The tercentenary of the Battle of Gangut is celebrated in the Presidential Library

On the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Gangut, which is celebrated today, August 7, 2014, the Presidential Library has prepared remarkable materials on the first outstanding victory of the Russian fleet.

The chronicle of this battle has always attracted the attention of researchers. The battle took place at Cape Gangut in summer of 1714, during the Great Northern War. Day of a victory of our country in this fight was proclaimed the Day of Military Glory of Russia in 1995. The Battle of Gangut was the first naval battle of the galley fleet in the Baltic Sea. The only time in the contemporary history of Russian naval forces the head of state Emperor Peter I in person controlled the battle.

Gangut is the first major victory of the Russian fleet. It raised the spirit of the troops, showing that besides a land the Swedes can be overcome at sea. In Gangut the Russian command had fearlessly taken advantage of the rowing fleet against linear sailing Sweden fleet, skillfully organizing interaction of naval and ground forces, flexibly responding to changes in the tactical situation and weather conditions, figuring out the enemy’s maneuver and imposing his tactics. This battle was not without losses: Swedes lost 10 ships, 361 men killed, 350 wounded and 237 taken captive. Russia's losses counted to 127 killed and 342 wounded.

Raising a naval power of Russia revealed a need for a law that regulating the main aspects of naval life. On 13th (24th) of January 1720 Peter I was approved the first Russian Naval Regulations that laid down a legal basis for the Navy. Related to the naval fundamentals rules were accumulated in one document. Many of these are still relevant at present. The important for the evolving the Navy documents "Naval Regulations Project with Notes and Explanations" of 1853 and "Naval Regulations" of 1885 emphasizes on close relationship of service to the native land and a loyalty to the patriotic and moral ideals. These rarities are available in digital form for everyone on the Presidential Library’s website.

The Presidential Library began to prepare to the memorable date of the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Gangut long ago. In April 2014 the video lecture with participation of prominent scholars and teachers examined the remarkable scenes of the Battle of Gangut, uncovering the obscure details of the memorable battle, took place in the first national electronic library. For instance, audience found out about an interesting fact: for a long time it was believed that at the Battle of Gangut the Swedes repulsed two out of three attacks of the Russian fleet. But Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the History Faculty of St. Petersburg’s State University, an author of "Gangut Battle of 1714" book Pavel Krotov in his lecture denied this view: "Three attacks is a myth created by the Swedes as a proof of their stubborn resistance: the attack was the only one."

The first electronic national library of the country has accumulated more than 600 materials on the history of the Navy. This figure is constantly increasing, as the fund of the Presidential Library is regularly replenishing with new acquisitions. Most of these materials will be presented in September, on the Day of Naval Knowledge in the Presidential Library. Unique documents and rare books on the history of the fleet can be actively used in the military and patriotic education; due to its easy accessibility and usual for youth digital format these materials could generate broader interest in the history of the Armed Forces.