Stepan Lesovskiy Russian naval commander, admiral. Date of Birth: 01.01.1817 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Naval Career
2. Round-the-World Voyage and Crimean War
3. Return and Promotion
4. Naval Command
5. Higher Ranks and Responsibilities
6. Minister of the Navy
7. Later Years and Death
8. Personal Life

Early Life and Naval Career

Stepan Stepanovich Lesovsky was born in Réthete, France, in 1817, to a noble family and a distant descendant of Peter Shafirov. His father, a commander in the Kinburn Dragoon Regiment, served in France. Lesovsky joined the Naval Cadet Corps in 1835 and graduated from Officer Classes with an appointment to the Black Sea Fleet. He served as commander of the brig "Jason" and the frigate "Kulevchi."

Round-the-World Voyage and Crimean War

In 1835, Lesovsky became captain-lieutenant of the 52-gun frigate "Diana." From 1853 to 1856, he embarked on a round-the-world voyage, sailing around Cape Horn, reaching the Far East, and placing himself at the disposal of Evfimy Putyatin's diplomatic mission. During the voyage, the "Diana" was wrecked in an earthquake in Simoda Bay, Japan. Lesovsky returned to Petropavlovsk on a foreign schooner and later to the Amur River estuary. In 1855, he established a battery at Cape Lazarev and commanded the combined crew and coastal batteries at Nikolaevsk-on-Amur.

Return and Promotion

In 1856, Lesovsky returned to Saint Petersburg via Siberia and was promoted to captain of the 2nd rank. He received the rank of captain of the 1st rank and a transfer to the merchant marine. From 1857 to 1858, he served in the Russian Society of Shipping and Trade (ROPiT).

Naval Command

In 1858, Lesovsky became Chief of the Port of Kronstadt. From 1861 to 1862, he observed the construction of ships for Russia in North America. He was awarded the rank of rear admiral for his services and was attached to the Imperial suite. From 1863 to 1864, he commanded a squadron of six ships sent to New York to prevent British and French intervention in the American Civil War.

Higher Ranks and Responsibilities

In 1864, Lesovsky became Chief Commander of the Kronstadt Port and acting military governor of Kronstadt. From 1864 to 1865, he commanded a squadron in the Mediterranean Sea. From 1866 to 1871, he served as Chief Commander of Kronstadt Port and military governor of Kronstadt. He was appointed general-adjutant in 1869 and vice admiral in 1871.

Minister of the Navy

From 1871 to 1876, Lesovsky was Deputy to the Minister of the Navy. In 1876, he became Minister of the Navy, a position he held until 1880 when he resigned due to misunderstandings with China and took command of the Pacific squadron.

Later Years and Death

In 1880, Lesovsky became a member of the State Council. From 1880 to 1884, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Ocean Naval Forces. He was promoted to full admiral in 1881 and chaired the Commission for the Revision of the Naval Code from 1882 to 1884. Lesovsky died in 1884, a month after retiring due to health reasons.

Personal Life

Lesovsky married twice, first to Sofia Alexandrovna (who died in 1873) and then to Ekaterina Vladimirovna Vestman (born 1851). He had no children.