The Russian navy in 1869 according to Hans Busk

“Let us commence with that of Russia, whose whole Marine is at present so entirely under process of reconstruction, that no very accurate estimate can be given of its eventual strength. Before the late war she possessed two squadrons of about equal power, one stationed in the Black Sea, the other in the Baltic. Each carried about 20,000 seamen, and about half that number of marines and marine artillery men, and the aggregate number of guns was between 8000 and 9000. These two fleets comprised respectively about 25 ships of the line, 18 frigates, 40 corvettes and smaller vessels, and about 20 to 23 steamers. At the northern ports, in addition to the above proportion of ships, there were about 250 gun-boats. Of this large array of ships in the Baltic, not more than 16 or 18 ships of the line, 10 frigates, and as many corvettes, besides half the number of steamers enumerated, were in a fit condition to put to sea. An official list, indeed, dated 1853, shows the available strength of the Black Sea fleet at that time to have been composed as follows: 5 line-of-battle ships, each carrying 120 guns, 13 line-of-battle ships, each carrying 80 guns, 7 line-of-battle ships, each carrying 54 guns, 3 line-of-battle ships, each carrying from 40 to 80 guns, 25 brigs, corvettes, &c., amounting together to 170 guns and 2 steam corvettes, each of 6 guns. But of these, probably the majority would, by an English surveyor, have been condemned as nearly worthless for war purposes. Russian ships are for the most part constructed of fir, the worst material that could be selected, both as regards durability and its liability to splinter in action. The workmanship is usually very bad. A remarkable example of this was afforded very recently by a new first-rate line-of-battle ship, the Ccesarewitch, on her way from the Dnieper to the North, putting into Malta for repairs, almost in a sinking condition, frapped round and round her hull with cables and hawsers, and yet leaking so fast, that her crew were well nigh exhausted with their exertions in keeping her afloat. Great activity is now prevalent at all the Russian dockyards, and the most strenuous efforts are being made to repair the loss of the fleet sunk in the harbour of Sebastopol. In 1854, Russia could only muster about 2 or 3 screw steamers. Since 1857 several have been commenced. The Baltic fleet is rapidly receiving reinforcements; and in the course of last year the squadron in the Amour alone was augmented by the addition of 10 vessels of various sizes, all built either in that or the preceding year. The naval staff, exclusive of the Emperor's personal suite (comprising 2 rear-admirals, 2 wing-adjutants, and 3 captain-lieutenants), consists of a chief and a deputy, a master of ordnance of the reserve artillery, an inspector of the naval architects, a chief of the marine chancery, 2 adjutants-general, and 4 vice-admirals. The Ministry of Marine includes a council of 10 admirals, a president, and 10 clerks. To this department also belong a vice-admiral and 6 officer-inspectors; a lieutenant-general at the head of the hydrographical department, a medical director-general, and an auditor general. Besides the above, there is the engineering department, to which the superintendence of naval fortresses is committed ; the marine training department, under the charge of an admiral; the marine intendancy, under that of a lieutenant-general; the marine commissariat; the shipbuilding, timber, and marine artillery departments. The personnel of the Russian Navy includes 16 admirals. 30 vice-admirals, 89 rear admirals, 111 first-class captains, 95 second-class captains, 257 lieutenant-captains, 607 lieutenants and 396 midshipmen. The corps of Marine Artillery comprises 281 officers. Besides which there are the companies embarked on board the Baltic squadron and that of the Caspian, 7 companies pertaining to the arsenal and 2 to the laboratory, under the supervision of 131 officers.”

Source

Hans Busk. The Navies of the World. London, 1859, p. 100-103. Digitized by Google.