Vasili Fersen
| Baron Hans William (Vasili) von Fersen | |
|---|---|
Vasili Fersen
|
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| Born | May 14, 1858 |
| Died | May 6, 1937 (aged 78) Koze, Estonia |
| Allegiance |
 Russian Empire
|
| Service/branch |
 Imperial Russian Navy
|
| Years of service | 1876-1917 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Battles/wars | awardslaterwork= |
Baron Hans William (Vasili) von Fersen (Russian: Ганс Вильям (Василий) Николаевич Ферзен) (May 14, 1858 – May 6, 1937) was an admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy. Born in the Governorate of Estonia as Baron Hans William von Fersen, he was of Scottish ancestry, his forebears name being from clan McPherson.
Fersen graduated from the Sea Cadet Corps in 1875 and joined the Imperial Russian Navy in 1876. In 1878-80 he served aboard the cruiser Asia with the Russian Pacific Fleet, transferring to the cruiser Afrika from 1880-1883. On July 10, 1883 he was posted to Kronstadt. He was promoted to lieutenant on January 1, 1885, and served aboard the gunboat Bobr as officer of the watch later that year. He remained on the Bobr on its long distance navigational training voyage to the Far East from 1886-1888.
From 1889-90 Fersen attended the Russian navy mine warfare school and served in staff posts in the Russian Baltic Fleet from 1890 to 1896. In 1896 he commanded the destroyer Vzryv. In 1897-99 he was senior officer aboard the cruiser Afrika. On April 28, 1899 he was promoted to Captain 2nd Rank and served as naval attaché to the United States from September 1899 to 1902.
On October 7, 1902 Fersen was appointed to command the cruiser Izumrud under the Second Pacific Squadron based at Vladivostok. During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, he fought at the Battle of Tsushima. At the end of the battle, he refused to obey the order of Admiral Nikolai Nebogatov to surrender and broke through the Japanese blockade. The ship was however wrecked in the Gulf of Vladimir in the Russian Maritime Province. He received no punishment for his insubordination, and instead was promoted to Captain 1st Rank in 1905.
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