The Presidential Library marking the 300th anniversary of the victory of the Russian fleet at Grengam

300 years ago, on August 7 (July 27, old style), 1720, the last major naval battle in the Northern War - the naval Battle of Grengam Island was held. The victory of the young Russian fleet had a great influence on the course of the war and largely predetermined the speedy conclusion of the Treaty of Nystad.

An extensive collection of unique materials “Peter I (1672–1725)” on the Presidential Library’s portal, which is part of the “The House of Romanov. The Zemsky Sobor of 1613” collection, is dedicated to the creator of the Russian Navy, Emperor Peter I. The course of the Great Northern War is introduced by On This Day section and individual digitized studies available both on the portal and in the electronic reading room of the library.

By August 1720, the war between Russia and Sweden had been going on for 20 years. Its reason is called by the military historian Sergei Mikheev in the book “History of the Russian Army” (1910): “Starting with Ivan the Terrible, for 150 years, the Moscow state has made every effort to regain the shores of the Baltic Sea, and although one of our unsuccessful war is being replaced by another - also unsuccessful, but the desire does not weaken, because the vital interests of the state imperiously demanded to find an outlet to the sea at all costs and return the possessions lost there".

After the Battle of Gangut in 1714, England, alarmed by the strengthening of Russia's naval positions, entered into a military alliance with Sweden. In 1720, the Anglo-Swedish squadron demonstratively approached Revel, but then again withdrew to the Swedish shores. Prince Pyotr Golitsyn, who was then in Revel, reported this event to Peter I in his message included in the "Collection of letters from Emperor Peter I to various persons with answers to these" (1830).

The British fleet did not participate in the Battle of Grengam Island, which is part of the Åland archipelago. The Swedes, led by Vice Admiral Karl Schöblad, had one ship of the line, four frigates, three galleys, shnava, galiot, brigantine and three skerboats. The Russian squadron under the command of General Mikhail Golitsyn consisted of 61 galleys and 29 boats. On August 7 (July 27), the Russian fleet moved to Grengam Island to take a convenient position in the skerries, but was attacked by the Swedes and turned back into the strait. The enemy ships rushed in pursuit, but in the shallow water the large frigates were helpless. The Russians launched a counterattack and took 4 frigates on board, the rest of the Swedish ships retreated. The historian of the navy, General Theodosius Veselago, in his book A Brief History of the Russian Fleet (1893) described this battle.

Prince Mikhail Golitsyn, who commanded the Russian squadron, reported to Peter I about the battle. This unique testimony of a participant in the battle is available in the "Collected Letters of Emperor Peter I to Various Persons with Answers to These".

Some historians cite a tactical error of the command among the reasons for the defeat of the Swedish fleet. This opinion is cited, for example, by the writer Maria Lyalina in her book “The exploits of the Russian admirals Peter Mikhailov, Spiridov, Ushakov, Senyavin, Heyden, Lazarev, Nakhimov, Kornilov and their associates” (1900).

However, no one will dispute that the brilliant victory at Grengam was primarily won thanks to the skillful actions of our officers and the desperate courage of the sailors. In honor of the victory, gold and silver medals "For the Battle of Grengam" were made with the inscriptions: "Diligence and courage exceed strength" and "July 1720 at 27 days", which were awarded to Russian sailors.

August 7 (July 27, old style) - on the day of commemoration of St. Panteleimon, the Russian fleet in different years became famous twice - in 1714, in the Battle of Gangut and, 6 years later - at Grengam. In honor of these victories in St. Petersburg in 1739 the Panteleimon Church was built. In 1914, marble plaques with a list of regiments that fought at Gangut and Grengam were reinforced on its facade.

The Battle of Grengam was the final in the Northern War. According to Colonel of the Guards General Staff Alexander Kartsov, author of the Military-Historical Review of the Northern War (1851), “the Swedish government finally became convinced of its powerlessness to wage war with Peter and offered peace. The Tsar did not refuse. Negotiations were opened in Nystad".