Birth of Alexei A. Peshchurov, Russian Naval Commander, Statesman, Vice-Admiral, Chief Commander of the Black Sea Fleet

9 (21) May 1834 in Losevo village, Mosalsk district, Kaluga Province, in the family of Chief Procurator of VII Department of the Governing Senate was born Alexei A. Peshchurov, Russian naval commander, explorer, statesman, vice-admiral, chief commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Marine Minister, a member of the State Council of the Russian Empire; researcher of the Sea of ​​Japan.

At the age of 13 Peshchurov entered in the Marine Corps as a cadet. In 1852-1854, as a midshipman on the frigate "Pallas", he participated in the transition of the diplomatic mission headed by Vice-Admiral E. V. Putyatin from Kronstadt to Japan during which he was promoted to warrant officer. In 1855 Peshchurov returned to Kronstadt, and in November was promoted to lieutenant. He also took part in the defense of the Baltic coast during the Crimean War, fulfilling the office of Adjutant under the Chief of Staff of Baltic Fleet.

After the end of the Crimean War, the young lieutenant was sent on a mission to the military shipyards in England and France for the distribution of Admiralty orders, compiling detailed reports on the technological process of the armored ship building. For the successfully completed mission Peshchurov was awarded the Order of St. Anne 3rd degree and the rank of lieutenant commander.

In September 1860 Peshchurov was appointed commander of "Gaydamak" clipper and again sent from Kronstadt to the Far East to reinforce the Pacific squadron. As part of the squadron commanded by Rear-Admiral A. A. Popov, "Gaydamak" secretly raided the shores of North America, and for 2 years had been cruising the east coast of the United States. After completing this mission in 1864 Peshchurov was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir 4th degree and was promoted to captain 2nd rank.

In 1867, on orders from the emperor Peshchurov, as the responsible Commissioner, was sent to the North American United States for the transfer of the territory of Russian America under the agreement. For his work in 1868 he was promoted to captain 1st rank and appointed vice-director of the Office of Naval Ministry. For his contribution to the development of the new provisions on compulsory military service in 1873, he gained the monarch's favor. Soon he was promoted to rear admiral, then he was appointed to the retinue of His Majesty, and in 1880 he became Minister of Marine.

In the mid 1870s in shipyards of the Russian Empire was launched a program of construction of armored fleet. In this regard, Peshchurov was charged with organization of the construction of modern armored ships in the Black Sea. In 1882 he was promoted to vice-admiral, but some time later he was appointed commander of the Black Sea Fleet, the commander of the main ports and military governor of the city of Nikolayev. His activism had allowed in a short period of time to lay some of the newest battleships of the time, including such significant ones as "Catherine II», «Sinop" and others.

For launch in 1886 a three-turret armored ship "Chesma" Peshchurov was awarded the Order of White Eagle, and for the development of the construction of modern warships in the Black Sea in 1888 was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky.

From 1856 Peshchurov was a regular contributor to "Sea Collection", which published his memories of voyages to the Pacific Ocean, of his stay in North America, of establishing a construction of an armored fleet in Russia.

In 1890, Peshchurov left the naval service. In August of that year he was appointed a member of the State Council. However, as a result of unexpected illness Alexei A. Peshchurov died 8 (20) October 1891 in St. Petersburg. His funeral service was held at the St. Petersburg St. Spyridon Admiralty Cathedral and he buried in the Novodevichy cemetery.

In honor of Vice-Admiral A. A. Peshchurov two capes in the Sea of ​​Japan have been named.

Lit.: Алексей Алексеевич Пещуров (1834-1891) [Электронный ресурс] // Военно-морской флот. Б. д. URL: http://www.navy.su/persons/17/aa_peshurov.htm; Сирый С. П. Десятый Морской министр Императорского флота России вице-адмирал Пещуров Алексей Алексеевич [Электронный ресурс] // РГАВМФ. Б. д. URL: https://rgavmf.ru/sites/default/files/lib/siry_peschurov.pdf.