Almost everyone has heard about the city of Odessa, but not everyone knows who Osip Mikhailovich Deribas is, who is directly related to it. However, at birth, this man had a completely different name. The biography of Osip Mikhailovich Deribas, his activities and role in the history of Russia will be described in this essay.
Birth and youth
Osip Mikhailovich Deribas, whose photo is placed in the article, is known in Russia under this name. However, at birth, his name was different - José de Ribas. He belonged to a noble Catalan family. His father, Miguel de Ribas, was a marshal in the Kingdom of Naples, and his mother came from a noble Irish family.
The exact date of birth of Osip Mikhailovich Deribas has not been established. Scholars speak of a period between 1749 and 1754. Some researchers claim that he was born on June 6, 1749. According to the latest version, based on the documents of the de Ribas family, one group of scientists says that Osip Mikhailovich was born on September 13, 1751. It should be noted that a single date,which could be considered the birthday of Deribas, today is not.
Osip (Jose) received an excellent education, spoke six languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Latin). Even in his youth, he was enlisted by his father in the Neapolitan guard. He joined the Samnite Infantry Regiment and was promoted to second lieutenant.
Beginning of service in Russia
In 1769, Osip Mikhailovich Deribas met Count A. Orlov, who commanded the Archipelago expedition of the Russian B altic Fleet in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Count Orlov, who de alt with the issues of manning and supplying Russian crews in Livorno, suggested that Deribas enter the service of the Russian Empire.
The latter gave his consent and became a naval volunteer. It is assumed that it was during this period that Osip added several years to his age, which is why there is currently a heated debate about the date of his birth. It should be noted that just a year later he participated in the famous Chesme battle in the Mediterranean. Deribas was a member of the crew on one of the fireships that burned the Turkish fleet.
Career development
After the glorious victory, Count Orlov gave Osip various instructions that favored the establishment of relations with the Kingdom of Naples. In 1771, he received the rank of major and in the same year he visited St. Petersburg for the first time on an assignment from Count Alexei Orlov.
Laterfor some time he returned to Livorno, however, already with an assignment for the count himself from the Russian Empress Catherine the Great. She ordered Count Orlov to return ten-year-old A. Bobrinsky, her illegitimate son, from Leipzig. The count, in turn, entrusted this matter to Osip Mikhailovich Deribas.
He brought the boy first to Livorno, and in 1774 brought him to St. Petersburg. During this period of time, Deribas became friends with A. Bobrinsky and subsequently maintained good relations with him. According to the researchers, this fact clearly played one of the main roles in the career of Osip Mikhailovich.
Foundation of Odessa
After participating in the Russian-Turkish war, from 1787 to 1792, Deribas was sent to guard the new border with the Turks that ran along the Dniester River. It was decided to build the Dniester defense line. For the construction of the Khadzhibey fortress, the future defensive outpost, a place was chosen that had previously been recaptured from the Turks.
The fortress was built, gradually erected and equipped with a port for both combat and merchant ships. In 1792, Deribas received the rank of vice admiral, and was also appointed head of the new city. In 1795, the equipped fortress and the area around it were renamed Odessa. So Osip Mikhailovich Deribas became the founder of the famous city. Currently, the main city street is named after him. In 1793, Deribas was appointed commander of the Black Sea Fleet.
Family
Osip Mikhailovich Deribas had three brothers and two sisters. The brothers, like himself, moved to Russia and devoted their lives to serving her. The sisters remained in Naples and lived there until the end of their days.
One of Deribas' brothers - Emmanuel, fought with him in the Turkish campaign in 1788-1791. During the capture of the fortress of Ishmael, he died from numerous wounds. Felix settled in Odessa after its founding, donating to the city a large plot of land in which a large garden was arranged, which has survived to this day.
The personal life of Osip Mikhailovich Deribas was successful. He married A. I. Sokolova, daughter of I. I. Betsky, secretary of Catherine II. They had two daughters in marriage - Sofia and Ekaterina. The latter married I. S. Gorgoli, Privy Councilor and Police Chief of St. Petersburg. The godmother was Empress Catherine the Great.
The daughter of Osip Mikhailovich - Sofia, married Prince M. M. Dolgorukov. An interesting fact is that the great-granddaughter of Deribas, E. Dolgorukova, entered into a morganatic marriage with Emperor Alexander II. It is also known that Osip Mikhailovich had an illegitimate son - I. I. Sabir, who rose to the rank of major general.
Conclusion
Osip Mikhailovich Deribas died in early December 1800, at the age of 51 (according to another version - at 46). His death came as a complete surprise to his family and loved ones. A year before her, he received the rank of admiral, and in 1797 he was removed from the post of commander of the Black Sea Fleet.
Similar career changes werecommonplace after Paul I ascended the throne. All the former favorites of Catherine the Great lost their posts. Before his death, Deribas was engaged in the acquisition of provisions for the fleet, in which he was very successful, saving significant amounts for the treasury by making purchases directly from suppliers, and not from resellers. He also worked in the forestry department, responsible for logging for the needs of the navy.
The name of Osip Mikhailovich Deribas entered the history of Russia not only as the name of the founder of the beautiful city of Odessa, but also as an excellent naval officer. He won numerous victories in naval battles, with his participation several Turkish fortresses were captured, for example, Ochakov and Izmail, and he also served Russia faithfully.
Grateful descendants in 2004 in Odessa - in the place where the street dedicated to Osip Mikhailovich Deribas begins, opened a monument to him, which is currently one of the visiting cards of the city and its popular attraction.
