January 10 - Day of Mechanical Engineer of the Russian Navy: history and traditions, how to congratulate
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- January 10 - Day of Mechanical Engineer of the Russian Navy: history and traditions, how to congratulate
In Russia, on January 10, mechanical engineers of the Navy, whose work is related to the maintenance of military ships and equipment, celebrate their professional holiday. In 2025, the celebration falls on Friday. "Izvestia" collected interesting facts about the profession and traditions of the holiday.
History of the Day of mechanical engineer of the Russian Navy, celebrated on January 10
The significant date is timed to the day of the formation of the Corps of Mechanical Engineers of the Naval Department. Such an institution in the Russian Empire appeared in 1855 during the reign of Nicholas I thanks to the initiative of the Chief of the Main Naval Staff Alexander Menshikov. Later on this day began to celebrate the Day of Fleet Engineer-Mechanic.
The celebration was established in 1996 by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. Before that, mechanics in the Navy did not have their own professional holiday.
The need for such specialists is overdue in connection with the transition to the steam fleet. Since the middle of the XIX century the first steam engines were installed on sailing ships. Their technical maintenance was performed by shipmasters and naval officers of junior ranks, later renamed into ship engineers.
Under Emperor Alexander III the corps was reorganized. Five official ranks were introduced for ship engineers: junior mechanical engineer, senior mechanical engineer, assistant to senior mechanical engineer, mechanical inspector and flag mechanical engineer. Later, during the fleet reforms, general naval ranks (ranks) were introduced for these specialists with the addition of "mechanical engineer" to them.
Most obviously their role in the fate of the ship and the entire crew was manifested during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, when much depended on the serviceability of machines and the work of the machine crew. At the same time, the service conditions of mechanical engineers always differed from those of other fleet officers due to long stay in stuffy, noisy rooms and constant contact with technical fluids.
During the Soviet era, ship engineers continued to serve in the USSR Navy. Today they are responsible for ensuring the technical and combat readiness of ships and vessels of the Russian Navy. For many decades the famous Dzerzhinsky Naval Engineering School in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) was the forge of personnel in our country. After reorganization, the institution is called the Naval Polytechnic Institute of the Navy VUNTS "Naval Academy".
Day of Mechanical Engineer of the Russian Navy - 2025: traditions
Every year, specialists are honored by the leadership and high command of the fleet, noting the courage, endurance and importance of the work of mechanical engineers. The best ones are given awards and letters of thanks. Special attention is paid to veterans of the profession and those who died in the line of duty.
The exploits of mechanical engineers are carefully preserved in the fleet, and the names of some of them are painted on the sides of warships. For example, the destroyers "Engineer-Mechanic Atanasov", "Engineer-Mechanic Dmitriev" or "Engineer-Mechanic Zverev" are known - in honor of the engineer-mechanic Vasily Zverev, who covered with his body the punctured steam pipeline of the ship.
Solemn events are held in many specialized educational institutions. Students and teachers participate in scientific forums where they discuss current issues of the profession and advanced technologies. Meetings are also held with the participation of invited sailors who talk about their work.
How to congratulate fleet mechanical engineers on January 10
The profession of a fleet mechanical engineer requires not only knowledge and experience, but also certain qualities. First of all such as persistence, patience, resourcefulness, determination. In addition, it is necessary to be physically and psychologically tough, because you have to work both on the base and in the open sea, sometimes in extreme conditions.
Based on the specifics of the work, on the holiday the celebrants are often wished health, reliable assistants, well-coordinated work and high results. "Izvestia" prepared several variants of congratulations.
"Congratulations on the Day of the mechanical engineer of the Russian Navy! The navy needs different people, but mechanics in the first place. After all, they are responsible for the work of the engine, the heart of the ship, and many other mechanisms. I wish that every screw and bolt was always in its place, and in life everything was spinning and turning without any failures".
"Dear mechanical engineers of the Navy! I congratulate you on your professional holiday! May your technical skill know no bounds, and your colleagues and management always appreciate your work! Thank you for your responsibility and dedication".
"I congratulate all Navy mechanical engineers on their professional holiday! You are outstanding laborers and geniuses capable of launching any vessel. Stay always healthy, full of strength and extraordinary solutions, because we cannot cope without you. Good luck to you and all blessings. Happy holiday!"
Earlier, Russia celebrated Marine Corps Day. "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of this holiday.
