Scan the text. The Life and Activities of the “Amur Admiral” Gennady Ivanovich Nevelskoy

The Life and Activities of the “Amur Admiral” Gennady Ivanovich Nevelskoy

Gennady Ivanovich Nevelskoy was born on November, 23^rd, 1803 in a noble family in Drakino near Kostroma. When Gennady was 10 years old, his father died and the small boy was brought up by his grandfather and an uncle-seaman. They had inculcated in him love for reading and awakened interest to voyages.

When Gennady was 15 years old, the uncle enrolled him in the Sea Military School, located in St. Petersburg. I. F. Krusenshtern, one of the first Russian round-the-world seafarers was a director of this school. He told the students a lot about his expeditions and Gennady started dreaming about round-the-world trips.

After he graduated the Marine Cadet Corps (1832) and officers' courses (1836), he followed his father's footsteps and became a naval officer. Nevelskoy served in the Baltic Fleet and sailed to the shores of Sweden, Prussia, Denmark, and Holland (1836-43).

In 1844, on the ship Ingermanland he sailed from Arkhangelsk to Kronstadt and in the North and Mediterranean Seas (1845-47).

During 10 years he traveled with a young prince Konstantin along the seas and oceans, teaching him sea-craft.

In 1846, Nevelskoy submitted the official report to appoint him to the Baikal ship in captain’s rank. This ship destined to transport cargoes to ports of the Russian-American company.

On January, 2^nd, 1849 the vessel had rounded the Horn cape and left to the Pacific Ocean. He spent only 8 months and 23 days in navigation instead of 9, 5 -10 months. At those times it was the shortest period of time to reach ports of the RAC. The young captain hurried up to win some time to explore the southwest of the Okhotsk Sea. He did it at his own risk since he did not have any sanction to research that area.

On July, 22^nd, 1849 his expedition proved, that the Amur was appropriate for sea vessels and that Sakhalin was an island.

On September, 1^st Nevelskoy met with Muravyov, informed him and showed maps and descriptions, made during the explorations. He insisted to put an end to errors concerning his discoveries.

This discovery drastically altered the entire Russian policy in the East of the Empire and provided for solving the international problems practically, China included.

On February, 12^th, 1851 the Emperor issued the order to organize the Amur expedition headed by Captain G.I. Nevelskoy. By that time he married and his wife, Ekaterina Ivanovna, went together with him to that expedition. In 1850-1852 G.I. Nevelskoy founded the first Russian ports called Petrovsky and Nikolaevsky at the Amur estuary, and Alexandrovsky in De-Kastri Bay. As for Nikolaevsky port it was the exact case when the Emperor said, ”Once Russian flag was raised, it should not be lowered”.

During 1852 G.I. Nevelskoy was struggling for the Russian Far East with maximum effort and minimum facilities and support of the state. He and his detachment were betrayed by the Board of the Russian – American Company so they had lack of food, equipment and persons. At that time his wife, Ekaterina Ivanovna, lost their first-born girl because of famine (later they had several children).

In 1853 Nevelskoy received a notification from St. Petersburg to occupy Sakalin. So there were built Ilyinsky and Muravyovsky ports. Thus after the tragic Nerchinsk Treaty, Nevelskoy started the period of opening and joining the huge territory back to Russia. His achievements were based on courage and fidelity to the native land.

During 6 years the Amur expedition investigated the basin of this river and put the end to uncertainty in a boundary question, determined by Muravyov in Aigun and Beijing Treaties.

After those treaties Nevelskoy and the others were awarded the orders of St. Ann of the 1-st degree and received the lifelong pension of 2 000 rubles. Soon he became a member of the Sea Scientific Committee in St. Petersburg.

Gennady Ivanovich Nevelskoy was promoted to the contr-admiral in 1854. On January 1^st, 1864 Nevelskoy became the vice-admiral, in 1874 the admiral. Then in 1855 he was appointed the head of maritime forces.

During two years Gennady Nevelskoy was making instructions for ships’ captains who intended to go to the Far East. At that time he began writing his book “Feats of Russian Marine Officers on the Extreme East of Russia”.

He died on April 17^th, 1876. His book “Priamursky and Priussuriisky regions” was published by his wife after his death.

8 geographical places bear the name of G. I. Nevelskoy, including one of the cities in Sakhalin, a gulf between capes, a strait between Khabarovsk Territory and Sakhalin, an embankment in Khabarovsk, etc.

According to the order of Sea Fleet Minister from September 16^th, 1965 Vladivostok Higher Engineer Maritime College was renamed into the Far Eastern Higher Engineer Maritime College named after Admiral G.I. Nevelskoy.

6. Answer the following questions:

• Why did Gennady Ivanovich Nevelskoy become a seaman?

• How did he realize his dreams?

• Why did he move to the Far East?

•What was his main aim aboard the Baikal ship?

• How long did it take him to transport cargoes to the ports of the Russian-American company?

•How many days did he have in reserve to explore the Amur estuary and Sakhalin Island?

•What can you say about his personal life?

•What was he awarded for?