Svyatoy Mikhail (32)
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Origin and History
The frigate was built by I. V. James (И. В. Ямес) at the Solombalskaya dockyard in Archangelsk. She was built 1' 6" wider than previous frigates to make it easier to pass a shallow bank in the harbour of Arkhangelsk. The keel was laid down on May 5 1757 (April 24 old style, abbreviated O.S. in this article). The frigate was launched on May 31 1758 (May 20 O.S.). Because of her increased width, she was slower than other frigates of the Russian Navy (except the Kreiser (32) who was as slow for an unknown reason).
During the Seven Years' War, the frigate was under the command of:
- in 1758: Captain I. Michurin (И. Мичурин)
- from 1759 to 1761: Captain M. Kireevskiy (М. Киреевский)
- in 1762: Captain F. Koslivtsev (Ф. Косливцев)
The frigate was broken up in Kronshtadt in 1771.
Service during the War
From July to October 1758, the frigate made her first journey from Archangelsk to Revel.
From May to September 1759, the frigate was part of squadron who cruised near the Prussian coasts.
From July to September 1760, the frigate was part of a squadron which established a blockade during the Siege of Colberg. On August 28 (August 17 O.S.), she took part in the bombardment of the fortress.
From June to August 1761, the frigate was part of squadron who transported troops to the Pomeranian Coast and blockaded Colberg. From August 25 to August 28 (from August 14 to August 17 O.S.), she took part in the bombardment of the fortress.
From May to August 1762, the frigate was part of a squadron, under the command of Counter-Admiral G. A.Spiridov (Г. А. Спиридов), who sailed to Colberg and then cruised near the Prussian coasts.
Characteristics
The design of most Russian frigates of this period still adhered tightly to the Shipbuilding Regulations issued by Peter the Great in 1723.
| Guns | 32
| ||||
| Crew | 200 men | ||||
| Length at keel | 28.80 m (94' 6") | ||||
| Length at gun deck | 35.97 m (118') | ||||
| Width | 10.06 m (33') | ||||
| Depth in Hold | 4.27 m (14') | ||||
| Displacement | no information found yet |
References
Main Sources
Ministry of the Sea - Material for the History of the Russian Navy, vol 10, St. Petersburg, 1883 in a collection of 17 volumes published from 1865 to 1904
Veselago, Fedosey Fedorovich: List of Russian Naval Vessels from 1668 to 1869, St. Petersburg: Ministry of the Sea, 1872
Other Sources
Chernyshev, A. A.: Russian Sailing Fleet, Vol.1, 1997
Shirokorad, A. B.: 200 лет парусного флота (200 Years of Sailing Fleet)
Acknowledgement
Roman Shlygin for the initial version of this article
