhood. It would seem, where could the attraction to the sea, which he had never seen and from which he lived very far, come from in the boy’s soul? But there is an explanation for this: a craving for the sea was born in his soul under the influence of the stories of an old fellow villager who served as a gunner in Peter’s fleet. The parents did not dismiss their son’s childhood dream and sent the 16-year-old boy to St. Petersburg to study in the Naval Corps.

After graduating from the Naval Cadet Corps in 1766, Ushakov served in the Baltic Fleet. But while still within the walls of the corps, already a midshipman, he made his first training voyage on the ship “St. Eustathius”.

Russian-Turkish War 1768-1774

Since 1769, F. Ushakov served in the Don (Azov) flotilla, in the same year he received the rank of lieutenant. At the end of 1772, under his command, the Courier was cruising in the Black Sea along the southern coast of Crimea.

Pram is a flat-bottomed artillery sailing ship from the 18th century. Armament from 18 to 38 guns was used for operations in shallow water, off the coast and in rivers against fortresses and coastal fortifications.

In 1773, Ushakov commanded the 16-gun ship Modon, participating in repelling the Turks who landed in Balaklava.

The results of this war were very important for Russia: Crimea was declared independent from Turkey. Russia received Greater and Lesser Kabarda, Azov, Kerch, Yenikale and Kinburn, with the adjacent steppe between the Dnieper and the Bug. Russian ships could sail freely in Turkish waters; Russian subjects received the right to enjoy all the benefits that the peoples allied to the Turks enjoyed within Turkey; The Porte recognized the title of Russian emperors and pledged to call them padishahs, granted amnesty and freedom of religion to Balkan Christians, and allowed Russian representatives to assume the role of defenders of the Slavs and intercede for them. The Porte also pledged to extend the amnesty to Georgia and Mingrelia and not to take any more taxes from them as boys and girls. Russian subjects received the right to visit Jerusalem and other sacred places without any payment. Türkiye agreed to pay Russia 4.5 million rubles for military costs. On January 13, 1775, the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Peace Treaty was signed.

But this Treaty, which was very unfavorable for Turkey, was the main reason for the new Russian-Turkish war.

F. Ushakov's service in the navy continued.

From 1775 he commanded a frigate, and in 1776-1779. participated in a campaign to the Mediterranean Sea with the aim of escorting frigates to the Black Sea. Performed other tasks as well. For two years (1780-1782) he commanded the battleship Victor. In subsequent years, Ushakov participated in the construction of a fleet base in Sevastopol, the vanguard of the Black Sea Fleet.

During the construction of ships in Kherson, he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir IV degree (1785) for the successful fight against the plague epidemic in the city.

Russian-Turkish War 1787-1791

At the beginning of the war, Ushakov commanded the battleship "St. Paul". F.F. Ushakov was already an experienced commander; he made a serious contribution to the development of sailing fleet tactics. Using his accumulated tactical experience, he boldly reorganized the fleet into a battle formation, placed his ship at the forefront and occupied dangerous positions, encouraging his commanders with his own courage. He could quickly assess the combat situation and carry out a decisive attack. Admiral F. F. Ushakov is rightly considered founder of the Russian tactical school in naval affairs. In battles, he won brilliant victories, while preserving the ship's crew and the ship itself.

Battle of Fidonisi

The Battle of Fidonisi on July 14, 1788 was the first naval battle of the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1792. between the fleets of Russia and the Ottoman Empire, as well as the baptism of fire of the Sevastopol squadron. And although the battle at Fidonisi did not have a significant impact on the course of the campaign, the first victory of the fleet over significantly superior enemy forces had great psychological significance.

The Turkish fleet consisted of 15 battleships (of which five were 80-gun), eight frigates, three bombardment ships and 21 small vessels.

The fleets met on the morning of July 14, 1788 near the island of Fidonisi (Snake). The balance of forces between the parties was unfavorable for the Russian fleet. The Turkish squadron had 1120 guns versus 550 for the Russian one. The Turkish ships were armed with cast iron or copper cannons, mostly 22-pounder (156 mm) caliber. The Russian squadron consisted of 2 ships of 66-gun rank, 10 frigates (from 40 to 50 guns) and 24 small ships.

Kapudan Pasha's ship found itself under fire from frigates on one side, and from Ushakov's ship on the other. All attempts by Turkish ships to correct the situation were immediately stopped by Russian frigates. A successful salvo from the frigate damaged the stern and mizzen mast of the flagship, and Hassan Pasha began to quickly leave the battlefield. The entire Turkish fleet followed him.

The success was very impressive. The Turkish fleet no longer had dominance over the sea, and Crimea was not in danger of landing. The Turkish fleet went to the Rumelian shores, and Voinovich's squadron went to Sevastopol for repairs. Potemkin appreciated Ushakov's martial art, awarding him the Order of St. George, IV degree, promoting him to rear admiral and appointing him commander of the entire naval fleet in Sevastopol.

Kerch naval battle

On July 8, 1790, the Kerch naval battle took place. A Turkish squadron with 10 battleships, 8 frigates, and 36 auxiliary ships left Turkey for a landing in the Crimea. She was met by a Russian squadron (10 battleships, 6 frigates, 1 bombardment ship, 16 auxiliary ships) under the command of Ushakov.

The Turkish fleet attacked the Russian fleet on the move, directing its main attack at the vanguard of fleet brigadier G.K. Golenkin. However, he withstood the enemy’s attack and, with accurate return fire, knocked down his offensive impulse. Kapudan Pasha continued his onslaught. Then Ushakov, having separated the weakest frigates, closed the ships more closely and hurried to the aid of the vanguard. With this maneuver, Ushakov wanted to distract the enemy with weak ships, but Hussein Pasha increased pressure on the vanguard.

It turned out that the cannonballs from the Russian frigates did not reach the enemy. Then Ushakov gave them a signal to leave the line for possible assistance to the vanguard, and for the remaining ships to close the distance that had formed between them. Unaware of the true intentions of the Russian flagship, the Turks were very happy, but in vain. Ushakov, instantly assessing the situation, signaled the reserve frigates to protect their forward ships. The frigates arrived in time and forced the Turkish vice admiral to pass between the lines under the crushing fire of the Russian ships. Meanwhile, Ushakov began to approach the enemy within shot-shot range and fired a salvo with all his artillery. The enemy was bombarded with grapeshot. The Turks were confused. They began to turn as a whole column, exposing themselves to a powerful salvo from Ushakov’s flagship 80-gun ship “Nativity of Christ” and the 66-gun “Transfiguration of the Lord,” suffering great destruction and losses in manpower, because On board the Turkish ships there was a landing party intended for landing in the Crimea. Ushakov, leaving the line, threatened with boarding (a method of conducting naval combat in the days of rowing and sailing fleets, as well as a method of coupling ships to transfer (receive) cargo or people).

The Turks wavered and fled; only the ease of movement of the Turkish ships saved them from complete defeat.

Ushakov proved himself to be a skilled commander, capable of thinking creatively and making extraordinary tactical decisions. The battle clearly demonstrated the advantage of Russian sailors in naval training and fire training. The victory of the Russian fleet in the Battle of Kerch thwarted the plans of the Turkish command to seize Crimea.

Battle of Cape Tendra

This battle was unexpected: the Turkish fleet at anchor noticed the Russian fleet sailing under full sail in marching formation under the command of Ushakov. The ratio of guns was in favor of the Turkish fleet - the Turks had 14 battleships, 8 frigates and 14 small ships, the Russians had 5 battleships, 11 frigates and 20 smaller ships. However, the Turkish fleet began to hastily retreat. But, approaching the enemy within range of a grape shot, F. F. Ushakov forced him to fight.

The victory of the Black Sea Fleet at Tendra left a bright mark on the military annals of the Russian fleet and is inscribed in the history of naval art. Ushakov's tactics were of an active offensive nature. If in the two previous battles the Black Sea Fleet initially carried out defensive actions with a transition to a counterattack, then in this case there was initially a decisive attack with a clear tactical plan. The factor of surprise was skillfully and effectively used and the principles of concentrating forces in the direction of the main attack and mutual support were implemented.

Ushakov personally participated in all episodes of the battle, being in the most responsible and dangerous places, showing his subordinates an example of courage, encouraging them to take decisive action by personal example. But he did not hinder the initiative of junior flagships and ship commanders. The Turkish fleet lost 2 thousand people wounded and killed in this battle, and the Russians lost only 21 people killed and 25 wounded.

Battle of Kaliakria

The Battle of Cape Kaliakria took place on July 31, 1791. Turkish fleet: 18 battleships, 17 frigates and 43 smaller ships at anchor. Black Sea Fleet under the command of F. F. Ushakov: 16 battleships, 2 frigates, 2 bombardment ships, 17 cruising ships, a fire ship and a rehearsal ship. The ratio of guns was 1800 versus 980 in favor of the Turks.

Rear Admiral Ushakov, completing the restructuring of the fleet into a combat order, on the fastest flagship ship “Rozhdestvo Khristovo”, contrary to the established rule in naval tactics to be in the center, went forward, overtaking his advanced ships. This allowed him to thwart the Algerian Pasha’s plan to go around the lead ships of the Black Sea Fleet. With well-aimed fire, he inflicted significant damage on him. The Algerian flagship was wounded and forced to retreat inside its battle formation.

With this maneuver, Ushakov completely disrupted the battle formation of the advanced part of the Turks, and the Black Sea Fleet successfully developed the attack. At the same time, the Turkish ships were so cramped that they fired at each other. The Turkish ships began to leave.

On August 8, Ushakov received news of the conclusion of a truce and an order to return to Sevastopol.

In 1793, F. Ushakov was promoted to vice admiral.

Mediterranean campaign of F. Ushakov

In 1798-1800 By order of Emperor Paul I, Ushakov was appointed commander of the Russian naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea to support the actions of the troops of the anti-French coalition.

last years of life

In 1807, Admiral Ushakov was dismissed with his uniform and pension and after some time settled in the acquired village of Alekseevka, Temnikovsky district, Tambov province, not far from the Sanaksarsky monastery.

In the last years of his life, F. F. Ushakov devoted himself to prayer and was engaged in charitable activities. He died on October 14, 1817 on his estate in the village of Alekseevka (now the Republic of Mordovia).

In honor of Admiral F. Ushakov

Ships, military educational institutions, streets and squares, and cathedrals are named in honor of the famous naval commander. A bay in the southeastern part of the Barents Sea and a cape on the northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk are named after him. Asteroid 3010 Ushakov was named in honor of Ushakov. Numerous monuments have been erected to him, including in Bulgaria and Italy.

Ushakov Medal

State award of the USSR and the Russian Federation. The Ushakov Medal was awarded to sailors and soldiers, foremen and sergeants, midshipmen and warrant officers of the Navy and naval units of the border troops for the courage and courage shown in defending the Fatherland in maritime theaters both in war and in peacetime.

Order of Ushakov

Soviet naval award from the Great Patriotic War. The Order of Ushakov is awarded to officers of the Navy for outstanding achievements in the development, conduct and support of naval active operations, resulting in victory over a numerically superior enemy in the battles for the Motherland.

Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov (February 13 (24), 1745 - October 2 (14, 1817) - an outstanding Russian naval commander, admiral (1799), commander of the Black Sea Fleet.

Fyodor Ushakov was born on February 13 (24), 1745 in the village of Burnakovo (now the Rybinsk district of the Yaroslavl region), into a poor noble family, baptized in the Church of the Epiphany on the Island in the village of Khopylevo. Parents - Fyodor Ignatievich (1710-1781) and Paraskeva Nikitichna, uncle - elder Fyodor Sanaksarsky. In post-Petrine times, noble youths were usually assigned to the guard, Fyodor Ignatievich also served in it, but after the birth of his third son, Fyodor, he was dismissed from service with the award of sergeant rank to the Life Guards Regiment. Returning to his native village, he exchanged royal service for household chores and raising children.

The youth Fedor, possessing an innate fearlessness of character, often, accompanied by the same daredevils, dared, as biographers note, to feats beyond his years - for example, he went bear hunting with the headman of his village. At the age of sixteen, Fedor was presented for review at the Senate Heraldry Office, where he showed that “he was trained in Russian literacy and writing... he, Feodor, wants to join the Naval Cadet Corps as a cadet.” The Naval Cadet Corps was located in St. Petersburg, on the corner of the Bolshaya Neva embankment and the 12th line of Vasilyevsky Island. In February 1761, Fyodor Ushakov was enrolled there.

The future admiral, distinguished by his good studies and good morals, diligently studied the sciences taught to him, showing a special inclination towards arithmetic, navigation and history, and five years later (1766) he successfully, one of the best, graduated from the Naval Corps, received the rank of midshipman and was promoted to oath: “Az, Theodore Ushakov, I promise and swear by Almighty God before His Holy Gospel that I want and owe HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY my most gracious Sovereign EMPRESS EKATERINA ALEXEEVNA AUTOCRITSE and HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY MOST DEAR Son Sovereign Ts Ezarevich and Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich, legitimate All-Russian throne to the Heir, serve faithfully and unhypocritically and obey in everything, not sparing your belly to the last drop of blood.... In what may the Lord God Almighty help me!” The entire subsequent life of Fyodor Fedorovich became confirmation that he did not betray the oath he had taken in anything.

P.N. Bazhanov. "Portrait of Admiral F. F. Ushakov." 1912

After graduating from the Naval Corps, Fyodor Ushakov was sent to the Baltic Sea Fleet. The northern seas are rarely calm, and for the young officer it was a good naval school. At the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th century, the state task of returning the Black Sea coast to Russia was put forward. Since 1769, he served in the Don (Azov) flotilla and participated in the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774. On June 30, 1769 he received the rank of lieutenant. The joy of promotion was short-lived: Ushakov learned that his bride had been married off and was in the process of giving birth. Yielding to her mother’s persuasion, she agreed to become the wife of a rich Greek merchant. Until the end of his days, Ushakov will love this woman and care about her fate, and the boy born in the future will serve as a naval officer under his command.

I. Aivazovsky. "Chesme fight"

The appointment on board the frigate "Northern Eagle", departing for the Mediterranean expedition, was very opportune. Only the sea could heal the “wounded heart” of the young lieutenant commander. During the campaign, Ushakov hones his knowledge of foreign languages and makes acquaintances with foreign “colleagues”. At the end of 1772, he received command of the bot “Courier” and was cruising in the Black Sea along the southern coast of Crimea. In 1773, commanding the 16-gun ship Modon, he took part in repelling the Turks who landed in Balaklava.

N.G. Nikolaev. "Admiral Ushakov". 2005

In 1775, under Empress Catherine II, a decision was made to create a linear fleet on the Black Sea. From 1775 he commanded a frigate. Participated in a campaign to the Mediterranean Sea with the aim of escorting frigates to the Black Sea. In 1778, thirty miles above the mouth of the Dnieper, not far from the Glubokaya Pristan tract, the Admiralty was established, and the port and city of Kherson were founded. In 1780, Fyodor Ushakov was appointed commander of the imperial yacht, but soon achieved a transfer to a battleship. In 1780-1782, the commander of the battleship "Victor", who participated in the implementation of the policy of "Armed Neutrality" as part of a squadron in the Mediterranean Sea.

A. Shorokhov. "Sevastopol is under construction."

Since 1783, captain of the second rank Fyodor Ushakov participated in the construction of ships in Kherson and the construction of a fleet base in Sevastopol. He received his first award - the Order of St. Vladimir, IV degree (1783) for the successful fight against the plague epidemic in Kherson. By a treaty between Russia and Turkey on December 28, 1783, Crimea was finally annexed to Russia. And then Catherine II issued a decree on the construction of new fortifications on the southern borders, among which it was necessary to build “the great fortress of Sevastopol, where Akhtiyar is now and where there should be an Admiralty, a shipyard for the first rank of ships, a port and a military village.” Ushakov took over the main command over the port and city of Sevastopol.

V.D. Ilyukhin. “Meeting of A.V. Suvorov and F.F. Ushakov in Sevastopol.”

At the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1792, Ushakov was the commander of the battleship "St. Paul" and the vanguard of the Black Sea Fleet. Soon the first general battle took place. The Turkish fleet consisted of seventeen battleships and eight frigates, and in the Russian squadron, the vanguard of which was commanded by captain of brigadier rank Fyodor Ushakov, there were only two battleships and ten frigates. On June 29, 1788, the opponents discovered each other and, being in mutual proximity, tried to take an advantageous position and maintain the battle line.

Panasenko S.P. "Battleship "St. Paul". Ushakov's flagship."

But on July 3, near the island of Fidonisi, a battle became inevitable. The Turkish fleet with all the power of its line began to descend on the Russian ships. And then Ushakov’s vanguard detachment, “using diligence and art,” added sail and with a decisive maneuver made it impossible for the commander of the Turkish fleet, Eski-Gassan, to capture the Russian ships and board them. At the same time, Ushakov cut off two advanced Turkish ships from the main forces. They, in turn, having discovered their disastrous situation, without waiting for any signal, rushed to flee “with great haste.” Eski-Gassan was forced to set off in pursuit of his ships. Victory was for the Russian squadron. For the first time in open battle, the small Russian fleet won a victory over superior enemy forces.

F. F. Ushakov makes a serious contribution to the development of sailing fleet tactics. He was distinguished by a quick assessment of the situation, an accurate calculation of all success factors and a decisive attack aimed at achieving complete victory over the enemy. In his report, Ushakov did not attribute the success to himself, but paid tribute to the courage and desire for victory of his subordinates: “All the gentlemen chief officers and lower rank servants on the team of the ship “St. Paul” entrusted to me, each according to his rank, performed the positions assigned to me by him. such excellent diligence and brave spirit that I consider it a necessary duty to attribute to them all worthy praise for this..."

The first year of the war ended, in which the Turkish naval forces were crushed, and the young Black Sea Fleet won a decisive victory, bringing the Ottoman Porte “into extreme fear and horror.” Ushakov, having received the rank of rear admiral, was appointed commander of the Black Sea Fleet at the beginning of 1790. The prince wrote to the Empress: “Thanks to God, our fleet and flotilla are already stronger than the Turkish ones. There is a Rear Admiral Ushakov in the Sevastopol Fleet. Very knowledgeable, enterprising and eager to serve. He will be my assistant."

Maslov Oleg Sergeevich. "Admiral Ushakov".

At the beginning of July 1790, not far from the Kerch Strait, another battle took place, in which Ushakov’s squadron again won a brilliant victory. Russian sailors understood: where Ushakov is, there is victory! Prince Potemkin reported to the Empress: “... the battle was fierce and for us all the more glorious because Rear Admiral Ushakov attacked the enemy twice as hard as he was... he defeated him badly and drove him until the night... Rear Admiral Ushakov was excellent advantages. I am sure that he will become a great naval leader...” Catherine II replied: “We celebrated the victory of the Black Sea Fleet over the Turkish Fleet yesterday with a prayer service at Kazanskaya... I ask you to say a great thank you to Rear Admiral Ushakov on my behalf and to all his subordinates.”

Alexander Blinkov. "The Battle of Tendra Island, August 28-29, 1790."

On the morning of August 28, the Turkish fleet was anchored between Hajibey (later Odessa) and Tendra Island. Hussein Pasha saw the Russian fleet coming under full sail from the direction of Sevastopol. Ushakov, instantly assessing the situation, ordered the squadron to carry all sails and, approaching the enemy within range of a grape shot, brought down the full power of the airborne artillery on the leading part of the Turkish fleet. Ushakov's flagship ship "Rozhdestvo Khristovo" fought with three enemy ships, forcing them to leave the line. The Russian ships bravely followed the example of their leader. “Our people, thanks to God, gave the Turks such pepper that they liked it. Thanks to Fyodor Fedorovich,” Prince Potemkin responded enthusiastically to this victory.

I.I. Rodinov. "The Battle of Cape Kaliakra on July 31, 1791."

In 1791, the Russian-Turkish war ended with the brilliant victory of Rear Admiral Ushakov at Cape Kaliakria. The Russian state, having strengthened its position in the south, “stood firmly on the shores of the Black Sea that it had conquered.” For such a famous victory, Rear Admiral Fyodor Ushakov was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. At the beginning of 1793, he was called by the Empress to St. Petersburg. Catherine II wished to see a hero who had gained such great fame, and “met in him a straightforward, modest man, little familiar with the demands of social life.” For his services to the throne and the Fatherland, Catherine II presented him with a gift of extraordinary beauty, a golden folding cross with the relics of holy saints.

In the same year, Fyodor Ushakov was awarded the rank of vice admiral. In 1796, Emperor Paul I ascended the Russian throne. Soon, Sultan Selim III accepted the Russian Emperor's proposal for an alliance against France and turned to Paul I with a request to send an auxiliary squadron. At the beginning of August 1798, while near the Sevastopol raid with the squadron entrusted to him, Fyodor Ushakov received the Highest order to “immediately follow and assist with the Turkish fleet against the malicious intentions of France, as a violent people who destroyed not only within their own faith and the God-established government and laws ... but also among neighboring peoples who, by misfortune, were defeated by him or deceived by their treacherous suggestions...”

E. Parchment maker. "Ushakov."

Heading for Constantinople, the Russian squadron soon approached the Bosporus, and this was enough for the Porte to immediately declare war on Republican France. The Russian squadron stayed in Constantinople for two weeks; On September 8, “giving the Turks an experience of unprecedented order and discipline,” she weighed anchor and, with a favorable wind, headed her way to the Dardanelles, to the junction with the Turkish fleet. Vice Admiral Ushakov was appointed commander of the joint forces.

The first task of the squadron was to capture the Ionian Islands, located along the southwestern coast of Greece, the main of which, Corfu, already having the most powerful bastions in Europe, was still significantly fortified by the French and was considered impregnable. Emperor Paul I promoted Fyodor Ushakov to admiral for the victory at Corfu. This was the last award he received from his sovereigns. It was necessary to form a new statehood on the liberated islands, and Admiral Ushakov, as the plenipotentiary representative of Russia, managed to create a form of government in the Ionian Islands that provided “peace, quiet and tranquility” to all the people.

Meanwhile, his mission in the Mediterranean has not yet ended. In Northern Italy, the Russians, led by the glorious Suvorov, crushed the “invincible” army of the French. Suvorov asked Admiral Ushakov from the south to provide him with all possible support. Being in close cooperation, they beat the French Republicans on land and at sea. On October 26, 1800, the squadron of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov entered Sevastopol Bay. On the night of March 11, 1801, Emperor Paul I was killed by conspirators. His son Alexander I ascended to the Russian throne. Russia's policies were changing.

Soon Admiral Ushakov was transferred to St. Petersburg. At the Court, the prevailing opinion was that a large fleet was unnecessary for “land” Russia. The then naval minister said about the fleet that “it is a burdensome luxury,” and another figure in the naval department wrote: “Russia cannot be among the leading maritime powers, and there seems to be neither benefit nor need for that.” In 1804, Fyodor Fedorovich compiled a detailed note about his service to the Russian fleet, in which he summarized his activities: “Thanks be to God, during all the aforementioned battles with the enemy and during the entire existence of this fleet under my command at sea, the preservation of the Most High Goodness, not a single ship from this fleet not a single person from our servants was lost to the enemy and captured.”

Continuing to serve as the chief commander of the Baltic Rowing Fleet, and in addition also the head of the St. Petersburg naval teams and the chairman of the qualification commission “for the promotion to class ranks of skippers, sub-skippers, non-commissioned officers and clerks of the Baltic and Black Sea ports,” formed at the Naval Cadet Corps Fyodor Ushakov tried to fulfill these duties with jealousy and diligence, as was generally typical of him in any business. On December 19, 1806, he submitted his resignation to the Emperor: “My spiritual feelings and sorrow, which have depleted the strength of my strength and health, are known to God - may His holy will be done. I accept everything that happened to me with the deepest reverence...” Having retired from official affairs, he lived for some time in St. Petersburg, continuing to patronize his nephews, and was preparing to move to a permanent and now last place in his life.

Commemorative coin of the Bank of Russia, dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the birth of F. F. Ushakov. 2 rubles, silver, 1994.

He had several small villages in his homeland in the Yaroslavl province, and there was a plot of land near Sevastopol. He chose to live in the quiet village of Alekseevka, in Temnikovsky district, near the Sanaksar Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery, where during the years of his military exploits his uncle, the Monk Theodore, prayed for him. The Patriotic War of 1812 began. At the provincial meeting of the nobility, in which Fyodor Fedorovich was unable to take part due to illness, he was elected by a majority vote as the head of the internal Tambov militia. “For the favorable, kind opinion of me and for the honor done, I offer my most humble gratitude,” answered the admiral. “With excellent zeal and zeal, I would like to accept this position and serve the Fatherland, but with extreme regret due to illness and great weakness of health, I am in no way able and unable to take it upon myself and fulfill it.”

But, meanwhile, together with the Temnikov cathedral archpriest Asinkrit Ivanov, he set up a hospital for the wounded, giving money for its maintenance. They contributed two thousand rubles to the formation of the 1st Tambov Infantry Regiment. Back in 1803, he contributed twenty thousand rubles to the Board of Guardians of the St. Petersburg Orphanage; Now he transferred the entire amount with the interest due on it to the benefit of those devastated by the war: “I have long had a desire to distribute all this money without withdrawal to the needy and wandering, who do not have homes, clothing and food.” "Do not despair! - he said - These formidable storms will turn to the glory of Russia. Faith, love for the Fatherland and commitment to the Throne will triumph. I don't have much time left to live; I’m not afraid of death, I only want to see the new glory of the dear Fatherland!”

Nativity of the Mother of God Sanaksar Monastery.

Entirely and every day devoted to maritime affairs, Fyodor Fedorovich lived his entire life as a bachelor. In his old age, while living on his estate, he became almost a hermit. The rest of his days, according to the same hieromonk Nathanael, the admiral spent “extremely abstinent and ended his life as a true Christian and faithful son of the Holy Church should on the 2nd day of October 1817 and was buried at his request in the monastery next to his relative from the nobles, the chief the monastery of this hieromonk Theodore by the name of Ushakov.” He died at the age of 74 and was buried in the Sanaksar monastery in the Temnikovsky district of the Tambov province.

Grave of F.F. Ushakova.

Relics of F.F. Ushakov in the Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the Sanaksar Monastery.

Name F.F. Ushakov is an island in the north of the Kara Sea, a bay in the Anadyr Gulf of the Bering Sea and a cape on the northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. The coastal defense battleship Admiral Ushakov, launched in 1893 and killed on May 15 (28), 1905 in the Battle of Tsushima, was named in his honor. During the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet government established the Ushakov Medal and the Order of Ushakov, 1st and 2nd degree, on March 3, 1944.

On October 6, 2004, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church ranked the admiral among the general church saints in the ranks of the righteous as the righteous warrior Theodore Ushakov. The memory is celebrated (according to the Julian calendar) on May 23 (Cathedral of Rostov Saints), July 23 and October 2. Fyodor Ushakov (not to be confused with his uncle and namesake monk Theodore of Sanaksar) is revered as the patron saint of the Russian Navy (since 2000) and strategic air force (since 2005).

T. Simonova. Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov is a holy Russian admiral.

The history of our army and navy is full of outstanding personalities. These are people who had a strong influence on the development of not only the military industry, but also the entire statehood of the country. One of these was Admiral Ushakov. The biography of this wonderful man is given in this article.

His fame is evidenced by the fact that in the navies of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union there were several ships named after him. In particular, even one cruiser of the USSR Navy. Since 1944, the Ushakov Order and Medal have existed. A number of objects in the Arctic are named after him.

Initial period of life

Fyodor Ushakov, the future admiral, was born in the tiny village of Burnakovo, lost in the vastness of the Moscow province, in February 1745. He came from a landowner's family, but not too rich. It is not surprising that he had to go to school early so as not to force his parents to spend money on his maintenance. In 1766 he studied in the cadet corps, receiving the rank of midshipman. His naval career began on the Baltic Sea. Ushakov immediately showed himself to be a capable commander and

Beginning of service, first successes

Already in 1768-1774, during the first war with the Turks, Ushakov commanded several at once. He also participated in the heroic defense of the Crimean coast.

In the Baltic, Fyodor Ushakov commanded the frigate "St. Paul", and subsequently made the transition to the Mediterranean Sea on it. He carried out important assignments for transporting timber at the St. Petersburg shipyard. In 1780, he was even appointed commander of the imperial yacht, but the future admiral refused this boring post and applied for a transfer back to a battleship. At the same time, Ushakov received the rank of captain of the second rank.

From 1780 to 1782 he commanded the battleship Victor. During this period, Ushakov was constantly on raids: he and his crew protected trade routes from English privateers, who at that time were completely unruly.

Role in the creation of the Black Sea Fleet

Admiral Ushakov is especially famous for one act. His biography includes the fact that this man was one of the founders of the entire Black Sea Fleet. Since 1783, he was busy building the Sevastopol base for the fleet, and personally supervised the training of new crews on ships. By 1874, Ushakov became Then he received the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th degree, for his fight against the plague epidemic in Kherson. After this, he was entrusted with command of the ship "St. Paul" and given the rank of brigade captain.

War with the Turks

During the next war with the Turks, from 1787 to 1791, the most high-profile victories of the Russian fleet are associated with the name of Ushakov. Thus, in a naval battle near the island of Fidonisi (now called Zmeiny), which took place on July 3, 1788, Admiral Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov personally led the vanguard of four frigates. The Turkish fleet at that time consisted of 49 ships at once, and it was commanded by Eski-Hassan.

We had only 36 ships, and there were five times fewer battleships. It was Ushakov, skillfully maneuvering and not allowing the Turks to get closer, who managed to drive away two of their leading battleships, putting them to flight with the fire of his guns. This battle lasted three hours, as a result of which the entire Turkish fleet chose to retreat. For this battle, the future Admiral Ushakov (his biography is described in the article) was awarded the Knights of St. George.

New exploits

The next two years did not go well. Nevertheless, in 1790, the entire Black Sea Fleet was transferred under the control of Ushakov. The active officer immediately began training the crews of the main battleships. Soon an opportunity presented itself to check the work: at Sinop, Rear Admiral Ushakov’s squadron bombed almost thirty enemy ships. In response, the entire Turkish squadron entered the raid. Anticipating this, the talented commander brought his fleet out in advance and anchored it nearby in order to block the breakthrough of Turkish ships to the Crimea and prevent the landing of enemy troops. This is how the Kerch naval battle began. Subsequently, it was included in almost all textbooks on naval combat, since the techniques used by the admiral were truly advanced for their time.

New battle

However, soon Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov (whose biography contains many such episodes) decided to meet the Turkish squadron halfway. This temptation turned out to be irresistible for the Turks: relying on a fair wind, they decided to swoop down on the Russian fleet and destroy it.

However, their plan was obvious to Ushakov, and therefore he promptly gave the command to reorganize and allocate several battleships to reliably cover the vanguard. When the latter engaged the Turks in battle, the rest of the Russian ships arrived. By three o'clock in the afternoon the wind began to favor our fleet. The ships of the two squadrons quickly began to approach each other, and soon their gunners entered into a tense duel.

The Russian gunners showed themselves simply superbly in this battle. Soon, most of the Turkish ships, due to severe destruction of the equipment, could no longer participate in the battle. A little more, and the Russians began to celebrate a complete and unconditional victory. The Turks managed to escape only thanks to the superior characteristics of their compact and nimble ships. Thus, the history of the Black Sea Fleet was replenished with another glorious victory.

Many historians note that in that battle the enemy did not lose a single ship sunk, but the condition of the Turkish squadron was such that it certainly could not go into battle in the coming months. In addition, their crews suffered huge losses in manpower, and the landing troops were seriously battered. The Russians killed only 29 people. It was in honor of this victory that in 1915 one of the fleet’s battleships was given the name “Kerch”.

Battle near Tendra

At the end of the summer of 1790, a rather significant battle took place at Cape Tendra, where Ushakov’s squadron suddenly came across the Turks, who were freely anchored. The admiral disregarded all the traditions of the fleet, ordering an attack on the move, without long formations. Confidence in success was fueled by the presence of a traditional reserve of four frigates.

The Turkish squadron was commanded by Kapudan Pasha Hussein. He was an experienced naval commander, but even he had to retreat after several hours of intense battle. The flagship of the Russian fleet, “Rozhdestvo Khristovo”, under the command of Ushakov himself, fought a simultaneous battle with three enemy ships at once. When the Turks fled, Russian ships pursued them until darkness, after which they had to anchor.

The next day the battle resumed with renewed vigor. Several hours of battle ended in the complete victory of our fleet. For this, the admiral was awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree, as well as half a thousand assigned to the Mogilev province. After this, Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov, in short, became a “purebred” landowner-landowner. However, he almost never visited his estates, being constantly busy with the fleet.

Battle of Kaliakria, new victories

On land, Türkiye suffered constant defeats. Sultan Pasha decided to win back by taking revenge at sea. Warships were assembled throughout the empire, and soon an incredibly powerful fleet was stationed near Istanbul. He, numbering 78 ships, soon anchored near Cape Kaliakria. Since the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr began at that time, some of the crews were released ashore.

However, the Russian government at this time began negotiations with the weakened enemy, which the Turks were only happy about. But Admiral Ushakov (his biography was thus replenished with another battle) did not know about this when he came across the Turkish fleet. According to his old habit, he immediately gave the order to rebuild into a marching position, simultaneously firing at the enemy squadron from all guns.

The Turks tried to repeat the maneuver, withdrawing from the raid under fire. This is how the battle began at the already mentioned flagship of the Russian fleet, “Rozhdestvo Khristovo,” which attacked the enemy on the move. Soon after this, the enemy squadron was scattered, and in 1791 a peace treaty was finally signed.

Post-war work

After the war, the admiral devoted all his energy and time to the preparation and development of the Black Sea Fleet. In 1793 he received the rank of vice admiral. During this period, Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich, whose biography is full of significant events, already has enormous authority in the fleet, even his enemies respect him.

And then a curious turn of history happens: Russia, as part of a coalition against the French, becomes an ally of Turkey, with which Ushakov fought a couple of years ago. During the Mediterranean expedition of 1798-1800, the admiral visited Istanbul, where Kadir Bey’s fleet joined his squadron. The task was difficult: to liberate many islands (including the Greek Corfu), and also to connect with the British under the command of Nelson.

Capture of Corfu

Almost all the intended targets were captured on the move, but Corfu was a powerful fortress, and therefore Ushakov first ordered it to be taken into the ring of a naval blockade. The combined squadron did not have enough infantry, so it was premature to think about an assault. After long and persistent negotiations, the Turkish side finally sent 4.5 thousand landing troops, and another 2 thousand were local militia. It was possible to draw up a plan for taking the object.

Russian paratroopers, who landed on the shore under fire from the fort, began to quickly build two artillery batteries. The rest of the infantry was ordered to attack the advanced French fortifications. At the same time, the assault on Vido Island began, the garrison of which quickly capitulated.

The naval artillery successfully suppressed the French batteries, after which the assault began. Part of the wall was quickly captured, after which the garrison realized that further resistance would not lead to anything good. Negotiations for surrender began on the admiral's ship St. Paul.

Diplomat career

For this operation, Ushakov was promoted to full admiral. Even the Turks presented their former enemy with many valuable gifts, recognizing his military talent. After these events, the Russian squadron actively assisted Suvorov’s ground forces, which at that time were deployed in Northern Italy. Actively operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the Russian admiral completely shackled the enemy’s trade routes, simultaneously blocking the ports in Genoa and Ancona. The landing of his ships performed excellently during the assault and liberation of Naples and Rome from French troops.

At this time, the old sailor amazed everyone with his talent as a subtle and skillful diplomat, who knew how to extinguish problems in the bud and negotiate with opponents. It was he who contributed to the formation of the Republic of the Seven Islands in Greece, and together with other diplomats created the Greek Senate. Almost all the islanders accepted the introduction of the new order with delight. These innovations glorified Ushakov in those parts, but caused extreme discontent

End of career

All those six months that the admiral spent in the Ionian Islands were an ongoing triumph. Local residents treated the naval commander as their liberator from the French occupation. The squadron returned to its homeland on September 26, 1800, mooring in Sevastopol. The emperor was extremely dissatisfied with Ushakov's republican views, but could not do anything with him, fearing the reaction of the army and navy. In 1802, he was removed from truly important areas, appointed head of the rowing fleet in the Baltic and training camps for sailors.

However, Ushakov himself was happy about this: many years of sailing did not contribute to improving his health, and therefore already in 1807 he retired. During the French attack in 1812, he led the Tambov militia, but due to poor physical health he no longer personally participated in the battles. The famous naval commander died in 1817 and was solemnly buried in the Sanaskari monastery.

Ushakov went down in the history of maritime affairs around the world not only as an unsurpassed admiral in terms of efficiency, but also as the author of a completely new battle tactics for the sailing fleet. He paid great attention to the training of the crews of each ship of his squadron, which made him very different from the commanders of those years. The admiral was loved by his subordinates: he was tough and demanding, but not cruel.

What else is Ushakov known for? Interesting facts about him are amazing: when an order and medal named after him were established in the USSR, it turned out... that no one knows what the great naval commander looked like in reality. His only portrait dated from 1912, when the admiral had been dead for a hundred years. The solution to the problem was proposed by the famous anthropologist Gerasimov: the admiral’s crypt was opened (and it turned out that some vandals had already managed to steal all personal belongings and a golden sword), the scientist took measurements from the skull, on the basis of which a reconstruction of the appearance was created. This happened in 1944.

But that's not all. In our time, this outstanding person was canonized by the Orthodox Church. Now Saint Admiral Ushakov is the patron of all travelers and those people who are just about to set off on a long journey.

And one more fact. In the Sanaksar Monastery there are graves of... two Fedorov Ushakovs. One of them is the admiral himself. The other belongs to his uncle, who during his lifetime was the abbot of this monastery. Studying the archives, scientists found that the famous sailor loved to visit these walls, taking a break from the bustle of the world. That is why he wrote a will, according to which he had to be buried next to his uncle.

Fedor Ushakov is an admiral who made a huge contribution to the development of the Russian navy. This outstanding man is one of the best naval commanders of all times. Several ships were named after him in the navies of the Russian Empire and the USSR.

During the Great Patriotic War, the names of outstanding commanders and naval commanders of previous eras began to be applied to orders and medals. Stalin sought to emphasize the continuity of the victorious tradition. In 1944, an order and medal appeared in honor of the famous admiral. Before this, it was believed that the new Soviet state had to abandon any mention of the tsarist regime. Generals and naval commanders of the Russian Empire were also banned.

Who is Fedor Ushakov? The admiral whose victorious actions were included in treatises on the art of war? A patriot who dedicated his life only to serving the state? Let's try to figure it out in this article.

Origin

Where was Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich born? His biography begins with the village of Burnakovo, Moscow province. The future hero was born in February 1745 in the family of a small landowner. From his father he received only a title of nobility, without which it was impossible to move up the career ladder. There was not enough money, the family could barely make ends meet. At the age of 16, his parents sent him to the Naval Corps in St. Petersburg.

Carier start

The future naval commander made his first training voyage with the rank of midshipman after two years of study in the Naval Corps. In 1766, Fedor Fedorovich graduated from the educational institution with the rank of midshipman. His career begins in the Baltic. Here he makes his first long voyage: on the Nargin ship from Kronstadt to Arkhangelsk around Scandinavia.

Beginning of a fighting career

During the Russian-Turkish campaign of 1768-1774, Ushakov, with the rank of lieutenant, commanded several battleships - sailing military ships made of wood with a displacement of up to 6 thousand tons. With them, he defended Crimea from the Turkish landing and from the indignation of the Tatars. These were powerful ships of that era. They received the name “linear” because of the tactics of their use: the ships lined up in one line and fired a salvo from all guns at the same time. Such tactics caused enormous damage not only to ships, but also to the coastline and fortresses. One such ship had up to 135 guns on board and up to one thousand crew members. Only the steamship fleet replaced battleships in the mid-19th century.

Climbing the career ladder

After the campaign of 1768-1774, Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov began to rapidly climb the career ladder:

Even during the war with Turkey, he received the task of creating a flotilla on the Don and a port in Taganrog with the rank of lieutenant.
In 1776, already with the rank of captain-lieutenant, he took part in the campaign to Livorno, after which he was appointed commander of the frigate "Pavel".
Until 1779, the future admiral continued campaigns in the Adriatic Sea and on the archipelago.
In 1780, Ushakov received a promotion: he became the commander of the imperial yacht. However, he already knows the smell of gunpowder and the taste of victory, so his soul is drawn to the army fleet.
In 1781, he again went to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the squadron of Rear Admiral Sukhotin as commander of the ship "Victor".
In 1785, as captain of the 1st rank, he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class, and gratitude from the Admiralty for stopping the epidemic in Kherson. The infection was brought from the Turkish capital on merchant ships.

Career blossoming

Fyodor Ushakov is an admiral whose career peaked during the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791. The reason for the war: Turkey’s desire to take revenge for the previous defeat, as a result of which Crimea was torn away from the influence of the Ottomans. The Sultan also wanted to completely ban the Russian fleet from appearing in the Black Sea. Türkiye, Russia, Austria, France and England took part in the war. Our “eternal friends” France and England provided assistance and support to Turkey. On the side of our country was Austria, which was also interested in weakening the Ottomans. It was during this war that Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov reached the peak of his career and fame. We'll talk about this in more detail below.

The famous naval commander begins the war as a captain of brigadier rank. He took part in the first campaigns of the Black Sea Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Voinovich as commander of the ship "Pavel".

In 1790, the holy righteous warrior Fyodor Ushakov - this is the official title given by the Russian Orthodox Church - becomes rear admiral of the Black Sea Fleet. He owed his position to Prince Potemkin.

In his new position, he walked around the eastern coast of the Black Sea, destroying 26 enemy ships.

Victories of F. F. Ushakov in the war of 1787-1791

What victories did Fedor Ushakov win? Battles near Khalzhi Bey, at Kaliakria, the battle of the Yenikol Strait and many others are included in this glorious list.

For repelling the Turkish attack at the Yenikol Strait on July 8, 1790 and for the final defeat of the enemy fleet near Hadji Bey on August 28 and 29 of the same year, Rear Admiral Ushakov received the Order of St. Vladimir, 1st class, and St. George, 2nd class.

In 1791, he again defeated the Turkish fleet at Kaliakria, for which he was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky.

In 1793, Ushakov again received a promotion: he was promoted to vice admiral.

Unexpected alliance and appointment to admiral

Since 1798, Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich has been an admiral. Ironically, it was his joint activities with the Turkish fleet that brought him the highest rank in the navy. In August 1798, he received the highest order (direct order from the reigning persons) to go to Constantinople. Next, the Russian flotilla joins the Turkish one for a joint expedition to the Mediterranean Sea. Upon completion, Ushakov receives the highest naval rank and the Diamond Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. The Turkish Sultan Selim the Third highly appreciated the talent of the Russian naval commander, giving him two diamond snuff boxes, two diamond feathers and a rich sable fur coat.

What are the reasons for the joint Russian-Turkish alliance? For the whole world, this was a complete surprise: it was believed that Turkey and Russia were the most irreconcilable enemies. However, the great Count Potemkin did everything possible to convey to the Turkish Sultan the idea that sooner or later the Ottoman Empire would be torn apart. The first thing they will take away is the Suez Canal in Egypt. Potemkin turned out to be right: on July 1, 1798, the French army landed in Egypt. This was a real shock for the entire Turkish leadership: it was France that participated in the creation of a combat-ready Turkish fleet to fight against Russia. Türkiye was simply confident that Napoleon was their most faithful ally.

The Russian Empire took advantage of the situation: it concluded a military-defensive alliance against France, so a joint expedition under the command of Ushak Pasha (F. F. Ushakov) became possible.

Naval victories in the Mediterranean

While the famous Suvorov was crushing French troops in Italy, Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov was winning naval victories in the Mediterranean Sea.

The allied Russian-Turkish fleet consisted of 10 battleships, 13 frigates and corvettes, 7 small ships. The English flotilla of Horatio Nelson was also waiting for them in Naples. A Russian landing force of 1,700 naval battalion grenadiers and 35 midshipmen was formed for landing on the Ionian Islands. Türkiye pledged to recruit up to 17 thousand landing troops.

Formally, the allied fleet did not have a single command. The Russian flotilla was commanded by F.F. Ushakov, the Turkish one by Kadyr Bey. However, the Turkish Sultan himself recognized Uşak Pasha's dominant position, knowing his previous successes against the Ottoman Empire.

In just a month and a half, 4 islands from the 7 Ionian archipelago were cleared: St. Maura, Kefalonia, Zante, Tserigo. 1,300 enemy soldiers were captured, 44 were killed. The loss of the Russians was 2 killed and 6 wounded, the Turks - 4 killed.

Ushakov believed that the ease of victories lay in the fragmentation of the French forces, as well as in the support of the local Greek population. The last factor was key: thanks to the participation of the Russians, the Greeks sided with the alliance. If only Turks had participated in the expedition, the local population would have gone over to the French side.

The vice admiral openly showed sympathy for the Orthodox population. It is this expedition to liberate the Orthodox people of the Ionian Islands that will serve as the basis for their future canonization. St. Fyodor Ushakov not only liberated the local Orthodox population from the Jacobins, but also maintained public order on the islands. The Greeks greatly appreciated the help of the Russian squadron and showed it all kinds of honors. However, there was no such attitude towards our allies: for the Greeks, the Turks were even more undesirable than the French. This led to conflicts between Russians and Turks. Ushakov convinced the Greek population to give the Ottomans the same honors.

Capture of Corfu

Fedor Ushakov is an admiral who showed all his talent during the capture of the Corfu fortress. The planned amphibious assault operation with the support of battleships was among the best military operations of all time.

Corfu is a system of fortresses located on a steep bank, surrounded by thick walls. It could contain up to 15 thousand garrison people. It was very difficult to storm it: at every step there were deep ramparts, ditches, an effective system of batteries, etc. It was believed that Corfu could only be taken by starvation.

By the time of the siege by Russian-Turkish troops, there were about 3 thousand soldiers and 650 guns in the fortress. The Allies did not have enough ground forces to take the fortress right away.

Here all the effectiveness of governance in the Ottoman Empire was demonstrated using the example of the Albanian principalities. The Albanian pashas were supposed to field 17 thousand infantry, but they did not intend to do this. Ali Pasha, who ruled in Tepelene (Southern Albania), especially showed his “devotion”. He actively negotiated with the French and waited only for suitable conditions to go over to the enemy's side. Pasha not only sabotaged the deployment of a 3,000-strong landing force, but also called on his neighbors to follow his example.

During the four-month siege, F. Ushakov constantly wrote dispatches to St. Petersburg about the actions of the Turkish side. They constantly echoed the idea: the participation of the Turks and Albanians will not only not improve the situation during the assault on Corfu, but, on the contrary, will significantly worsen it, since the local Greek population will not support the assault on the Albanians. Ushakov regretted that he did not have at least an extra thousand soldiers to independently capture the fortress.

Albanian Ali Pasha at this time became involved in political intrigues: he promised the Russian vice admiral to wait a little, and he completely advised the Turkish Sultan to refuse the help of the Russians and take the fortress on his own. For this purpose, Ali Pasha promised to send 25 thousand Albanians to Sultan. At the same time, negotiations were held with the French about switching to their side.

In December 1798, Ushakov informed the Russian emperor that the squadron had no provisions. If the situation does not change, the siege will have to be lifted from the fortress. Ushakov also reported that Turkish authorities are sabotaging cargo supplies to the Russian fleet, citing weather conditions. As a result, the team has not received a salary for a whole year and cannot buy clothes and shoes.

In January 1799, Ushakov wrote a dispatch to the High Vizier of the Porte that, due to poor supplies, Russian soldiers began to get sick and die. The reason is food supplied by the Turks, which medical personnel forbade people to consume.

By January 25, 1799, the allied squadron nevertheless received the promised Albanian landing force of 4 thousand people. However, their appearance on the islands displeased the Greeks. Ushakov made enormous efforts to ensure that the local population did not kill the Albanians on the islands before the start of the operation.

Storm

Before the assault on Corfu, Ushakov began preparing the landing force: soldiers and sailors trained to overcome the fortress walls and quickly built fortress stairs. Such training was reminiscent of Suvorov’s training of his soldiers before the capture of the Izmail fortress in 1790. Perhaps Ushakov decided to adopt the experience of training soldiers from another famous commander.

On February 18, 1799, the assault on the fortifications on Vido Island began. Mastering it made it possible to capture the entire fortress. After powerful shelling by battleships, a landing force of 2 thousand people began to land. Here the Albanians showed “loyalty” to their allied duty: they refused to participate in the assault. Only 200 Albanians took part in the initial assault. The rest took part only when the Allies took the fortification on Vido Island. Here Russian troops had to protect French prisoners from the fury of the Albanians.

After taking the Vido battery, the Allies deployed their guns and began shelling the main fortress, supported by battleships. Here again there were some oddities: Turkish ships began shelling the fortress behind the back of the Russian fleet. Some cannonballs did not reach and fell on our ships. Ushakov himself recalled that he almost died then from the “help” of the allies.

End of career

In July 1800, Ushakov returned to Russia. For his services, the King of the Two Sicilies granted the admiral the Order of St. Januarius, which was considered superior to the Order of Alexander Nevsky.

In 1807, the famous admiral was dismissed from service due to illness. Fedor Fedorovich died in 1817 in the Tambov province.

Family and Children

Many people are interested in the question: was Fyodor Ushakov married? The family of the famous naval commander is sailors and officers. This is what this great man told himself about himself.

Did Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov have heirs? The children loved to ask the admiral about his victories, and he also liked to talk with them. However, he did not have his own heirs. He devoted his entire life to serving his fatherland.

Monuments to the admiral

Monuments to Fyodor Ushakov were erected in Sevastopol: on July 29, 1983, at the entrance to the Historical Boulevard (opened during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Sevastopol), on the 250th anniversary of the admiral’s birth, on the initiative of the command of the Black Sea Fleet, a monument was erected near the headquarters building. There is also a monument in Saransk near the cathedral in honor of him. A little about him later in the article.

Cathedral

In 2004, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized the outstanding admiral. In 2006, in Saransk (the capital of Mordovia), the temple was rebuilt into a huge cathedral named after Fyodor Ushakov. Now it is the calling card of the city. The relics of Fyodor Ushakov are located here.

It was on the territory of modern Mordovia that the naval commander died. There is also a temple of Fyodor Ushakov in South Butovo in Moscow.

P. Bazhanov "Portrait of Admiral F.F. Ushakov"

Out of 43 naval battles, he did not lose a single one...

Under his command, not a single Russian ship was lost, not a single sailor was captured by the enemy.

Icon of F. Ushakov

In August 2001, Admiral Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov was canonized as a righteous saint and became the heavenly patron of military sailors.

Life path of F.F. Ushakova

P. Bazhanov “Portrait of Admiral F.F. Ushakov" (1912)

Beginning of the biography

Fyodor Ushakov was born on February 13 (24), 1745 in the village of Burnakovo (now the Rybinsk district of the Yaroslavl region). His father, Fyodor Ignatievich Ushakov, was a retired sergeant of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment. There was a special person in their family, whose spiritual path left a deep mark on the soul of the future commander - this was his uncle, later Elder Theodore of Sanaksar. He was a monk, abbot of the Sanaksar monastery, where F.F. was buried. Ushakov. Theodore of Sanaksar was glorified in 1999 among the locally revered saints of the Saransk diocese.

Russian-Turkish War 1768-1774

Pram with 48 guns

Pram- This is a flat-bottomed artillery sailing ship of the 18th century. Armament from 18 to 38 guns was used for operations in shallow water, off the coast and in rivers against fortresses and coastal fortifications.

In 1773, Ushakov commanded the 16-gun ship Modon, participating in repelling the Turks who landed in Balaklava.

But this Treaty, which was very unfavorable for Turkey, was the main reason for the new Russian-Turkish war.

I. Aivazovsky “Black Sea Fleet” (1890)

F. Ushakov's service in the navy continued. From 1775 he commanded a frigate, and in 1776-1779. participated in a campaign to the Mediterranean Sea with the aim of escorting frigates to the Black Sea. Performed other tasks as well. For two years (1780-1782) he commanded the battleship Victor, which participated in the implementation of the policy of “armed neutrality” as part of a squadron in the Mediterranean Sea. In subsequent years, Ushakov participated in the construction of a fleet base in Sevastopol, the vanguard of the Black Sea Fleet.

Monument to F.F. Ushakov in Kherson

During the construction of ships in Kherson, he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir IV degree (1785) for the successful fight against the plague epidemic in the city.

Russian-Turkish War 1787-1791

Battle of Fidonisi

The Turkish fleet consisted of 15 battleships (of which five were 80-gun), eight frigates, three bombardment ships and 21 small vessels.

The Turkish fleet lined up in two wake columns and began to descend onto the Russian line, attacking the Russian vanguard under the command of Brigadier F.F. Ushakov. Soon two Turkish battleships were forced to withdraw from the battle. "St. Pavel" under the command of Ushakov went to the aid of the frigates. Kapudan Pasha's ship found itself under fire from frigates on one side, and from Ushakov's ship on the other. All attempts by Turkish ships to correct the situation were immediately stopped by Russian frigates. A successful salvo from the frigate damaged the stern and mizzen mast of the flagship, and Hassan Pasha began to quickly leave the battlefield. The entire Turkish fleet followed him.

The success was very impressive. The Turkish fleet no longer had dominance over the sea, and Crimea was not in danger of landing. The Turkish fleet went to the Rumelian shores, and Voinovich’s squadron went to Sevastopol for repairs. Potemkin appreciated Ushakov's martial art, awarding him the Order of St. George, IV degree, promoting him to rear admiral and appointing him commander of the entire naval fleet in Sevastopol.

Kerch naval battle

Battle of Kerch

The Turks wavered and fled; only the ease of movement of the Turkish ships saved them from complete defeat.

Battle of Cape Tendra

This battle was unexpected: the Turkish fleet at anchor noticed the Russian fleet, sailing under full sail in marching formation under the command of Ushakov. The ratio of guns was in favor of the Turkish fleet - the Turks had 14 battleships, 8 frigates and 14 small ships, the Russians had 5 battleships, 11 frigates and 20 smaller ships. However, the Turkish fleet began to hastily retreat. But, approaching the enemy within range of a grape shot, F. F. Ushakov forced him to fight.

Battle of Kaliakria

Monument to F.F. Ushakova at Cape Kaliakra

The Black Sea Fleet, having approached the enemy at an extremely short distance, attacked the Turkish fleet. Ushakov's flagship, having become the leading one, entered into battle with four ships, preventing them from developing an attack. With this maneuver, Ushakov completely disrupted the battle formation of the advanced part of the Turks, and the Black Sea Fleet successfully developed the attack. At the same time, the Turkish ships were so cramped that they fired at each other. The Turkish ships began to leave.

On August 8, Ushakov received news from Field Marshal N.V. Repnin about the conclusion of a truce and an order to return to Sevastopol.

In 1793, F. Ushakov was promoted to vice admiral.

Mediterranean campaign of F. Ushakov

In 1798-1800 By order of Emperor Paul I, Ushakov was appointed commander of the Russian naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea to support the actions of the troops of the anti-French coalition.

During this campaign, Ushakov proved himself to be a major naval commander, a skilled politician and diplomat during the creation of the Greek Republic of the Seven Islands under the protectorate of Russia and Turkey. Under his command, the Russian fleet, in cooperation with the army, captured the Ionian Islands, the island of Corfu (Kerkyra), and participated in other operations. In 1799 he was promoted to admiral, and in 1800 Ushakov's squadron returned to Sevastopol.

As a result of Ushakov's actions in the Mediterranean, France lost its dominance in the Adriatic, lost the Ionian Islands, and Russia's acquisition of the Corfu naval base helped the allies in subsequent wars with France in 1805-1807.

last years of life

In 1807, Ushakov was dismissed with a uniform and a pension and after some time settled in the acquired village of Alekseevka, Temnikovsky district, Tambov province, not far from the Sanaksarsky monastery. During the Patriotic War of 1812, he was elected head of the Tambov province militia, but due to illness, he resigned from the position.

In honor of Admiral F. Ushakov

Ushakov Medal

State award of the USSR and the Russian Federation. Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of March 3, 1944 “On the establishment of military medals: Ushakov medals and Nakhimov medals.” By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1992 No. 2424-1, the medal was retained in the system of state awards of the Russian Federation. Re-established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1994 No. 442. The medal was designed by the architect M. A. Shepilevsky.

The Ushakov Medal was awarded to sailors and soldiers, foremen and sergeants, midshipmen and warrant officers of the Navy and naval units of the border troops for the courage and bravery shown in defending the socialist Fatherland in maritime theaters both in war and in peacetime.

Order of Ushakov

Order of Ushakov, 1st degree

Order of Ushakov, II degree

Soviet naval award from the Great Patriotic War. Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of March 3, 1944 on the establishment of military orders: the Order of Ushakov I and II degrees and the Order of Nakhimov I and II degrees, simultaneously with the Order of Nakhimov specifically for awarding officers of the Navy. The order was designed by the architect M. A. Shepilevsky. The Order of Ushakov is awarded to officers of the Navy for outstanding achievements in the development, conduct and support of naval active operations, resulting in victory over a numerically superior enemy in the battles for the Motherland.