John Dean
Great Britain- Russian Naval Officer
- Attaining the Rank of Captain-Lieutenant
- Service in Copenhagen and Dismissal
- Defection to Great Britain
- Mission to Kronstadt
- Service with the British Navy
- Retirement and Legacy
Russian Naval Officer
In 1711, Jan Den enlisted in the Russian Imperial Navy. By 1712, he had become a third officer on the 50-gun ship "Pervnov." He received the rank of Captain-Lieutenant in January 1715 and commanded a ship that same year. In 1716, he sailed the 52-gun ship "Arkhangel Yagudiil" from Arkhangelsk to Copenhagen.
Attaining the Rank of Captain-Lieutenant
Jan Den's naval career flourished in 1715 when he was promoted to Captain-Lieutenant. He took command of a ship and skillfully led the 52-gun "Arkhangel Yagudiil" from Arkhangelsk to Copenhagen in 1716.
Service in Copenhagen and Dismissal
In Copenhagen, Den was entrusted with the command of the 32-gun frigate "Samson" in 1716. However, his service came to an end in 1719 when he faced a military court trial. The reasons for his dismissal are uncertain, but he was discharged from the Russian Navy in 1722.
Defection to Great Britain
After leaving Russia, Jan Den made his way to Britain in 1723. He initially served as an advisor on Russian naval matters, providing valuable information to the British government. He also submitted a manuscript entitled "History of the Russian Navy during the Reign of Peter the Great."
Mission to Kronstadt
In 1725, Den returned to Kronstadt, Russia, on a supposed reconnaissance mission. However, his presence aroused suspicion, and he was expelled from the country. Despite his mission failure, he managed to compile a comprehensive report on the state of the Russian Navy.
Service with the British Navy
Jan Den joined the British Navy in 1726, participating in the blockade of Russian ports. His knowledge of the waters in the Gulf of Finland proved invaluable. He even acted as a pilot during the passage south of Kotlin Island. After returning to Britain, he was appointed as Consul at Ostend, Belgium.
Retirement and Legacy
Jan Den retired from the British Navy in 1738 and settled in the village of Wilford in Nottinghamshire. He built two substantial houses and passed away in 1761. His epitaph reads: "Here lies the body of John Deane, Esq., who commanded a Man of War in the service of the Czar of Muscovy 1714-1720; afterwards appointed by his Britannic Majesty Consul to the Ports of Flanders and at Ostend, where he resided many years, and by his Majesty's allowance retired to this village in 1738, and died Aug. 18th, 1761, aged 82."
