Russian naval leader Stepan Osipovich Makarov was an outstanding oceanographer, shipbuilder, polar explorer and vice admiral. The pioneer in the use of icebreakers invented mine transport, developed the theory of unsinkability. He created the Russian semaphore alphabet.
The future admiral was born in 1848, on January 8, in the family of a captain in Nikolaevsk-on-Amur in the family of a captain. The boy studied in his hometown. Stepan received his education at the Naval School. After completing his studies in 1865, the young man became an officer in the corps of naval navigators.
Formation time
Since August, the graduate was assigned to the Varyag corvette. The young navigator has established himself as an inquisitive and talented researcher and an excellent specialist. At the end of autumn 1866 Makarov was transferred to the flagship corvette "Askold", making the transition to the Baltic at the Cape of Good Hope.
Stepan Osipovich in 1867 was promoted to midshipmen, enrolling as a pupil in the Naval Cadet Corps. After a couple of years of training voyages, the young officer received the rank of midshipman. In 1867, the first research paper was published, entitled Atkins' Instrument for Determining Deviation at Sea.
Stepan Osipovich began to study unsinkability in 1869 in his first voyage as an officer on the armored boat "Rusalka". The emergency situation became the reason for the urgent start of the most important work. The ship only miraculously did not sink. Makarov proposed the introduction of an innovative idea. He advocated the installation of watertight compartments and main pipelines with powerful pumps on the ship.
To eliminate the holes, he decided to use special plasters. The future famous figure returned to an important topic more than once. Several papers have been published by Makarov on the chosen problem. Under his command, the steamer "Grand Duke Constantine" was re-equipped according to the project of a young officer. The vessel was used as a base for mine boats launched into the water.
During the Russian-Turkish battle, Stepan Osipovich, with their active assistance, carried out several very successful attacks. In late 1877 and early 1878, with the direct participation of Makarov, self-propelled torpedo mines were used for the first time in Batumi.
Scientific and military activities
In the Akhal-Teke expedition, Stepan Osipovich began organizing the supply of Krasnozavodsk from Astrakhan by water. The brilliant organizer commanded the steamship "Taman", commanded the frigate "Prince Pozharsky", was the captain of the corvette "Vityaz", on which he sailed around the world. Makarov was also engaged in oceanic research.
He was awarded for his contribution to science the Small Gold Medal from the Russian Geographical Society in 1880. The vice-admiral received the same award again fifteen years later. In 1890 the officer received the rank of rear admiral. He was assigned to the Baltic Fleet as a junior flagship. From 1891 to 1894 he was the chief inspector of naval artillery. The inventor constructed one of the first bottles. The scientist was engaged in hardware research.
Makarov insisted on separating unsinkability into a separate discipline. Stepan Osipovich developed and implemented the author's tips for armor-piercing shells to increase the effectiveness of shooting. From 1894 Stepan Osipovich was the junior flagship of the Baltic Practical Squadron. He was awarded the title of commander of the Mediterranean squadron. Before the outbreak of the war with Japan in 1895, all ships were successfully transferred to the Far East.
The commander initiated the use of icebreaking ships for the development of the Northern Sea Route. Makarov headed the commission for drawing up the terms of reference for the construction of the icebreaking ship "Ermak". In 1901, under the command of a new transport, Stepan Osipovich made an expedition to Franz Josef Land. From the end of 1899 to February 1904, the military leader commanded the port in Kronstadt and was the governor.
A few days before the start of the war with Japan, he drew up a note warning of the inevitability of hostilities. The officer also mentioned the shortcomings of the anti-torpedo defense in the document. The adversary used this gap in the attack on January 26, 1904.
Family life
With the outbreak of hostilities, Makarov was appointed to command the Pacific squadron during the defense of Port Arthur. The scientist and military leader died on the battleship "Petropavlovsk" on March 31 (April 13) 1904.
In 1879 Kapitolina Yakimovskaya became the wife of the famous figure. The first child, daughter Olga, was born in the family in 1882. Four years later, Alexandra appeared.
The only son of Admiral Vadim was born in 1891. He graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps. After moving to the United States, Vadim Stepanovich was engaged in the development of naval weapons systems in New York. His business has been very successful. Makarov founded the Society of Russian Naval Officers in America. The dynasty was continued by the admiral's grandson and great-grandson.
Cities, streets, several naval universities are named after the famous explorer and military leader. In the early summer of 1913, a monument to Stepan Osipovich was unveiled in Kronstadt. The name "Admiral Makarov" was carried at different times by several ships.
In 1912, the icebreaker Lieutenant Schmidt was renamed in his honor. In 1984, a documentary was filmed about an outstanding figure and scientist. Every year on January 7, events are held in the Pacific Fleet in memory of the admiral.
In 2017, a bust of the hero and scientist was installed near the entrance to the Nakhimov Naval School in Murmansk.
