Admiral FF Ushakov. Admiral Ushakov: biography and interesting facts from life

FF Ushakov is an admiral, one of those whose name is associated with the formation of the Russian fleet. He played the same role in the development of the naval forces of the country, which Suvorov performed for the ground forces.

The beginning of the life path

Admiral Ushakov's biography begins on February 13, according to the old style (February 24), 1745 in the village of Burnakovo, which belongs to the Yaroslavl province. His parents were noblemen, belonging to an ancient but impoverished family.

Since childhood, Fedor Ushakov has sought to the sea, so he joined the Marine Cadet Corps. After his graduation, he served in the Baltic Fleet, and three years later, along with other best officers, he was transferred to Azov on the Black Sea.

The biography of Admiral Ushakov contains many glorious events that left a significant mark in Russian history. At first he became one of the youngest officers, who were entrusted with the leadership of the frigate, and later - captain of the battleship "Victor". Ushakov actively participated in the construction of Sevastopol as the main point where the newly created Black Sea Fleet was based.

In 1785 he led the construction of ships in Kherson. Here Ushakov received his first award - the Order of St. Vladimir IV degree. But he was awarded it not for military feats, but for successes in the fight against the plague epidemic in the city.

Ushakov during the Russo-Turkish War

Ushakov's naval capabilities were first observed and evaluated during the Russo-Turkish war. He was not afraid to break the already existing traditions of sea battle. Previously, the ships moved only parallel to each other and fired the enemy from the side of the ship. But Ushakov did not adhere to these orders, he preferred to disrupt the enemy's ships, to make the main target the flagship. Having put him out of action, Ushakov sowed panic in the remaining enemy without command. As a result, the waving ships, unable to maintain the battle order, were crushed.

Like everything new, this tactic of naval combat also met with strong resistance from the command of the fleet. But Ushakov's brilliant victories convinced him of the correctness of his actions, even the most stubborn opponents. This played a significant role in his appointment as squadron commander.

Successes in the Black Sea

At this post Ushakov again proved himself as a competent naval commander. At the island of Fidonisi he managed to suppress the coastal batteries of the enemy by the fire of the forward detachment of ships, which was of great importance in the outcome of the battle. This battle was the baptism of fire of the Sevastopol squadron and the first naval battle of the Russo-Turkish war of 1787-1792. And the successful beginning of military operations instilled confidence in their abilities in Russian naval officers and sailors.

By the time when the commander of the Black Sea fleet was Ushakov, the admiral earned respect even from the Turks, who began to call him Usak Pasha. Victory in the battle of Kerch and the battle of Tendra added military glory to the Russian fleet. And in the battle of Kaliakria the Turkish fleet was so caught between Ushakov's ships that they could not shoot because of the risk of getting into their own.

War in the Mediterranean Sea

Even more impressive victories were won by Fedor Ushakov in the Mediterranean during the war with France. The Russian squadron liberated the Greek Ionian Islands, adhering to the tactics of shelling coastal fortifications and subsequent landing of troops. In 1798, at last, the island of Corfu was recaptured from the French, which was considered impregnable. These battles can be considered the starting point for the birth of the Russian naval landing.

The victory of the Russians under Corfu was so brilliant that it made the legendary Suvorov regret that he did not participate in this battle!

In the Ionian Islands, after liberation, the first independent Greek state, the Republic of the Seven Islands, was established. Ushakov took an active part in his political arrangement. The Admiral composed the Constitution of the new state and achieved the conclusion of a treaty beneficial to both Russia and the Greek government.

At the Italian coasts seized by the French, the Russian squadron again won impressive victories. After failing to keep Naples, the coastal fortresses were surrendered by the French command in order to avoid large casualties.

In 1800 the squadron Ushakov with triumph returned to Sevastopol.

Ushakov's innovation in naval affairs

During these actions the scheme of joint actions of sea and land forces developed by Ushakov perfectly showed itself. Subsequently, all textbooks on tactics were written about her. Maneuvers during the sea battle were also elaborated by Ushakov, who distributed the objects of fire and the route of each ship.

With him, for the first time, enemy ships were also mined. This made it possible to bring discord and confusion to the ranks of the enemy, especially when the flagship ship was put out of action at the very beginning of the battle. After that, the remaining enemy ships were destroyed.

Ushakov is an admiral who developed a new system for training ship crews. For the first time, it included training in shooting and ground combat techniques. These principles of training of naval officers and sailors were preserved even with the advent of steam vessels.

All tactical moves Ushakov during his naval battles were studied by naval commanders in the following years. Their value and innovation was noted, for example, by the English-crowned Admiral Nelson. By his own admission, he owed Ushakov his victories in the battle of Abukir and in the Battle of Trafalgar.

Retired

Unfortunately, all the merits of the illustrious admiral before Russia were forgotten, as soon as he resigned and left the capital. The Navy did not even remember it. But it was Ushakov who invested most of his energy in the creation and formation of a battle-worthy Black Sea fleet.

Admiral F.F. Ushakov ended his life in October 1817 on his estate. He was buried in a monastery near Temnikov. A modest tomb by the end of the century was already almost invisible.

In the last years of his life the great naval commander led a modest and secluded life in the village of Alekseevka, engaged in charity. He did not like to draw attention to his person. And this, together with the efforts of enemies, was the reason that the name FF. Ushakov was almost forgotten.

Only in 1983 in the Russian fleet appeared battleship, named after the admiral Ushakov.

The return of the glorious name

There was not a single portrait of Admiral in life, on which one could imagine his appearance. Strangely enough, its appearance was restored only in the 40s of the XX century. Then the special commission established the exact place of burial Ushakov. And the famous sculptor-anthropologist M.M. Gerasimov, using his technique, reconstructed the appearance of the admiral on the skull. According to the documents preserved in the archives and the memoirs of his contemporaries, Admiral Ushakov's biography was restored.

During the Great Patriotic War, the name of the famous naval commander was a symbol of selfless struggle with the enemy for sailors. In 1944, awards were awarded to Admiral Ushakov. Distinguished naval officers were awarded the Order, which has two degrees. And the sailors for personal courage and heroism were awarded the Ushakov medal.

In 1953, the director Michael Romm directed the painting "Admiral Ushakov". The film received a deserved recognition of moviegoers, becoming a powerful tool for patriotic education. The role of Ushakov played the famous Ivan Pereverzev. A wonderful play of actors, bright scenes of battles, fascinating historical events, amazing combined shooting - all this became the key to the success of the film.

Named after the admiral

After the film was released, many objects appeared on the screen, bearing the name of Admiral Ushakov. Metro, streets, educational institutions, ships of the military, commercial and fishing fleet began to be called his name.

Most of these memorable places in Sevastopol, a city closely associated with the name of the great naval commander. Ushakov Square with a monument near the Sailor's Club is always crowded. Next to the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia is another sculpture of the admiral, created with the funds of sailors.

It is symbolic that the Naval Academy, a graduate of which was a famous naval commander, is on the embankment of his name. And for her excellent work in training, she was awarded the Order of Ushakov I degree. The name of the admiral is named and one of the bridges across the Neva.

In Moscow there is a boulevard of Admiral Ushakov, next to it - the same metro station.

In different cities of our country there are monuments to Ushakov, including in Saransk, in his homeland. But his memory is also revered in Greece and in Bulgaria, owed to him by his liberation from the Turkish yoke. Monuments are erected on the island of Corfu, where the Russian Week is held annually, and at Cape Kaliakria.

The Russian Orthodox Church canonized Ushakov and ranked them among the saints. Righteous warrior Theodore of Sanaxar since 2000 is the patron saint of the Russian navy, and since 2005 - and the strategic air force.

The memory of the great son of the Russian people - Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov - is carefully preserved by descendants.