КУЛЬТУРНОЕ НАСЛЕДИЕ КРЫМА: АРТЕФАКТЫ, ДИСКУРСЫ, ОБРАЗЫ / CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE CRIMEA: ARTIFACTS, DISCOURSES, IMAGES / DAS KULTURERBE DER KRIM: DIE ARTEFAKTE, DIE DISKURSE, DIE BILDER

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• 2017. Том 14. Выпуск 1. Крымоведение: пространство и время Крыма / Crimean Regional Studies: Space and Time of Crimea / Krimforschung: Raum und Zeit des Krim

Цитирование по ГОСТ Р 7.0.11—2011:

Вахонеев, В. В. Пароходы XIX в. «Генерал Коцебу» и «Веста»: новейшие подводные открытия у берегов Западного Крыма [Электронный ресурс] / В.В. Вахонеев // Электронное научное издание Альманах Пространство и Время. — 2017. — Т. 14. — Вып. 1: Крымоведение: пространство и время Крыма. — Стационарный сетевой адрес: 2227-9490e-aprovr_e-ast14-1.2017.43.

Vakhoneev V.V.

Nineteenth-century Steamers "General Kotzebue" and "Vesta": The Newest Submarine Discoveries off the Western Crimea Coast

Viktor V. Vakhoneev, Ph.D. (History), Deputy Director for Research at Black Sea Submarine Research Centre, Head of the Nautical Archaeology Department, Simferopol

ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8845-0628 

E-mail: viktor-v-vakhoneev@j-spacetime.com; vvvkerch@mail.ru

The history of sunken ships, their identification and studying circumstances and artifacts of shipwreck is one of the most important and interesting research field of submarine archeology, especially in a place so rich in findings of this kind, like the Crimea.

My article is a brief overview of the history of two steamers owned by Russian Steam Navigation and Trading Company (“General Kotzebue” and “Vesta”) that sank near the western coast of the Crimean Peninsula in the second half of the 19th century and which were found by Crimean submarine archaeologists in recent years. For the theoretical treatment, I used phenomenological and source analysis, hypothetico-deductive фтв narrative methods, as well as methods of archaeological and historical reconstruction, while in the course of submarine archaeological research it was a set of special methods (such as underwater exploration and videographic studies using remotely piloted underwater observation vehicle, hydroacoustic recording and sonographic analysis, detailed survey of shipwreck place, compilation of its photo mosaic and mapping).

History of “General Kotzebue” and “Vesta” are integral to one of Suez Channel and Russo-Turkish War of 1877—1878. Thus, “General Kotzebue” was constructed in 1866 in England and was famous for its seaworthiness. It served the Black Sea lines. The steamer with Russian delegation on board (including the famous marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky), was the first vessel passed through the Suez Canal in 1869. This steamer was sunk at the West of the Cape Tarkhankut in 1895 at a depth of 44 m. Place of shipwreck was unknown before, and through this the vessel was saved from pillage. In 2013, “General Kotzebue” was examined by the employees of the Black Sea Submarine Research Centre. Some items were picked up from the ship and identified, and now they are stored in the funds in of the Center in Feodosia. 

As to “Vesta”, 11 Jul. 1877 (during Russo-Turkish War of 1877—1878) it was locked in the battle against Turkish armor-plated ship. After five-hour military clash, Russian steamer forced the enemy to retreat. The future admiral Zinovy Rozhestvensky actively participated in this naval battle and was awarded Order of St. George of the 4th class. Steamer commander Nikolay Baranov and steamer itself received Russian national fame. However, after this the scandal broke out: Lieutenant Rozhestvensky published an article, in which he described the naval battle as a ‘shameful flight’ and accused Captain Baranov of exaggerating the merits of “Vesta” (although Rozhestvensky himself did not abandon the Order). The trial began, and the unjustly accused Captain Baranov was dismissed.

In November 1887, "Vesta" sank after a collision with another steamer 16 km from the Cape Tarkhankut, where wrack of this steamer was found at the end of 2015. 

I paid special attention to videographic studies of 2013—2016 and wreck identification (including by comparing “Vesta” foreship found underwater with its images in the pictures of famous Russian artists, contemporaries of the events).

I conclude that wrack of steamers “General Kotzebue” and “Vesta” are integral part of the cultural heritage of the Crimea, and their detection, identification and research are an important event in the conservation and promotion of Russian underwater cultural heritage. Further planning of underwater research should include refinement of the compiled plan and nonhazardous rearrangement of backlogs, especially in areas most promising in archaeological terms.

Keywords: steamer; Russian Steam Navigation and Trading Company (Russian S.N. & Tdg. Co.); inauguration of Suez Channel; Russo-Turkish War (1877—1878); shipwreck; wrack; submarine archaeological studies; videographing.