The Battle of Grenham was one of the most significant naval battles of the early 18th century. This naval battle finally cemented the reputation of the young Russian Empire as a maritime power. Its importance also lay in the fact that the battle of Grengam brought the Russian fleet an important victory, which was won at the most critical moment. Sweden could get help from England - the Queen of the Seas, and in this case, the exit routes of Russian ships to the shores of Northern Europe could be in jeopardy. The combat squadron of the English fleet was located in the B altic Sea and was ready for joint maneuvers with the sailing fleet of the Swedish kingdom. The right place, the right actions brought victory to Russia, a victory that Peter the Great himself was so proud of.
Schoolchildren in history lessons are asked questions about the year in which the Battle of Grenham took place, who was the enemy of Russia, and whether this battle was won. We will try to answer these and other questions in detail.
Background of the battle
The year of the Battle of Grenham was marked by the rapid success of the young Russian Empire in shipbuilding and maritime navigation. The Russians were quick to learn both the classic fighting techniques of sailing ships and the skills acquired from pirates. These achievements could not but disturb the major maritime powers. The need to apply any specific actions became obvious after the Gangut battle, in which the Russian fleet defeated the Swedish military detachment. A military alliance was formed by the forces of England and Sweden, the main goal of which was to contain the Russian naval forces and prevent the dominance of the Russian fleet in the B altic Sea. In order to demonstrate their defensive alliance, the combined Anglo-Swedish squadron entered the B altic Sea and began to approach Ravel.
Such maneuvers did not force the Russian Tsar to look for ways to reconcile with a powerful enemy, and the squadron retreated to the waters of Sweden. When the Russian emperor found out about this retreat, he ordered the ships of the Russian fleet to be transferred from the Aland Islands to Helsingfors. Several boats were dispersed near the flagships, designed to patrol neutral waters. Soon one of the boats ran aground, and her crew was captured by Swedish sailors. Peter was informed about the loss of the boat, he ordered the fleet to be returned to its old base - to the coast of the Aland Islands.
Reconnaissance
July 26, 1720 61 galleys and 29 boatsThe Russian fleet began to approach the Aland Islands. The flotilla was commanded by General M. M. Golitsyn, a confidant of Peter the 1st. At the forefront of the flotilla were small boats intended for reconnaissance operations. Thanks to such forethought, Golitsyn discovered that a Swedish squadron was waiting for him between the islands of Fritsberg and Lemland.
Opponent
Swedish warships were commanded by an experienced naval commander, Admiral K. Schöbland. His squadron included four frigates, one battleship, nine smaller ships and boats, and over a thousand personnel.
In the conditions of stormy wind and high waves, the naval battle had to be postponed. The Russian squadron headed for about. Grengam to prepare their own position for the impending battle. Thus began the Battle of Grenham.
1720 for the Russian fleet meant experienced commanders, strong ships, the already existing experience of victories in sea battles. Therefore, when the enemy's flagship approached, it was given a fitting rebuff.
Admiral of the Swedish Navy K. Sjöbland had 156 guns on board his warship, so he did not really try to hide from single shots of Russian guns. Having approached the required distance, the Swedish ship began massively firing at Russian ships from all available guns.
Preparing for battle
After studying the intelligence data, General Golitsyn was preparing a large-scale naval battle. He decided to go to the small pool of Granhatm (Grengam). In this place, according to the available pilotagemaps, the narrowest straits and extensive shoals were discovered. In the event of active hostilities, there was a threat of a blockade of Russian ships by the forces of the Swedish squadron. Golitsyn foresaw options for an unfavorable outcome of the battle, ensuring the withdrawal of Russian ships to their previous positions in the Fliesesund Strait. Having ensured the withdrawal of Russian ships, General Golitsyn gave the order to start the Battle of Grenham.
Track of battle
July 27, 1720, the Swedish squadron, using a fair wind, began to move towards the strait, where the ships of the Russian fleet were concentrated.
Golitsyn gave the order to slowly retreat, luring the Swedes into a prepared trap. When four frigates of the Swedish fleet, led by the flagship, entered the Flisyosun Strait, the Russian squadron took up its former positions, blocking the Swedes from leaving the trap. Light rowing boats of the Russian fleet attacked enemy ships from all sides. Trying to get away from the boarding attack, the Swedish ships began to turn around, but ran aground. Thus, they further complicated the position of their other ships - heavy frigates blocked the exit from the trap and made it difficult for the rest of the Swedish ships to maneuver. The fierce boarding battle lasted more than four hours and was crowned with a crushing success for the Russian fleet. Russian sailors managed to capture four Swedish frigates, the rest of the ships, led by the flagship, managed to get out of the trap with heavy losses.
Combat casu alties
Grenham battle claimed the lives of 82 Russian sailors, 203 people were injured. The enemy side lost 103 killed and 407 wounded. Russian ships received significant damage, but the Swedes lost four of their frigates forever.
Results of the battle
Despite significant losses, the Battle of Grenham had an impact on the balance of power in the seas around the world. The convincing triumph of the rowing Russian fleet over the sailing ships of Sweden became an obvious evidence of the naval art of Russian admirals. The Swedish navy suffered significant losses and seriously lost its positions in the B altic and North Seas. This battle strengthened the prestige of Russians in European politics, and Russia began to be treated as a serious player on the world stage. The results of the battle prompted England and its allies to conclude the Treaty of Nystadt with Russia.
Memory of the battle
For military merit, Peter the 1st ordered to knock out a special medal intended for all participants in the sea battle. The obverse of the medal was decorated with the profile of Peter the Great, the reverse had the inscription “Diligence and fidelity. Strongly superior.”
It was noted below: July 27, 1720 - the day the Battle of Grenham took place. The date of this naval duel is well known to military historians who study the victories and defeats of the Russian fleet. And General Golitsyn received a sword from the Russian emperor, decorated with the inscription "For a good team."
Church of St. Panteleimon
A worthy triumph over a serious opponent was celebrated in the most appropriate way. Coincidentally, two significant victories of the Russian fleet in Grenham andThe Gangut battles were won in different years, but had the same date - July 27. This day in Orthodoxy is dedicated to the memory of St. Panteleimon. Therefore, it was decided to build a chapel dedicated to this saint in St. Petersburg. In 1722, a solemn consecration of a small church took place, which replaced the chapel.
Much later, it was decided to radically restore the church and dedicate it to the sailors who died in the B altic Sea. This decision came true many years later. Only in 1914, with a large crowd of people and in the presence of members of the royal family, the grand opening of the Panteleimon Church took place. Thanks to the initiative of the Russian Military Historical Society, the restored church was decorated with marble plaques listing all the regiments that took part in naval battles in the early 18th century.
