- Статьи
- Society
- Navy Day: how 330 years ago one decree of Peter the Great changed the history of Russia
Navy Day: how 330 years ago one decree of Peter the Great changed the history of Russia
Navy Day is one of the main military holidays in Russia, dedicated to sailors, naval aviation, coastal troops, shipbuilders and all those involved in the protection of the country's maritime borders. In 2026, it will be celebrated on July 26. Izvestia tells how Peter the Great created the Russian navy, what victories brought him fame, and what traditions accompany the celebration of Navy Day today.
Navy Day – 2026: date of the holiday and its significance
The Day of the Russian Navy is a memorable professional holiday for all those who guard the country's maritime borders, and a symbol of naval power. It unites military sailors, marines, aviation and shipbuilders. The holiday is of great importance for the defense capability, being a tribute to the memory of historical victories and exploits.
The holiday is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of July. In 2026, it falls on July 26.
How Peter the Great created the Russian Navy
The history of the Russian Navy began thanks to an accidental discovery. In 1688, in one of the barns of the Izmailovsky Palace, sixteen-year-old Peter I came across an old English boat. This ship, once presented to his father Alexei Mikhailovich, instantly captured the prince. Dutch master Franz Timmerman taught Peter the first wisdom of navigation on the Yauza, but the future emperor very soon realized that a shallow river was not suitable for serious navigation.
"The creation of the fleet by Peter the Great took place in several stages. The first was the funny flotilla in 1688, followed by the construction of a regular fleet at Voronezh shipyards for the Azov campaigns in 1695-1696," Sergei Vladimirovich Patyanin, a military historian, candidate of historical sciences, author of books on the history of the fleet, told Izvestia.
The cradle of the Russian fleet was Pleshcheyevo Lake in Pereslavl-Zalessky. In the autumn of 1691, Peter the Great began large-scale construction of a shipyard and a funny palace on Gremyach Hill. By May 1692, an entire flotilla had been launched, consisting of dozens of ships, including yachts, longboats, and even the 30-gun frigate Mars. They were controlled by funny troops who fired cannons, celebrating this event.
The regular Russian fleet originated in Voronezh shipyards, where shipbuilding was launched for the Azov campaigns. In record time, from November 1695 to the spring of 1696, two large warships, 23 galleys, four fire ships and hundreds of small auxiliary vessels were built here. Subsequently, this flotilla successfully blocked Azov from the sea, ensuring victory for the Russian troops. Voronezh was not chosen by chance — Peter the Great personally chose the city because of the presence of a forest and access through the Voronezh and Don rivers to the Sea of Azov.
"Then there was an attempt to create a fleet through kumpanstvo (kumpanstvo are public—private partnerships created by decree of Peter the Great for the construction of ships of the Azov Fleet. — Ed.) in 1697-1698, which quickly showed its inconsistency. It was only with the beginning of the Northern War that the creation of the fleet was undertaken, in modern terms, comprehensively. Shipyards were established in Solombala (Arkhangelsk), on the rivers Syaz, Svir and Volkhov, and the Olonetsky shipyard. In 1704, the Admiralty in St. Petersburg was founded. Moreover, both rowing vessels for operations in coastal waters and ships for the open sea were built. At the same time, personnel for the fleet were being trained, so in 1701 a Navigation School was founded in Moscow," the historian shared.
The Northern War (1700-1721) showed the need for access to the Baltic Sea. Peter the Great gave orders to build new shipyards in the north of the country. In 1703-1704, he established new strategic bases in St. Petersburg and Kronstadt. Construction was successful — by the end of the war, the fleet numbered dozens of battleships and hundreds of galleys.
"Finally, the third stage is organizational. Regulatory documents on navigation, signal production, and naval warfare tactics are being developed. The result was the Maritime Charter adopted in 1720," the expert explained.
In a few decades, the Russian Empire has become a new great maritime power, which was confirmed by the fateful victory in the Northern War.
"Peter the Great's deeply thought—out, tireless efforts to create a fleet, train personnel, improve fleet technology and tactics, create a shipbuilding and ship repair base, as well as his personal bravery and generalship allowed Russia to win the Northern War and establish itself in the Baltic Sea," concluded Patyanin.
The main victories of the Russian navy in 330 years of history
"In the folk tradition, three white stripes on a blue sailor's collar (gyuss) symbolize the triumphant victories of the Russian navy: at Gangut (1714), Chesma (1770) and Sinope (1853)," said the military historian.
The Battle of Gangut was the first major victory for the Russian regular fleet. It took place in the Baltic Sea as part of the Northern War on July 27, 1714. As a result of the battle, all 10 Swedish ships were captured. The losses of the Russian fleet amounted to over 120 people killed and more than 340 wounded, the Swedish — over 360 and 350 people, respectively. The victory in this battle was made possible by the skilful use of the advantages of the rowing fleet over sailing in shallow and skerry coastal areas.
The Battle of Chesma took place on July 5-7, 1770 in the Aegean Sea during the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774. The Russian squadron under the command of Count Alexei Orlov completely defeated the superior forces of the Turkish fleet, blocking and destroying them in the Chesma Bay. Russian Russian Navy's first major victory in the Mediterranean waters was this battle, which significantly influenced the course of the Russo-Turkish War, as well as consolidated Russia's position in the international arena.
The Battle of Sinope took place on November 30, 1853, as part of the Crimean War. The Black Sea Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Pavel Nakhimov defeated the Turkish fleet in the Sinop Bay. It was a brilliant victory, which became the last major battle in the history of sailing fleets. The battle lasted about four hours, as a result, 15 of the 16 enemy ships were destroyed. The Russian squadron did not lose a single vessel.
Legendary Admirals and heroes of the Navy
"If you go outside and ask a dozen random passers-by, they will probably name Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov and Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov. Maybe someone else will remember Stepan Osipovich Makarov (1848-1904) and Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov (1904-1974). They are probably the most famous — it's not for nothing that the orders and medals of Ushakov and Nakhimov appeared under Comrade Stalin," said Patyanin.
At the same time, the expert singled out two more admirals, Mikhail Lazarev (1788-1851) and Sergei Gorshkov (1910-1988), according to their historical significance and the size of their contribution to the development of the Russian navy.
Admiral Fyodor Ushakov did not suffer a single defeat in naval battles. He became famous for his victories over the Ottoman Empire during the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791 and the successful Mediterranean campaign. Ushakov abandoned the formulaic linear tactics, relying on maneuverability and decisive attacks. In 2001, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized him for outstanding services to the country.
Pavel Nakhimov is a Russian admiral who became one of the symbols of the Crimean War. It was he who led the Battle of Sinope. During the defense of Sevastopol, Nakhimov coordinated the defense of the city and was personally on the front line.
Stepan Makarov is a Russian admiral, scientist and oceanographer who has made a significant contribution to the development of naval science. He was engaged in Arctic research, advocated the modernization of the fleet and the development of icebreaking shipping. During the Russian-Japanese War, Makarov commanded the Pacific Squadron.
Nikolai Kuznetsov was a Soviet naval commander, admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union and People's Commissar of the Navy. On the eve of the Great Patriotic War, he brought the fleet to a state of full combat readiness, which made it possible to avoid sudden losses in the early days of hostilities. Under his leadership, the Soviet Navy provided defense of the sea borders and support for the ground forces. After the war, Kuznetsov was actively involved in the development of the modern navy and naval education.
Mikhail Lazarev is a Russian navigator and admiral, one of the discoverers of Antarctica. In 1820, together with Thaddeus Bellingshausen, he participated in the first Russian Antarctic expedition, which confirmed the existence of the sixth continent. Lazarev later commanded the Black Sea Fleet, paying great attention to officer training and ship modernization. Among his students were the future outstanding naval commanders Pavel Nakhimov, Vladimir Kornilov and Vladimir Istomin.
Sergey Gorshkov headed the USSR Navy for more than 30 years. He actively developed the nuclear submarine fleet, missile ships and naval aviation. Gorshkov is considered the creator of the modern ocean-going Navy of the Soviet Union.
Traditions of celebrating Navy Day in Russia
On this day, it is customary to congratulate everyone who serves or has served in the Navy: representatives of naval aviation, coastal troops, shipbuilders and Navy veterans. Also, in many Russian cities, solemn wreath-laying takes place at memorials and monuments associated with the Navy.
Major ports traditionally arrange a large festive parade of ships. Usually, the main naval parade of the country is hosted by St. Petersburg: modern naval equipment passes through the Neva River, a concert is held on Palace Square, and fireworks are launched at the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Themed concerts are held on squares and embankments, often with the participation of military orchestras, as well as exhibitions and excursions dedicated to the Navy. The participants of the holiday wear vests and sailors. On this day, many times you can see the St. Andrew's Flag, the main symbol of the Russian Navy, which was approved by Peter the Great in 1699.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
