Battle of Gangut: the first triumph of the Russian fleet

7 August 2019

August 7, 2019 marks the 305th anniversary of the Battle of Gangut. It is one of the most significant victories of the Russian Navy. It was the battle that forever made the status of a sea power.

The Presidential Library’s digital collections contain rare documents, books and video lectures about the Battle of Gangut.

If you do not know the intricacies of history, it is hard to believe that many of the smallest circumstances, including even the morning calm, were taken into account by Peter the Great. He himself, with the help of Admiral General Count Fyodor Apraksin, developed and then conducted an offensive operation. In essence, an action plan has been carefully drafted over several years.

...At the beginning of the war with Charles XII, Russia did not have sufficient naval forces to oppose the Swedes. But this did not stop Peter I. We read about this in V. G. Goncharov’s book The Battle of Gangut of July 27, 1714: marking the 200th anniversary of the naval victory at Gangut (1914).

First of all, Peter in 1703 founded St. Petersburg, the future Russian capital and the first seaport in the Gulf of Finland. Also, by order of the sovereign on the White Sea - in our only port at the time - active construction of the fleet began.

In just 10 years, Russian shipbuilders achieved great success, which began to disturb the Swedish king. It was such a period that Peter I needed to prepare for a decisive battle with the enemy over the western borders of our state. The autocrat wanted to know absolutely everything, because he believed: the success of a battle depends on professionalism.

At this time, according to Goncharov, the commander-in-chief of our fleet, Count Apraksin, conducted reconnaissance near enemy positions. This gave a very tangible benefit.

The emperor was engaged in the training of personnel. “The Tsar ... went out with the ships to the sea and produced various teachings”, - states the publication The Battle of Gangut.

Assessing the situation with the movements of the Swedes, Peter the Great decided to bypass the enemy fleet in galleys - not by sea. The ships were to be transferred overland from the southern coast of the Gangut peninsula to the north. Thus, our rowing fleet would be behind enemy lines. But everything turned out differently. The command of the Swedish forces dramatically changed the tactics, which forced them to go on the attack by sea.

The alignment of forces in the future battle seemed extremely successful for the Russian rowing fleet: there were about 100 galleys against 10 enemy ships.

It was decided to go for a breakthrough by the squadron of the Royal Swedish Navy. And make it so that our ships are beyond the reach of enemy guns. And it succeeded! And then it was time to strike at the main forces of the enemy, commanded by Admiral Erensjold.

A fierce battle began. It lasted about three hours. In boarding battles, in the very first rows - shoulder to shoulder with the sailors, Peter I himself fought, encouraging people with his personal example... The Swedes were not inferior in courage: they were outraged by the offended pride of the soldiers, who had long been accustomed to military glory in sea battles. But it soon became clear: the onslaught of Russian sailors did not break. And the ships of Admiral Erensköld one by one began to lower the flags. It was a blow, after which it is impossible to recover.

The significance for our country is truly enormous. Its victory was the first serious triumph of our fleet. And for the emperor it was a matter of the sailor’s honor.