Monument to the scuttled ships in Sevastopol was built more than a century ago in honor of the events that took place in the middle of the XIX century.Despite the remoteness of the events, the history of the appearance of the monument and the monument outlines familiar not only to the city but also to anyone who has ever been here.
emblem of the city
Sevastopol bay and navy - are inseparable concepts.City throughout its history has proved loyalty, devotion and love of the sea and ships.But once the sailors had to sacrifice the most expensive they had.For the sake of the city destroyed military ships that were deliberately shot by their own guns and flooded in the wake of the bay, thus creating an obstacle in the path of enemy ships.
city was saved.In honor of this event, the residents erected a monument.Since then, a monument to the flooded ships became the original card of Sevastopol.During Soviet times, the image of the monument was the emblem of the city.In 2000, it appeared on the flag of Sevastopol.
All important dates for the city marked by different events, including the release of postage stamps, commemorative signs, which show the historical sites of the city.Sunken Ships Monument is an indispensable element of all such compositions.
It was decided to establish a monument
In 1905 all Russia celebrated the 50th anniversary of the momentous historical event, when the Crimean War was withheld Sevastopol.Sunken Ships Monument, photos of which are presented in the article, is a testament to the respect the brave defenders of the city, as well as a special sign of honor Russian fleet.This important date in the history of Russia and the monument was erected.
It should be noted that the idea of creating such a monument appeared much earlier.More to the 20th anniversary of the defense of Sevastopol, the participants proposed to commemorate the feat accomplished by Russian sailors.Bay of sunken ships in the project of the monument to Academician Mikeshina occupy the main position.But later it was decided to erect monuments in different parts of the city, where he was fierce fighting for his freedom, and the idea of a grandiose monument to the memory of the sunken Navy has for several years been forgotten.
Only in 1899, when Russia began to prepare for the celebration of half a century of the date of the defense of Sevastopol, she was re-examined.By 1901 there were two main projects of the monument, but on further consideration and approval was sent to only one of them.The monument, made by the project, and to this day reminds the descendants of the former glory of Russian sailors.
historical events preceding the installation of the monument
While conducting the Crimean War Sevastopol had more than once to defend themselves against a strong opponent.The defenders were going to make any sacrifice, so that the city has always been free.
to save the city from the enemy invasion from the sea, it was decided to block the path of warships.To this end, the sailors sank in the wake of first seven of failed sailboats.After severe storms that raged at sea and in the bay of autumn and winter 1854, obstruction of sailing it had to be strengthened again.To do this, here it was later flooded three more merchant vessel.Ten sunken sailboats were the first line of defense.
In February 1855 a decision was made about the sinking of six more ships, which created a second line of defense.In August of the same year it was flooded other vessels of the fleet.According to the historians, all at the bottom of the bay was sent 75 warships and 16 support.The crews of the warships were sent to the land, and there continued the heroic service of the city and the Fatherland.Barriers by sailors often got the names of their wrecks.
city was inaccessible to the enemy.Saving role played as enhanced fire from the shoreline of the bay, and sunken ships.In Sevastopol has always been that in those hard times in the defense of the city took part not only people, but even ships of the fleet.Through the joint efforts of the enemy managed to stop just before the entrance to Sevastopol.
deciding to sinking ships
Historians today do not give a clear answer when it comes to the right decision.At the initiators of the decision on the sinking of the ships were ardent opponents, who believe that we need to bring the fleet into the open sea, take the fight there and win it or perish.
The real situation was such that a victory in open battle is unlikely.The enemy is much superior to the Russian fleet in number of vessels and their equipment, technical excellence.
After much controversy and painful reflection was made a difficult decision about the sinking of the fleet.Time has shown that the sacrifice was not in vain - Sevastopol was not occupied by the enemy.The heroic deed of the Russian sailors was highly appreciated by the command of the Anglo-Franco-Turkish fleet.It was noted that if not for this extraordinary decision, the well-prepared enemy army would not be difficult to win over the Russian.
creators
Monument Monument to the scuttled ships in Sevastopol, in the version that we see today was created by sculptor Amanda Ivanovich Adamson, architect Valentin Avgustovich Feldman and engineer Oskar Ivanovich Enberg.These people are considered to be the main sponsors of the monument.
OI Enberg suggested the idea of erecting a monument is not on land and in the sea that is original and unexpected decision.It was welcomed by several co-authors of the project, as well as the highest personages at Court.
VA Feldman as a result of work on the comments received from the members of the special commission, replaced the square tower on the round and offered to install it on an artificial rock protruding from the sea.AI Adamson was recruited to work on the monument is already in the final stage of its construction.As a recognized master of monumental art, he made an invaluable contribution to the process of creating the monument.
In addition, it should be noted that the entire creative team that created the monument to the scuttled ships in Sevastopol, consisted of a large number of talented artists, sculptors, engineers, and ordinary people who performed the recognized masters of creative ideas.
name monument
In the entire history of its existence, the monument had 15 different names.Some of them were officially registered, while others were offered by the people and were known as the alternative.
Construction Commission, handed over the monument of the city, called him to act as a monument to the scuttled ships.In 1914 he was issued a historical guide, which describes the entire Crimea.Monument to the scuttled ships already appears in the publication under that name, which is known today.Today it is the name of the monument is the most common and is considered the most appropriate.
How does the composition
from coastal waters off the Primorsky Boulevard at a distance of ten meters from the shore rises artificial granite rock.Its height is 9 meters.It rises an elegant seven-meter column, crowned by Corinthian capitals.Bronze double-headed eagle, mounted on top of the tower, overlooking the sea.He is holding in its beak an anchor and a wreath of laurel and oak leaves, intending to drop them in the water and thus give homage to the lost ships.
on an octagonal pedestal of the monument there is an inscription: "In memory of ships sunk in 1854-1855.barriers to entry to the road. "On the bas-reliefs, facing the waterfront scenes of battle and sinking ships.At the plate, you can view a map of Sevastopol Bay and the line sinking ships.
From the sea to the monument originally was attached bronze mast protruding from the water.Currently, this element of the composition is lost.
flooded ships in Sevastopol are honored and remembered as the real heroes.This fact once again confirms the idea of the existence of an indissoluble fleet and cities.
Firing Wall
place where the monument to the scuttled ships in Sevastopol, can rightly be called historic.In November 1905 here there was another tragic event.On the banks of the wall were shot dead sailors from the cruiser "Ochakov".They were severely punished by the authorities for raising a riot.
Wall, about which there was a massacre of men, near the place where the descendants remember sunken ships.In Crimea, the wall is called the firing.On the sad events, and a commemorative plaque installed anchor here that have been raised with the flooded flotilla.
fate of sunken ships
Flooded fleet did Sevastopol bay unsuitable for navigation.That is why it was decided to clean up the fairway.Work began in 1857.Over the next two years the bulk of the courts has been raised to the surface.Some of them managed to recover, but many went to scrap.The cleaning of the bay from the remains of sunken ships continued for more than a decade.
The composition decorative retaining wall that is located in front of the monument to the scuttled ships, used the old anchors that were raised from the bottom of the bay.Photo flooded ships in Sevastopol are no museums, but there are paintings by Russian and foreign artists, which shows those tragic days.Through these works, you can with a great deal of reliability to reconstruct the history.
Monument and time
rises over a hundred years off the coast of Primorsky Boulevard, a monument to the column.Many ills swept during that time - earthquakes, storms, war.But the monument has stood the test with flying colors.
Sunken Ships Monument, photo and material of which is presented in the article, I was not injured even during the Great Patriotic War, which is a surprising fact.Indeed, in those places where there is a monument, fierce fighting.Monument is easily visible from different viewpoints, as evidenced by numerous photos of the monument.
However, it should be noted that he had repeatedly restored.Special work was carried out in 1951, 1955-1959.In 1989 and 2003 it was also the reconstruction of parts of the monument.
The attractive Sevastopol bay
In peacetime seaside boulevard with a monument to the flooded ships - is one of the busiest places in Sevastopol.Hundreds of tourists and locals come here every day.
Involuntarily the thought creeps in that composition, created in honor of glory and courage of the Russian Navy, has a special magic, able to withstand any enemy, the dark force.Perhaps it is here and attracts hundreds of people.
