Dmitry Senyavin
| Dmitry Nikolayevich Senyavin | |
|---|---|
Dmitry Senyavin
|
|
| Born |
17 August 1763 Borovsk, Kaluga Oblast |
| Died | 17 April 1831 (aged 67) Saint Petersburg |
| Allegiance |
 Russian Empire
|
| Service/branch |
 Imperial Russian Navy
|
| Years of service | 1777–1813 1825–1830 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Baltic Fleet |
| Battles/wars |
Napoleonic Wars Russo-Turkish War (1806–12) Battle of Navarino |
| Awards | Order of St. George 4th Class |
Dmitry Nikolayevich Senyavin or Seniavin (17 August [O.S. 6 August] 1763 – 17 April [O.S. 5 April] 1831) was a Russian admiral who ranks among the greatest seamen of the Napoleonic Wars.
Born in a family estate near Borovsk, Senyavin belonged to a notable noble family of sea captains from the Kaluga Governorate, all of whom, starting with his great uncle, served in the Imperial Russian Navy. Having graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps in 1780, he took part in an expedition to Portugal, then joined the Black Sea Fleet upon its formation in 1783 and helped construct the naval base in Sevastopol. In 1786, he commanded a packetboat while at the fleet. Family interests gained him rapid promotion, especially after his resolute actions had prevented a flagship from capsizing during the Varna expedition and Prince Potemkin had entrusted him with a vital task of transporting diplomatic mail to the Russian embassy in Constantinople.
During the Russo-Turkish War, Senyavin was present at Fidonisi and Ochakov and went to Saint Petersburg to inform the Empress about the former victory. He was promoted to adjudant general in 1788. Although he distinguished himself in command of the battleship Navarchia during the Battle of Caliacria, he had no patience with Ushakov's cautious and cunctatory approach and paid little attention to his authority, which resulted in his confinement to a guardhouse and the threat of his reduction in rank. At last Potemkin effected a reconciliation between Senyavin and his peer, remarking in his letter to Ushakov that Senyavin could become the greatest admiral that Russia had ever known.
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