The Battle of Grengham: a sea battle that occurred on July 27, 1720 in the Baltic Sea

The Battle of Gringham was one of the most significant sea battles of the early 18th century. This naval battle finally consolidated the reputation of the young Russian Empire as a maritime power. Its importance lay in the fact that the battle at Grenham 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 that case, the way out of the Russian ships to the shores of Northern Europe could be threatened. The combat fleet of the British fleet was located in the Baltic Sea and was ready for joint maneuvers with the sailing fleet of the Kingdom of Sweden. The right place, the right actions and brought victory to Russia, a victory that Peter himself was so proud of.

History students are asked questions about what year the Battle of Grengham was, who was the enemy of Russia, and whether victory was won in this battle. We will try to answer these and other questions in detail.

Prehistory of the battle

The year of the Battle of Grengham was marked by the rapid successes of the young Russian Empire in shipbuilding and maritime navigation. The Russians quickly learned both classical methods of battles of sailing ships, and skills acquired from pirates. These achievements could not but disturb the major maritime powers. The need for any concrete action became apparent after the Gangut battle, in which the Russian fleet defeated the Swedish military detachment. The forces of England and Sweden formed a military alliance, the main purpose of which was to contain Russian naval forces and prevent the domination of the Russian fleet in the Baltic Sea. In order to demonstrate its defense alliance, the united Anglo-Swedish squadron entered the Baltic Sea and began to approach Ravel.

Such maneuvers did not force the Russian tsar to seek ways of reconciliation with a powerful adversary, and the squadron withdrew into the waters of Sweden. When the Russian emperor learned of this retreat, he ordered the transfer of the ships of the Russian fleet from the Aland Islands to Helsingfors. Several flagships were dispatched around the flagships, intended for patrolling 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 return to the old base site - to the coast of the Aland Islands.

Reconnaissance

July 26, 1720, 61 galley and 29 boats of the Russian fleet began to approach the Åland Islands. The fleet was commanded by General MM Golitsyn, the confidant of Peter the Great. In the forefront of the flotilla were small boats designed for reconnaissance. Thanks to this foresight, Golitsyn discovered that a Swedish squadron was waiting for him between the islands of Fritsberg and Lemland.

Enemy

Swedish naval ships were commanded by an experienced naval commander, Admiral K. Schöbland. His squadron included four frigates, one battleship, nine smaller ships and boats and more than a thousand personnel.

In the conditions of a stormy wind and a high wave, the sea battle had to be postponed. The Russian squadron set course for Fr. Grangam to prepare his own position for the impending battle. Thus began the Battle of Grengham.

1720 for the Russian fleet meant experienced commanders, strong ships, the experience of victories already in sea battles. Therefore, when the flagship ship of the enemy went to rapprochement, he was given a worthy rebuff.

Admiral of the Swedish fleet K. Schöbland had 156 guns on board his battle ship, so he did not particularly seek to hide from single shots of Russian cannons. Approaching the right distance, the Swedish ship began massively to shell Russian ships from all available guns.

Preparing for battle

After studying the reconnaissance data, General Golitsyn was preparing a large-scale naval battle. He decided to go out to a small Grantham (Grangam). In this place, according to the pilot maps, the narrowest straits and vast shoals were found. In the event of active hostilities, there was a threat of a blockade of Russian ships by the forces of the Swedish squadron. Golitsyn envisaged options and an unfavorable outcome of the battle, ensuring the retreat of Russian ships to their former positions in the Fliesosund Strait. After securing the withdrawal of Russian ships, General Golitsyn gave the order to start the Battle of Grengham.

Course of battle

July 27, 1720 Swedish squadron, using a tailwind, began to move to the strait, where the ships of the Russian fleet were concentrated.

Golitsyn gave the order to retreat slowly, luring the Swedes into a prepared trap. When the four frigates of the Swedish fleet led by the flagship entered the Fliesosun strait, the Russian squadron took its former positions, barring the Swedes from getting out of the trap. Lightweight rowing boats of the Russian fleet attacked enemy ships from all sides. Trying to escape from boarding attack, Swedish ships began to unfold, but ran aground. Thus, they further complicated the position of their other ships - heavy frigates blocked the way out of the trap and made maneuvers difficult for the rest of the Swedish ships. Fierce boarding battle lasted more than four hours and was crowned with the crushing success of the Russian fleet. Russian sailors managed to capture four Swedish frigates, the remaining ships, led by the flagship, managed to get out of the trap with great losses.

Combat losses

The Battle of Grengham killed 82 Russian sailors, 203 people were wounded. The enemy side lost 103 people killed and 407 wounded. Russian ships received significant damage, but the Swedes permanently lost four of their frigates.

Results of the battle

Despite considerable losses, the Battle of Grengham had an impact on the alignment of forces in the seas around the world. The convincing triumph of the rowing Russian fleet over Swedish sailboats became an obvious evidence of the naval art of the Russian admirals. The Swedish military fleet suffered significant losses and seriously surrendered its positions in the Baltic and North Seas. This battle strengthened the prestige of Russians in European politics, Russia began to be treated as a serious player in the world arena. The results of the battle pushed England and her allies to conclude with the Nystadt peace with Russia .

Memory of the battle

For combat service, Peter the 1st ordered to dislodge a special medal, intended for all participants in the sea battle. The obverse of the medal was decorated with the profile of Peter the 1st, on the reverse there was an inscription "Attachment and fidelity. Surpasses strongly. "

It was noted below: July 27, 1720 - the day when the Battle of Granges took place. The date of this naval duel is well known to military historians studying the victories and defeats of the Russian fleet. And General Golitsyn received a sword from the Russian emperor, adorned with the inscription "For a good team".

Church of St. Panteleimon

A worthy triumph over a serious opponent was marked in the most appropriate way. It coincided that two significant victories of the Russian fleet in the Grengam and Gangut battles were won in different years, but they had the same date - July 27th. 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 devote it to the sailors who died in the Baltic Sea. This decision was realized many years later. Only in 1914, with a large gathering of people and in the presence of members of the royal family, the grand opening of the Panteleimoniv church took place . Thanks to the initiative of the Russian military historical society, the restored church was decorated with marble plaques, on which all the regiments that participated in the sea battles of the early 18th century were listed.