Pavel Nakhimov

Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov was a Russian admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy. He is best known for his triumph at the Battle of Sinop and his role in the Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War. Born into a noble family in the village of Gorodok in the Smolensk Governorate, he was the seventh of eleven children. Only he and four of his brothers survived infancy, and all five became professional seamen, including his brother Sergei, who later became a vice admiral.

Nakhimov began his naval education in 1817 at the Naval Academy for the Nobility in Saint Petersburg. That same year, he made his first sea voyage on the frigate *Feniks* to Sweden and Denmark. He was soon promoted to non-commissioned officer and, in February 1818, passed exams to become a midshipman, joining the Baltic Fleet. His early career involved voyages in the Baltic Sea and a trip from Arkhangelsk to Kronstadt. His big opportunity came in March 1822 when he was assigned to the frigate *Kreiser* for a round-the-globe expedition led by explorer Mikhail Lazarev. During this three-year voyage, Nakhimov was promoted to lieutenant and received the Order of Saint Vladimir IV degree. He then served on the 74-gun warship *Azov*, which sailed to the Mediterranean in 1827 as part of a joint British-French-Russian fleet against the Ottomans. At the Battle of Navarino that October, the *Azov* distinguished itself, and Nakhimov, praised for his gunnery, was promoted to captain of a captured ship and decorated by allied governments. Early in his career, he faced criticism for brutality toward sailors, though this did not harm his later reputation as a popular commander.

During the Crimean War, Nakhimov led a Russian squadron in the Black Sea. On November 30, 1853, he entered the bay at Sinop with six battleships, two frigates, and three steamers, outgunning the Ottoman fleet under Admiral Osman Pasha. After the Ottomans refused to surrender, battle erupted. The Ottoman ships initially held their own, but Russian firepower soon overwhelmed them. Within hours, the Ottoman fleet was ablaze. Only the frigate *Taif* escaped to Istanbul, bringing news of the defeat. All other Ottoman ships were devastated, with heavy Ottoman casualties, though exact numbers are disputed. Russian losses were 33–36 sailors and one officer. Admiral Osman was wounded and captured, remaining a prisoner until 1855. Nakhimov continued firing even after most Ottoman ships were burning, which set parts of the city alight and caused its Muslim population to flee. He was criticized for attacking civilians and later tried to explain his actions.

After Sinop, Nakhimov became a leader in the defense of Sevastopol against British, French, and Ottoman forces. During the siege, a sniper wounded him, and he died a few days later. Following his death, he became a hero in Russia. Medals and ships were named after him, especially during Soviet times, beginning under Stalin. A Soviet film, *Admiral Nakhimov*, was made about his life in 1947.