Apraksin, Fyodor Matveevich (1661–1728)

Apraksin, Fyodor Matveevich (1661–1728) – a Russian general admiral (1708), supporter of Peter the Great, and one of the Russian Fleet founders. In 1693–1696, he was a military governor of Dvina and governor of Arkhangelsk, where he aligned the old wharf and established a new one. He was appointed by Peter the Great to control construction of the frigate Svyatoi Pavel at the Solombal wharf. From 1700, he constructed ships in Azov and became the President of the Admiralty, responsible for the Fleet construction, armament, and provision. From 1707, A. took part in establishing the Baltic Fleet, controlled operations in the Great Northern War, and won several battles over Swedish Army; under his command forces occupied Vyborg in Karelia (1710). In 1711–1723, he was a governor of Estlandia, Ingermanland, and Karelia. In 1714 A. became the commander of the galley flotilla, which won the Battle of Gangut in July 1714 – the first great victory in the history of the Russian Fleet. In 1718 he...