Disgraced officer, friend of the emperor and rival of Kutuzov: How one mistake crossed out the life of Admiral Pavel Chichagov

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Pavel Vasilyevich Chichagov was lucky and unlucky at the same time. His father - a renowned admiral - had great influence in the highest circles of society. But he helped his son, who also decided to become a naval commander, only at the beginning of the journey. Chichagov Jr. went his own way, relying only on himself. The war with Napoleon was supposed to be the "finest hour" of Pavel Vasilyevich, but it became his main failure.

In the shadow of the father

Vasily Yakovlevich Chichagov achieved a lot in his life. A hereditary nobleman, he made a dizzying career in the maritime business. And he created the Chichagov family with a representative of a noble family from Saxony. In 1767, Vasily Yakovlevich's son Pavel was born. The boy's childhood was spent in Kronstadt, where his father was transferred from St. Petersburg.

The return of the Chichagov family to the capital happened nine years later. Pavel began to study at the Petrishule school, which at that time was considered one of the best in the entire Russian Empire. Having received an excellent education, Chichagov Jr. in 1779 became a guard sergeant, and a few years later - a lieutenant. He connected his future only with the sea, dreaming of following in his father's footsteps. And soon the dream began to take on real features. Vasily Yakovlevich led the squadron, which had to go to the Italian city of Livorno. Paul begged his father to take him with him as an adjutant. So the career of the young Chichagov started.

Pavel Vasilyevich visited the Bornholm island in the Baltic Sea. True, then he was subordinate to Rear Admiral Kozlyaninov. And Chichagov wanted to concentrate power in his hands. And in 1788 he achieved his goal. Together with the rank of captain of the second rank, Pavel received a ship called "Rostislav" at his disposal. At first, Chichagov's service did not represent anything interesting - only campaigns in the Baltic Sea. But everything changed with the outbreak of the war with the Swedes. The Russian fleet was headed by Vasily Yakovlevich, and Pavel had a chance to take part in the battle with the enemy in the battle of Öland. The battle was protracted, the admirals did not want to risk it again. And yet Vasily Yakovlevich won the chess match on the water. As for the Swedes, they finally understood that they would not be able to defeat the Russians. In the Battle of Eland, Pavel Vasilyevich did not manage to show himself in any way, which is not surprising, given the scenario in which it developed.

The time of Chichagov Jr. came a little later. Pavel Vasilievich was awarded the Order of St. George of the fourth degree for successful actions during the Revel naval battle. Then he had a golden sword with the inscription: "For courage." Its captain has already received for the Vyborg battle. Thanks to his impressive success, Pavel Vasilyevich has moved up the career ladder. He became a captain of the first rank. Naturally, not without spiteful critics. The envious in all of Paul's successes saw the "hand of his father", which, in their opinion, contributed to the rapid takeoff of the young captain. In fact, none of this happened. Vasily Yakovlevich did not meddle in the affairs of his son, because he understood that he could cope without him.

Chichagov Jr. showed himself well not only in military activities, but also in administrative ones. He, seeing the fleet from the inside, could not help but notice the numerous problems that needed to be urgently eliminated. But Pavel Vasilyevich lacked skills and education, so he decided to go abroad. But it was not so easy for the captain to leave the borders of the Russian Empire, the permission of the empress was required. And Chichagov got it.

Soon he arrived in London with his brother Peter. After studying at a local maritime school, the Chichagovs decided to go overseas to continue to comprehend the wisdom of shipbuilding. But their venture was not destined to come true. The ship gave a leak and returned to port. And the brothers had no choice but to pack their bags and get ready for home.

In 1794, Chichagov Jr. was transferred from his father's flotilla to a squadron commanded by Vice Admiral Khanykov. Pavel Vasilievich took over the ship "Retvizan" and soon set off for England. The return to the shores of foggy Albion turned out to be fateful for the captain. He met Elizabeth Proby and decided to marry her.

And again the wall is on the way …

The end of 1796 became very alarming for Chichagov. Although, at first nothing foreshadowed trouble. Pavel Vasilievich rose to the rank of brigadier of the fleet and enjoyed the favor of Empress Catherine II. But suddenly, the empress died, and her son, Paul I, took the throne. Chichagov's relationship with the new monarch did not work out. This is due to the numerous enemies that Pavel Vasilyevich has "grown" over the years of service. Some simply hated him, believing that he was advancing with the help of his father. Others frankly envied the talent and intelligence of the naval commander. And if under Catherine they, in fact, could not do anything, then under the new monarch (very impressionable) their time has come. Among the opponents of Chichagov, three figures stood apart who received the powerful support of Paul I, namely: the official and state leader Nikolai Mordvinov, Count Grigory Kushelev (he concentrated the command of the entire fleet of the empire in his hands) and Alexander Shishkov (the minister of public education).

The first clash between Chichagov and the emperor took place the following year. Pavel Vasilievich took part in naval maneuvers and completed all the tasks without error. But the sovereign did not raise him in rank, confining himself to the Order of St. Anna of the third degree. Pavel Vasilyevich was very offended. So much that, to the delight of the spiteful critics, he resigned. She, of course, was immediately accepted.

Pavel Vasilyevich left the capital and moved to the family estate. In the "wilderness" he began to establish his own order and tried to somehow make life easier for the peasants. But he did not succeed in completing what he had begun to the end. He received a message from an English bride. The girl said that her father was dead. Chichagov, since he was noble and honest, decided to immediately go to Elizabeth to formalize their relationship. But despite his resignation, Pavel Vasilyevich could not leave the country just like that, it was necessary to obtain the permission of the sovereign. Chichagov sent a request with a heavy heart. He understood perfectly well that he had few chances. And I was not mistaken. Emperor Paul refused, explaining his decision by the fact that, they say, there are enough beautiful girls in Russia. In fact, the sovereign succumbed to the influence of Chichagov's enemies. They convinced the emperor that Pavel Vasilyevich wanted to obtain British citizenship through his marriage to Elizabeth.

Further events in Chichagov's life were more like a nightmare than reality. At first, the sovereign deigned to return him to the service and awarded the title of Rear Admiral. Pavel Vasilievich received a squadron, which was to fight Dutch ships near England. But … the emperor (with the filing of "virtue" Kushelev) decided that Chichagov would definitely go over to the side of the British. Emperor Paul I was truly an amazing person. He combined in himself an intelligent reformer, a far-sighted politician, and a man who succumbed to the opinion of others. As a result, a huge scandal ensued. The sovereign accused Chichagov of high treason and ordered him to be sent to the Peter and Paul Fortress. Pavel Vasilyevich tried to justify himself, but it only turned out worse. He was arrested and immediately dismissed from the service.

Vasily Yakovlevich could no longer help, since by that time he had already left the service. But nevertheless, Chichagov found a defender - Peter Alekseevich von der Palen (a man who, a few years later, would become one of the leaders of the conspiracy against the sovereign). The Governor-General could not stand the sovereign, so he considered it his duty to save the disgraced naval officer.

Chichagov was released, reinstated and allowed to marry Elizabeth. But it is too early to put an end to the history of Pavel Vasilyevich. The main blow was waiting for him ahead.

Friendly order of Alexander I

As you know, the reign of Paul I ended in 1801. This was facilitated by a group of conspirators, which freed the throne for Alexander I. Chichagov's career rushed up sharply. Taking the place of Minister of Naval Forces, he began to carry out all kinds of reforms. Understandably, the novelty frightened many, they did not understand it. The conservatives were especially angry that Chichagov relied on the experience of the British in his fleet modernization. Another important task of Pavel Vasilyevich was the fight against corruption on the ground.

In 1807 Chichagov became an admiral. He carried on personal correspondence with Alexander I and, as they say, looked with confidence in the future.

But nevertheless, constant pressure from outside affected Chichagov's health. And he decided to retire. The Emperor reluctantly agreed. True, Alexander appointed Pavel Vasilyevich as his adviser.

Friendship with the emperor played a cruel joke with Chichagov. During the war with Napoleon, Alexander I decided that the admiral would better cope with the role of the savior of the Fatherland than Mikhail Kutuzov. So Pavel Vasilyevich stood at the head of the Danube Army and the Black Sea Fleet. "Bonus" was the post of Governor-General of Moldova and Wallachia.

Naturally, Chichagov's appointment was received with surprise. The commanders wondered why the land army was now commanded by an admiral? But no one asked unnecessary questions, of course. Realizing that he would not be able to cope alone, Pavel Vasilievich brought Karl Osipovich Lambert closer to him, a dashing cavalry commander whom the admiral fully trusted. Perhaps the idea of Alexander I would have worked, if not for one "but". In the battle at Borisov, Lambert was seriously wounded. Chichagov was left alone with the French commanders.

The battle near the Berezina River, which was supposed to be the moment of Chichagov's triumph, turned into a complete disaster. Without Lambert, the admiral lost outright. The failed decisions of Pavel Vasilyevich cost the Russian army dearly. But they were appreciated by Napoleon, who (he himself did not expect such a generous gift) calmly crossed the river, and even managed to enrich himself at the expense of Russian convoys.

Chichagov turned into an outcast. He was ridiculed by everyone, from ordinary people to officials. Even the fabulist Krylov did not stand aside, giving out "Pike and Cat". Pavel Vasilyevich left the service, and then Russia. He lived in Italy and France. At the end of his life, the former admiral took English citizenship, however, he lived with his daughter in Paris. In the capital of France, he died in 1849.