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Alexei Naumovich Senyavin | |
|---|---|
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| Native name | Алексей Наумович Сенявин |
| Other name(s) | Sinyavin |
| Born | (1716-10-05)October 5, 1716 |
| Died | August 10, 1797(1797-08-10) (aged 80) St. Petersburg,Saint Petersburg Governorate,Russian Empire |
| Allegiance |  Russian Empire |
| Service |  Imperial Russian Navy |
| Years of service | 1734 to 1788 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Don Military Flotilla, Azov Military Flotilla |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Order of St. Andrew, Order of St. Vladimir, Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, Order of St. Anna |
| Relations | Naum Senyavin (father) Dmitry Senyavin |
Alexei Naumovich Senyavin (also spelledSinyavin;Russian:Алексей Наумович Сенявин; 5 October 1716 – 10 August 1797) was anadmiral of theImperial Russian Navy, son ofNaum Senyavin.
Senyavin began his career in the navy in 1734 as awarrant officer. Serving in theDnieper Flotilla, he took part in theRusso-Turkish War of 1735-1739. In 1739, Alexei Senyavin was transferred to theBaltic Fleet. At the height of theSeven Years' War, Senyavin commanded a battleship duringthe blockade ofKolberg (1760), where he distinguished himself. Alexei Senyavin retired from the navy in 1762 as acaptain, 1st rank.
Senyavin's later career in the navy coincided with the reign ofCatherine the Great. In 1766, he was called out for service yet again and promoted to the rank ofrear admiral two years later. Due toRussia's ongoing preparations for the war against theTurks, the empress entrusted Alexei Senyavin with the construction of different ships at thedockyards along theDon River, which would be able to reach theSea of Azov and theBlack Sea. Thus, Senyavin was made responsible for re-establishing theDon Military Flotilla, which was supposed to interoperate with the Russian ground forces along theCrimean coastline. Senyavin had to come up with a certain type of ships, which could navigate in shallow waters and meet combat requirements, at the same time. Alexei Senyavin managed to build a flotilla by 1771 and then sent it toTaganrog to assist the Russian troops in occupying the Crimea. In 1773, he was put in charge of this flotilla and succeeded in fighting off the Turks at sea, finally blocking their access to the Sea of Azov by capturingYenikale andKerch. In 1774, Senyavin rebuffedthe attack of the Turkish fleet in theStrait of Kerch, making it retire with losses. Owing in large part to the actions of the Don Military Flotilla under Senyavin's command, Russia signed a favourableTreaty of Küçük Kaynarca withTurkey, regainingAzov and Taganrog and gaining Kerch and Yenikale. Thus, Catherine II madePeter the Great's dream a reality – Russia finally got its first direct access to the Black Sea.
For his excellent service and achievements, Alexei Senyavin was first promoted to the rank of vice admiral (1769) and then admiral (1775). He was also awarded theOrder of St. Anna andOrder of St. Alexander Nevsky. In 1788, Alexei Senyavin retired from the navy due to his illness. Upon his recovery in 1794, he was asked to join theAdmiralty Board.
