Russian naval commander and navigator, admiral (1843), holder of the Order of St. George IV class for long service (1817) and discoverer of Antarctica. Brother of Vice Admiral Andrei Petrovich Lazarev.
Born into the noble family of Senator Pyotr Gavrilovich Lazarev, ruler of the Vladimir governorship. Shortly before his death, in 1800, the senator assigned three sons - Andrei, Mikhail, Alexei - to the Naval Cadet Corps.
In 1803, he passed the exam for the title of midshipman, becoming the third best performer out of 32 students.
In December 1805 he was promoted to the first officer rank - midshipman.
Among the 30 best graduates of the corps, he was sent to England, where he served as a volunteer in the navy until 1808 to familiarize himself with the organization of naval affairs in foreign ports. For five years he was on a continuous voyage in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1808-1813 he served in the Baltic Fleet.
Participated in the Russian-Swedish War of 1808-1809 and the Patriotic War of 1812.
World trip
In 1813, Lieutenant Lazarev received a new assignment - to command the Suvorov sloop, setting off on a circumnavigation around the globe.
The ship "Suvorov", to which Lazarev was assigned, belonged to the Russian-American company, created by Russian industrialists at the end of the 18th century. The company's goal was to improve the use of the natural resources of Russian America. The company was extremely interested in regular sea communication between St. Petersburg and Russian America and spared no expense in equipping round-the-world expeditions.
At the beginning of October 1813, preparations for the trip were completed, and at dawn on October 9, the Suvorov departed from the Kronstadt roadstead.
At the beginning of the journey they were met by strong winds and thick fogs, from which the Suvorov had to take refuge in the Swedish harbor of Karlskrona. Having passed the Sound, Kattegat and Skagerrak straits (between Denmark and the Scandinavian Peninsula) and safely avoided the attack of the French and allied Danish warships, Lazarev safely brought the Suvorov to the English Channel.
In Portsmouth the ship made a stop that lasted for three whole months. On February 27, 1814, the Suvorov departed from the Portsmouth roadstead and headed south. Two weeks later, Lazarev’s ship was already approaching the island of Madeira, a Portuguese colony off the coast of Africa. On April 2, the Suvorov crossed the equator, and on the evening of April 21, it entered the Bay of Rio de Janeiro. On May 24, Suvorov left Rio de Janeiro and entered the Atlantic Ocean.
On August 14, the Suvorov entered Port Jackson, which belonged to the British. When approaching the harbor, the Suvorov was greeted by the thunder of an artillery salute, with which the governor of the island greeted the Russian sailors on the occasion of the final victory over Napoleon.
"Suvorov" sailed across the Pacific Ocean, again approaching the equator. On September 28, the outlines of land appeared ahead. However, on the map available to Lazarev, there were no signs of land, and only when approaching a closer distance and examining these places, Lazarev realized that in front of him was a group of coral islands rising above the surface of the ocean and connected by coral bridges. These islands were covered with bushes and trees. Lazarev gave the newly discovered islands the name of Suvorov.
Having completed the survey of the islands, "Suvorov" again continued its journey to the north. On October 10, the equator was crossed.
In November, Lazarev's ship approached the center of Russian America - the port and settlement of Novo-Arkhangelsk. Here Lazarev was met by the manager of the Russian-American company A. A. Baranov, who expressed gratitude to him for the safety of the cargo entrusted to him.
For the winter, "Suvorov" remained in Novo-Arkhangelsk. After the end of the winter, “Suvorov” was loaded with food and goods, and by order of A. A. Baranov, Lazarev headed for one of the islands of the Aleutian group (Unalaska) and the Pribilof Islands located next to it. Having unloaded the cargo entrusted to him, he took on board furs prepared by local industrialists. Lazarev's ship was on the road for just over a month. The cargo taken on board in Unalaska was to be delivered to Kronstadt, having previously returned to Novo-Arkhangelsk.
At the end of July, "Suvorov" left Novo-Arkhangelsk. Now his path to Kronstadt lay along the coasts of North and South America, bypassing Cape Horn. Lazarev still had to make a stop in the Peruvian port of Callao to resolve a number of issues related to the affairs of the Russian-American company.
After calling at the port of San Francisco, the Suvorov moved to the shores of Peru. During the three-month stay in the port of Callao, Lazarev and his officers became acquainted with the life of the city and port.
Having passed through the Drake Passage in stormy weather and past the dangerous Cape Horn, Lazarev ordered to turn northeast into the Atlantic Ocean. He did not stop in Rio de Janeiro, but made only a short stop at the island of Fernando de Noronha. Here the damage caused by the storm was repaired on the Suvorov, and the ship sailed to the shores of England. On June 8 he was already in Portsmouth, and five weeks later he returned to Kronstadt.
Journey to the South Pole
In March 1819, Lazarev was assigned to command the Mirny sloop, which was to sail to the South Pole. Lazarev took over direct supervision of all preparatory work. He was preparing not only his sloop, but also the second one, which was also to take part in the voyage to the shores of the Antarctic. The sloops were insulated, the hull fastenings were strengthened, double skinning was installed and the old sails were replaced with new ones. Lazarev also personally took charge of selecting team members to participate in the expedition.
On June 4, Captain 2nd Rank F.F. Bellingshausen arrived and was entrusted with both the command of the second sloop “Vostok” and the leadership of the entire expedition.
A month after his arrival, Vostok and Mirny left the Kronstadt roadstead and moved towards the South Pole.
Lazarev’s energetic actions to prepare the sloops for a long voyage bore fruit. "Mirny", built according to the design of Russian engineers and, moreover, sufficiently fortified by Lazarev, showed its brilliant qualities. However, the Vostok, built by British engineers, despite all Lazarev’s efforts to make it as durable as the Mirny, was still qualitatively inferior to the second sloop. This was one of the reasons that we had to stop exploring the South Pole and begin preparations for returning to Kronstadt.
For participation in the Antarctic expedition, Lazarev was promoted to captain of the 2nd rank, bypassing the rank of captain-lieutenant.
Command of the frigate "Cruiser"
While Lazarev was on a polar expedition, the situation in the region of Russian America worsened. The actions of English and American smugglers took on an ever wider scope. Novo-Arkhangelsk was covered by the Apollo ship, the only military ship of the Russian-American Company, but it could not ensure the security of all Russian territorial waters in this area. Therefore, it was decided to send the 36-gun frigate “Cruiser” and the sloop “Ladoga” to the shores of Russian America. Command of the frigate was entrusted to Lazarev, and command of the Ladoga to his younger brother Andrei.
On August 17, 1822, ships under the command of Lazarev left the Kronstadt roadstead. The expedition began in severe storms, forcing Lazarev to make a stop in Portsmouth. Only in November did they manage to leave the harbor and head for the Canary Islands, and from there to the shores of Brazil.
The voyage to Rio de Janeiro took place in extremely favorable conditions, but after sailing from the capital of Brazil, the elements raged again. A hurricane arose in the sea, and storms began, accompanied by snow. Only in mid-May did the Cruiser manage to approach Tasmania. Then Lazarev's frigate headed for Tahiti.
In Tahiti, the "Cruiser" met with the "Ladoga", with which it separated during storms and now, in accordance with the instructions received earlier, each ship with the cargo entrusted to it sailed on its own course. "Ladoga" - to the Kamchatka Peninsula, "Cruiser" went to the shores of Russian America.
The Cruiser spent about a year off the coast of northwestern America, protecting Russian territorial waters from smugglers. In the summer of 1824, the “Cruiser” was replaced by the sloop “Enterprise”, which arrived in Novo-Arkhangelsk under the command of Lieutenant Commander O. E. Kotzebue. On October 16, the “Cruiser” left Novo-Arkhangelsk.
As soon as the “Cruiser” entered the open sea, the hurricane broke out again. However, Lazarev’s ship did not take refuge in San Francisco harbor, but withstood the storm on the open sea. On August 5, 1825, the “Cruiser” approached the Kronstadt roadstead.
For exemplary performance of the task, Lazarev was promoted to captain of the 1st rank. But the captain of the “Cruiser” insisted that not only he and his officers receive awards, but also all the sailors of his ship, participants in the most difficult voyage.
Service in the Black Sea Fleet
The following year, Lazarev was appointed commander of the 12th naval crew. He was entrusted with personal supervision of the construction of the warship Azov in Arkhangelsk. After construction was completed, Lazarev was appointed commander of the Azov, and after a detachment of ships moved from Arkhangelsk to Kronstadt, a new assignment awaited him. Lazarev was transferred to the Black Sea and then to the Mediterranean Sea. Here in 1827, commanding the Azov, M.P. Lazarev took part in the Battle of Navarino. Fighting with five Turkish ships, he destroyed them: he sank two large frigates and one corvette, burned the flagship under the flag of Tagir Pasha, forced an 80-gun battleship to run aground, after which he lit and blew it up. In addition, the Azov, under the command of Lazarev, destroyed the flagship of Muharrem Bey. For his participation in the Battle of Navarino, Lazarev was promoted to rear admiral and awarded three orders at once (Greek - "Commander's Cross of the Savior", English - Baths and French - St. Louis, and his ship "Azov" received the St. George flag.
In 1828-1829 he led the blockade of the Dardanelles; in 1830 he returned to Kronstadt and commanded a detachment of ships of the Baltic Fleet.
In 1832, Lazarev became chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet. In February - June 1833, commanding a squadron, he led an expedition of the Russian fleet to the Bosporus Strait, as a result of which the Unkyar-Iskelesi Treaty of 1833 was concluded. From 1833 - chief commander of the Black Sea Fleet and the Black Sea ports, and in the summer of 1834 - commander of the Black Sea Fleet and commander ports of Sevastopol and Nikolaev. That same year he was promoted to vice admiral.
Commanding the Black Sea Fleet, Lazarev became its true transformer. He introduced a completely new system of training sailors directly at sea in an environment as close as possible to combat.
The warships of the Black Sea Fleet were fully equipped and equipped with higher quality artillery. Under Lazarev, the Black Sea Fleet received more than 40 sailing ships. Lazarev also ordered 6 steam-frigates and 28 steamships for his fleet. The first iron steamship was built on the Black Sea and training began for service on steam ships.
However, Lazarev did not limit himself only to the technical re-equipment of the Black Sea Fleet. In Sevastopol, the Maritime Library was reorganized, a Meeting House was built, and a school for sailor children was opened. Under Lazarev, admiralty buildings were built in Nikolaev, Odessa, Novorossiysk, and construction of the admiralty began in Sevastopol.
Using his experience gained on long voyages, Lazarev established the work of a hydrographic depot, which begins to publish maps and atlases of the Black Sea. Lazarev’s services to Russian science were also appreciated by the Russian Geographical Society, electing him as an honorary member. He was also elected an honorary member of the Marine Scientific Committee, Kazan University and other scientific institutions.
Lazarev’s special merit is in training people who glorified the Russian fleet and Russia during the Crimean (Eastern) War of 1853-1856.
Shortly before his death, on his last visit to St. Petersburg, the admiral was at a reception with Nicholas I. After the warm welcome, wanting to show the admiral his attention and respect, the sovereign said: “Old man, stay with me for dinner.” “I can’t, sir,” answered Mikhail Petrovich, “I gave my word to dine with Admiral G.” Having said this, Lazarev took out his chronometer, looked at it and, standing up impulsively, said: “I’m late, sir!” Then he kissed the puzzled emperor and quickly left the office...
In Vienna, Admiral Lazarev's illness worsened sharply. There was no hope left to save his life. Those around the admiral begged him to write a letter to the sovereign and entrust his family to him. “I have never asked anyone for anything in my life,” answered the dying Lazarev, “and now I will not ask before my death.”
He was buried in the crypt of the Vladimir Cathedral in Sevastopol (at that moment the construction of which had just begun). His students and followers, admirals Nakhimov, Kornilov, Istomin, are also buried there.
Memory
USSR stamp, 1987
Admiral Lazarev was influential as a technical specialist and mentor to young officers. He advocated equipping the Russian fleet with steam-powered ships, but the technical and economic backwardness of Russia at that time was the main obstacle to this path. He also acted as a mentor to such famous Russian naval commanders as Nakhimov, Kornilov, Istomin and Butakov.
In 1867, a monument to Mikhail Lazarev was erected in Sevastopol,
At the Lazarevskaya railway station (Lazarevsky district of Sochi) a bust of Admiral Lazarev was erected.
In St. Petersburg, the first Russian battleship Admiral Lazarev was launched at the Baltic Shipyard in 1871.
In 1994, the Bank of Russia issued a series of commemorative coins “The First Russian Antarctic Expedition”.
Russian naval commander, navigator and explorer, admiral. In 1834 - 1851 he commanded the Black Sea Fleet and took part in the Caucasian War.
Family and beginning of a military career
Born on November 3, 1788 in Vladimir. Father, Pyotr Gavrilovich Lazarev, senator, privy councilor. By imperial decree of January 25, 1800, the future naval commander and his brothers Alexei and Andrey were accepted into the Naval Cadet Corps.
In 1803 he was sent to the English fleet, where for 5 years he was on a continuous voyage in the Atlantic and Indian oceans, the North and Mediterranean seas.
In 1808 - 1813 he served in the Baltic Fleet, participated in the Russian-Swedish War of 1808 - 1809 and the Patriotic War of 1812.
Traveling around the world
In 1813 - 1816, on the ship "Suvorov" owned by the Russian-American Company, he made his first circumnavigation from Kronstadt to the shores of Alaska and back through Peru and Cape Horn, discovering Suvorov Atoll.
In 1819 - 1821 M.P. Lazarev took part in the round-the-world expedition under the command of F. F. Bellingshausen, commanded the sloop Mirny and was an assistant to the head of the expedition. During the Bellingshausen-Lazarev expedition, Antarctica and a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean were discovered.
Since 1822 M.P. Lazarev commanded the frigate "Cruiser", on which he carried out his third circumnavigation of the world (1822-25), conducting extensive scientific research in meteorology, ethnography, etc.
Since 1826, captain 1st rank M.P. Lazarev was appointed commander of the 74-gun battleship Azov.
In 1827, M.P. Lazarev was appointed chief of staff of the squadron of Rear Admiral L.P. Heyden, sent to the Mediterranean to jointly with the French and English squadrons provide assistance to Greece, which had rebelled against the Turkish yoke.
On October 8, 1827, the allied fleet under the overall command of the English admiral E. Codrington attacked and destroyed the Turkish-Egyptian fleet in the Bay of Navarino. For distinction in the Battle of Navarino M.P. Lazarev was promoted to rear admiral.
During the Russian-Turkish War of 1828 - 1829. Lazarev was the chief of staff of the Russian squadron that carried out the blockade of the Dardanelles. After the conclusion of the Peace of Adrianople M.P. Lazarev, commanding a squadron of ten ships, returned to Kronstadt.
Command of the Black Sea Fleet
In 1830 - 1831 M.P. Lazarev took part in the work of the Committee for updating the armament of military ships and developing regulations on the management of the Black Sea Fleet.
Since 1832 M.P. Lazarev - Chief of Staff of the Black Sea Fleet.
In February - June 1833 M.P. Lazarev, commanding a squadron, led the Expedition of the Russian fleet to the Bosphorus in 1833, as a result of which the Unkyar-Iskelesi Treaty was concluded.
Since 1833 M.P. Lazarev became the chief commander of the Black Sea Fleet and the Black Sea ports, as well as the military governor of Sevastopol and Nikolaev. Under Lazarev, 16 battleships and over 150 other ships and vessels were built at the Black Sea shipyards, ships with iron hulls were launched for the first time, and steam frigates were put into operation. In Sevastopol, under Lazarev, the Admiralty was established, a dock and workshops, the Aleksandrovskaya, Konstantinovskaya, Mikhailovskaya and Pavlovskaya batteries were built.
Under the leadership of M.P. Lazarev's Black Sea Fleet took part in the Caucasian War.
In 1838 - 1840 M.P. Lazarev, at the head of the squadrons of the Black Sea Fleet, organized and carried out landings on the shores of the Caucasus at Tuapse, Psezuap, Subashi, Shapsukho. M.P. Lazarev paid great attention to theoretical preparation and planning of landing operations, providing fire support. A close connection was established between the fleet and the command of the ground forces.
The landed troops created the Black Sea coastline, which, with the support of ships cruising at sea, blocked the delivery of weapons and many vital materials to the Circassians, which had a serious impact on the course of military operations in the North-West Caucasus. One of the line’s fortifications was named Lazarevsky (now the Lazarevskoye microdistrict of the city of Sochi).
At the same time, a number of modern Circassian activists - for example, Asfar Kuek or Majid Chachukh - have repeatedly expressed their opinion against M.P. Lazarev accusations of indiscriminate use of force during the landings, including against the Circassian civilian population.
"Admiral Lazarev... is a hero, he did a lot for Russia, but the fact is that in 1838 he killed Shapsugs - children, women - here", said Asfar Kuek.
M.P. died Lazarev on April 11, 1851 from stomach cancer. He is buried in the Vladimir Cathedral in Sevastopol.
Modern assessments of the activities of M.P. Lazareva
From the point of view of traditional Russian historiography, M.P. Lazarev is one of the most honored sailors of the Russian fleet, admiral, traveler, discoverer. He made a great contribution to the development of maritime affairs; he personally or with his participation discovered Antarctica and many islands in the Pacific Ocean.
However, the role of M.P. Lazarev in the Caucasian War is not interpreted so clearly.
In 2003, the Circassian public expressed a sharp protest against the restoration of the monument to M.P. Lazarev in the village of Lazarevskoye.
The resolution of the executive committee of the International Circassian Association stated: “Consider the decision of the local government of Sochi to erect a monument to Admiral M.P. Lazarev, a direct participant in military actions against the indigenous population, which led to the mass death of civilians and the national tragedy of the Circassians, in the ethnic homeland of the Circassians, as inconsistent with universal moral principles and norms.”.
Sources:
- Orlov A.S., Georgieva N.G., Georgiev V.A. Historical Dictionary. 2nd ed. M., 2012.
- Shikman A.P. Figures of Russian history. Biographical reference book. Moscow, 1997
- Mikhail Lazarev. Biography - Website Peoples.ru.
- Kovalevsky N.F. History of the Russian State. Biographies of famous military figures of the 18th - early 20th centuries. M. 1997
- Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev. - Website "CHRONOS - world history on the Internet."
- Caucasian Chronicles. Shapsugi. - Radio Liberty, 03/9/2004
- Svetlana Turyalai. War monument. - "Izvestia", August 1, 2003
LAZAREV, MIKHAIL PETROVICH(1788–1851) - Russian admiral, traveler, participant in three circumnavigations, governor of Sevastopol and Nikolaev.
Born on November 3, 1788 in Vladimir in the family of the governor, senator, and Privy Councilor P.G. Lazarev. Having been orphaned early, in 1800 he was assigned to the Naval Cadet Corps, which he graduated with a flattering assessment: “Noble behavior, knowledgeable in his position; sends it with tireless diligence and efficiency.” After the 1803 exams, he served on a cruiser with the rank of midshipman; I rode it around the Baltic. Having gone to England as a volunteer, he studied maritime affairs there for five years - he sailed in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the North and Mediterranean Seas. There he was engaged in self-education, studying history and ethnography.
In 1808 he was promoted to midshipman and sent to the Russian-Swedish war. There, for his courage, he was promoted to naval lieutenant in 1811. In 1812 he served on the brig Phoenix. For valor in the Patriotic War he received a silver medal.
In 1813, on the ship "Suvorov", he made the first circumnavigation of the world: he delivered cargo to the Far East, simultaneously discovering uninhabited islands in the Pacific Ocean (and giving them the name Suvorov). Having purchased a shipment of quinine in Peru and taking on board animals outlandish for Russia, he returned to Kronstadt in 1816. During this voyage, Lazarev clarified the coordinates and made sketches of sections of the coasts of Australia, Brazil, and North America.
In 1819, Lazarev, together with F.F. Bellingshausen, was assigned “to search for the sixth continent.” Appointed commander of the sloop Mirny, in the next three years he completed his second circumnavigation of the world, during which on January 16, 1820 he (together with Bellingshausen) discovered a sixth of the world - Antarctica - and a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean. For this expedition, M.P. Lazarev was immediately promoted to captain of the 2nd rank, granted a pension with the rank of lieutenant and appointed commander of the frigate "Cruiser".
On the “Cruiser” M.P. Lazarev made his third trip around the world in 1822–1825 - to the shores of Russian possessions in North America. During it, extensive scientific research was carried out in meteorology and ethnography. Lazarev's successes in military affairs and research work were awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree, and the rank of captain, 1st rank.
In 1826, as commander of the ship "Azov", the naval commander made the transition to the Mediterranean Sea, where he participated in the 1827 naval battle of Navarino. In that battle, Azov led the Russian battleships, which took the main blow of the Turkish-Egyptian fleet, which was completely defeated by the joint efforts of the Russian, French and English squadrons. For this victory, the navigator received the rank of rear admiral, and the Azov team he led was awarded the St. George flag for the first time in the history of the Russian fleet.
In 1828–1829, Lazarev, as chief of staff of the Russian squadron in the Mediterranean, took part in the blockade of the Dardanelles.
In 1832 he was appointed chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet and ports. In April 1833 he was promoted to vice admiral, received the rank of adjutant general and appointment as military governor of Sevastopol and Nikolaev. Under his leadership, the construction of new and reconstruction of old port cities began (reconstruction in the center of Sevastopol of the “Ridge of Lawlessness” - mud hut houses of the urban poor randomly built on the central city hill, the foundation of the Count's pier, the Historical Boulevard). On the initiative of the governor, a Maritime Library was created in Sevastopol; he personally supervised the acquisition of its collections.
During the 18 years of his governorship on the Black Sea, with his participation, more than 30 battleships and steamships were built, and over 150 large and small military vessels were put into operation.
Having taken the initiative of constant military observations, security, reconnaissance, and individual combat operations with the help of ships of the Black Sea Fleet cruising along the Caucasian coast, Lazarev volunteered to personally lead the squadron with the landing forces of General N.N. Raevsky. Having landed on the coast of the Caucasus in 1838, the landing force occupied several coastal points and erected fortifications near the Tuapse, Psezuap, Subashi, and Shapsukho rivers. Fortification at the river Psezuape was called Lazarev's fort. Thus, in 1838–1840, the Caucasian coast was strengthened, conditions were created for the uninterrupted cruising of fleet ships and the protection of the southern borders of Russia.
A tireless worker, persistent in achieving his goal, selflessly devoted to maritime affairs, Lazarev cultivated the same qualities in his subordinates. He paid special attention to the development of a healthy spirit of competition among personnel in work, exercises and especially in the management of ships. Believing that the best school for educating young officers is command, Lazarev spared no expense in increasing the number of small ships. They were widely used by him for cruising and blockade service off the Caucasian coast. In the harsh environment of this service, a whole galaxy of students grew up, brilliant officers and admirals, brought up in the glorious traditions of Russian naval affairs, laid down in the 18th century. F.F.Ushakov - P.S.Nakhimov, V.A.Kornilov, V.I.Istomin, G.I.Butakov. During the years of naval and civil service, Lazarev was repeatedly awarded orders of the Russian Empire, and had the highest degree of distinction - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, as well as orders of other states.
Closely monitoring the development of the fleets of the main maritime powers, especially England, the admiral took care of increasing the tonnage and artillery armament of battleships, insisted on rearmament of the fleet, anticipating the inevitable transition to a steam engine. Lazarev personally took Nicholas I with a project for the construction of a new admiralty in Nikolaev with five dry docks, and was in personal correspondence with the emperor. “Despite your fatigue, you continue to work tirelessly on business...” Nicholas I wrote to him in a letter accompanying the royal gift of 2,000 silver rubles. – You do not spare yourself. No matter how you aggravate your illness...”
The emperor was referring to the admiral’s incurable disease at that time – stomach cancer. In 1851, with his wife, daughter and physician, he went to Europe for consultations with doctors and died on April 11 in Vienna. He was buried in Sevastopol with great honors. On the day of the funeral, 7,000 silver rubles were collected for the monument (built in 1867 according to the design of the sculptor N.S. Pimenov, it was placed on one of the squares of Sevastopol, and has not survived to this day). Rebuilt and opened after the death of the admiral, the Admiralty in Nikolaev received the name of Lazarevsky. Nearby were built stone three-story barracks for naval ranks for 6,000 people (also Lazarevsky). They have survived to this day, like the Crimean village of the same name.
The name Lazarev was assigned to Russian ships: an armored frigate, a cruiser, an icebreaker. In Sevastopol, one of the streets on the Korabelnaya Side bore the name of the naval commander until July 1993, when a square in the city center was named after him.
Lev Pushkarev, Natalya Pushkareva
Name: Mikhail Lazarev
Age: 62 years old
Activity: navigator, admiral, discoverer of Antarctica
Marital status: was married
Mikhail Lazarev: biography
Mikhail Lazarev is a famous Russian navigator, one of the 2 discoverers of Antarctica, a scientist and commander of the Black Sea Fleet.
Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev was born on November 3 (old style) 1788 in Vladimir into a noble family. The father of the future admiral, Pyotr Gavrilovich, died when Mikhail was a teenager. However, before this, the man managed to send the future navigator and his 2 brothers to study at the Naval Cadet Corps. According to other sources, the boys were assigned to study after the death of their father with the help of Adjutant General Christopher Lieven.
In his studies, Mikhail, who had a sharp mind, showed diligence and eventually turned out to be one of the 30 best graduates. After completing his studies, he received the status of a midshipman, the young man was sent to England to get acquainted with the structure of the British fleet. Mikhail served there until 1808, spending all this time on ships, far from land. During this period, the navigator was engaged in self-education, devoting a lot of time to the study of history and ethnography.
Fleet and expeditions
After returning home, Lazarev was promoted to midshipman, and until 1813 the man served in the Baltic Fleet. In this capacity, Mikhail participated in the Russian-Swedish War and the war against.
The year 1813 marked a new stage in Mikhail’s biography: the man was appointed commander of the Suvorov, a frigate departing on a trip around the world. Financing was provided by the Russian-American Company, which wanted to improve water communication between St. Petersburg and Russian America. On October 9, 1813, the expedition was finally prepared, and the ship left the port of Kronstadt.
The journey lasted 2 years. At first, due to difficult weather conditions, the ship was forced to remain in the Swedish harbor, but then managed to reach the English Channel. This was also a success because many warships of France and Denmark were cruising in the waters traversed, which could attack the Russian ship.
In British Portsmouth, Lazarev had to stay for 3 months, so the ship crossed the equator only in April, and entered the Atlantic Ocean in the late spring of 1814. In August, approaching Australia, the crew heard the roar of cannonade - the governor of the colony of New South Wales thus testified to the Russians his joy at the defeat of Napoleonic troops.
At the beginning of autumn, following a route along the Pacific Ocean, a traveler unexpectedly noticed the outlines of land, which, judging by the map, should not have been there. It turned out that Mikhail Petrovich discovered a new atoll, which was eventually named, like the ship, in honor. By November, the expedition reached the shores of North America and landed in Novo-Arkhangelsk (today the city is called Sitka), where the sailors received gratitude for saving their cargo. After wintering in the city, the Suvorov again went to sea and by the summer of 1815 returned to Russia.
After 4 years, Mikhail Petrovich was appointed commander of the Mirny sloop, one of two ships planning to reach Antarctica. Since the search for the commander of the second ship, the Vostok, dragged on, Lazarev had to manage all the preparations for the trip on his own. Ultimately, in June 1819, the Vostok took charge, and a month later the ships left the port and set sail, which resulted in not only the discovery of Antarctica, but also proof of its reach for seafarers.
After 3 years of a difficult sea voyage, the crew of both ships returned to Kronstadt. The result of the expedition was the refutation of Jean La Perouse's statement about the impassability of the ice in the Antarctic Circle. In addition, Lazarev and Bellingshausen collected significant biological, geographical and ethnographic materials, and also discovered 29 islands.
Following the results of the expedition, Mikhail Lazarev was promoted to the rank of captain of the second rank. Interesting fact: this should have been preceded by the rank of captain-lieutenant, but the merits of the navigator were recognized as worthy of neglecting the rules.
While the navigator was traveling through the waters of Antarctica, the situation in Russian America was complicated due to the increased activity of smugglers. The only military vessel could not ensure the safety of territorial waters. The authorities decided to send the frigate "Cruiser", equipped with 36 cannons, as well as the sloop "Ladoga" to help. Mikhail, assigned to the Cruiser, was reunited with his brother Andrei on this voyage - he was entrusted with managing the Ladoga.
The ships left on August 17, 1822; at first they experienced difficulties due to strong storms. It was possible to leave Portsmouth, which had sheltered Russian ships, only in mid-autumn. The following storms awaited the Cruiser after reaching Rio de Janeiro. Lazarev met “Ladoga”, from which they parted ways due to storms, only near Tahiti.
The ships remained off the coast of North America until 1824, and then went home. And again, immediately after entering the open sea, a storm hit the ships. But Lazarev decided not to wait out the bad weather in San Francisco and, having successfully overcome the storm, arrived in Kronstadt in August 1825.
Mikhail Lazarev, Pavel Nakhimov and Efim Putyatin during a circumnavigation of the world on the frigate "Cruiser" For carrying out the order, Mikhail Petrovich was promoted to captain of the 1st rank. However, the navigator was not content with this: Lazarev demanded awards for the entire crew of the Cruiser, including the sailors. On February 27, 1826, the man was sent to command the 12th naval crew, as well as the Azov ship, which was being built in Arkhangelsk. When the ship left the shipyard, under the leadership of Mikhail Petrovich, Azov, as well as Ezekiel and Smirny, arrived in Kronstadt.
On October 8, 1827, the Azov, heading for the Mediterranean Sea, took part in the Battle of Navarino - the largest naval battle between the troops of Russia, England and France against the Turkish-Egyptian fleet. "Azov" under the command of Lazarev successfully destroyed 5 Turkish ships, as well as the flagship of Muharrem Bey. Mikhail Petrovich was awarded the title of rear admiral and 3 orders - Greek, French and English, and the ship received the St. George flag.
In the period from 1828 to 1829, Lazarev managed the blockade of the Dardanelles, then returned to command in the Baltic Fleet, and in 1832 the man was appointed chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet. Mikhail Petrovich did a lot for him - in particular, he became the founder of a new system for training sailors. Now the sailors were trained at sea, making the situation as similar as possible to combat.
Lazarev’s contribution also included supplying the fleet with artillery and ships of a higher level, and beginning to equip it with steamships. It was then that the first iron steamship for the Russian fleet was built, and cadets began to be taught how to sail on such ships.
In addition to caring about improving the quality of ships and the level of crew service, Mikhail Petrovich reorganized the life of sailors and their families on the shore: he opened a school for the children of sailors, improved the Maritime Library of Sevastopol, and made every effort to improve the work of the hydrographic bureau. In 1843, Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev was promoted to the rank of admiral.
Personal life
In 1835, the navigator decided to put things in order in his personal life and enter into legal marriage.
His wife was Ekaterina Fan der Fleet, the daughter of the governor of Arkhangelsk, the girl was 24 years younger than her husband. The marriage produced 6 children, two of whom, Peter and Alexandra, died in childhood.
Death
At the end of his life, Mikhail Petrovich was seriously ill, but continued to work. This was even noted in the correspondence - he mentioned that Lazarev did not spare himself, and was afraid that this would complicate the course of the disease.
In 1851, the admiral, along with his wife and daughter, left for Vienna, hoping that European doctors could somehow help cope with the disease. However, the cancer only became more aggressive, and Lazarev finally fell ill, although he tried not to show how much suffering the disease brought. The man did not want to ask the sovereign, who favored him, to take care of his family, just as he never wanted to ask anyone for help.
The navigator died on April 11, 1851 in Vienna, the cause of death being stomach cancer. The body of Mikhail Petrovich was taken to his homeland, to the city of Sevastopol, where he was buried in the crypt of the Vladimir Cathedral.
Funds for the installation of a monument to the admiral were collected on the day of the funeral. The opening of the monument took place in 1867, but this monument has not been preserved. Today, busts of the navigator are installed in Lazarevskoye, Nikolaev, Sevastopol and Novorossiysk.
During Mikhail Petrovich’s life, many artists painted his portraits, including the brilliant marine painter. In addition, images of Lazarev can be found on stamps and envelopes from the times of the USSR.
Awards
- Order of St. George, 4th class
- Order of St. Vladimir, 4th degree
- Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree
- Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd degree
- Order of St. Andrew the First-Called
- Order of St. Vladimir, 1st class
- Order of the White Eagle
- Order of St. Alexander Nevsky
- Commander's Cross of the Order of the Savior
- Order of the Bath
- Order of Saint Louis
Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev is a wonderful Russian traveler and naval commander. The future naval commander was born in Vladimir in November 1788 into the family of the ruler of the Vladimir governorship.
In 1800, Mikhail was accepted into the Naval Cadet Corps. Studying was difficult, and these difficulties were combined with the difficulties of hiking in the Gulf of Finland. The young man was quickly noticed; he stood out from his peers with his talents and attitude.
After graduating from the cadet corps, Lazarev was sent as a volunteer to England to undergo naval practice. For several years he walked the seas and oceans, engaged in self-education. Mikhail loved history and ethnography.
In 1808, officer Mikhail Lazarev returned to Russia and received the rank of midshipman. He took part in the war with Sweden and was promoted to lieutenant in 1811. He was also a participant and smashed Napoleon on the seas.
In 1813, Mikhail Lazarev discovered uninhabited islands, which were given the name. He traveled around the world and only in 1816 returned to Russia, carrying foreign delights on his ship: new animals, spices and other foreign goods that were not available in Russia.
He went with an expedition to the north, beyond the Arctic Circle, and discovered several unknown islands and archipelagos. It became clear to Lazarev and other scientists that there was a large land near the South Pole. For the discovery of new lands, Mikhail Petrovich was awarded the rank of captain.
In 1826, he became the commander of the ship "Azov", and participated in the Battle of Navarino, showing his best side. For his courage, Mikhail Lazarev was promoted to rear admiral. In 1832, the officer became chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet. He distinguished himself during his time and was promoted to vice admiral.
Lazarev feared a British invasion of the Black Sea and, back in 1834, developed a plan to repel English attacks. The Russian fleet required updating to meet modern standards. He, realizing this, began painstaking work to modernize the Russian fleet. Under Lazarev, 110 ships were built, innovative technologies and techniques were adopted.
He led the construction of defense lines in the Caucasus, the purpose of which was to stop the supply of weapons to the highlanders, with whom he was at war at that time. Thanks to patrolling the Black Sea waters, the shipmen had practice and gained invaluable experience. For his contribution to the development of the Russian fleet, Mikhail Lazarev was promoted to admiral and awarded the highest state awards.
Lazarev was not only an excellent naval commander, but also an excellent teacher. After himself, he left other wonderful people for the Russian fleet who were his students - Kornilov and many others.
Mikhail Petrovich died in 1851. He did not live his life in vain; he created an excellent fleet for Russia, which for a long time served as a stronghold of its interests. Admiral himself forever inscribed his name in golden letters in the bright pages of Russian history.
