Is this not an example of steadfastness and courage of Russian seafarers making the first round-the-world voyage ?!
"Thus, we have completed a very long voyage straight from the Canton, without entering into the ports. At the same time, the people on my ship were perfectly healthy and did not tolerate the slightest disadvantage," - the commander marked. In the morning he moved out to the shore, and it was warmly accepted by the Governor John Prevost. The next day all the Newspapers reported on the first Russian circumnavigation. On the ship tumbled down crowds of curious British" [2].
I will mark that Francis Drake during a global cruise, having finished "phase of enrichment", after shock of the ship about the rock near Java Island (approximately January 9-10, 1580) was stimulated to throw out overboard the considerable number of loads including fighting supplies. Perhaps, among the loads thrown overboard there were also guns. Drake managed to to get off from the rock. Then after a stop in Java, with partly unarmed ship Drake proceeded to Plymouth, trying not to stop and not to meet with the ships.
Drake nevertheless has stopped near the African coast for search of water .
Doesn't raise doubts that Yu. F. Lisyansky was familiar with the history of a global cruise of Francis Drake which has been carried out in 1577-1580.
'Neva' followed to England, having passed near coast of Java.
Thus, Yu. F. Lisyansky partly repeated both the trajectory and the format (if possible, of the non-stop - after leaving the Java - navigation) of Francis Drake.
"On the morning of 9 June, the Azores showed up. To the ship "Neva" under all sails the boat under the English flag hurried. The captain of the boat has reported about a state of war between Russia and France. He has given a pile of newspapers, has shortly told about events in Europe" [2].
As can be deduced, after reading the book by Yu. F. Lisyansky, for some time "Neva" was chasing a large ship, apparently French. However, by this time, Yu. F. Lisyansky knew both "Neva" and the crew of the ship. He reasonably relied on high speed. "Neva" pulled away from the pursuit.
"Being needing of rest and wanting also to correct the ship in some parts, I was forced to stand in the Portsmouth raid for about two weeks. Taking advantage of this time, I decided to go to London, where the public and all my acquaintances showered me with flattering greetings. During our stay in Portsmouth, the ship "Neva" was visited by many Englishmen, especially ladies who were very interested in seeing the first Russian ship that had made such an important journey." [8].
About a century and a half after Yu. F. Lisyansky, Chay Blyth committed single-handed non-stop westwards round-the-world voyage . Just like the "Neva", the yacht of Chay Blyth "British Steel" after returning attracted the attention of the British people.
"When I have seen a huge congestion of people on embankment of Hamble, at me have intercepted a throat. I was scary proud and flattered and deeply grateful to all, who wanted to meet me, but I understood and I understand that desire to see me, Chey Blyth, was just one of the reasons that led them there. Not my personality was the main thing, and something another - I kind of personified ability of mankind to throw a challenge to danger and to win. So left that such great honor has fallen to my lot. That is, I floated not for nothing. We need romanticism. Mankind has always been in need of romance ..." [9].
On July 13, 1806 'Neva' has left Portsmouth and on August 5, 1806 has come to Kronstadt.
On August 19, 1806 "Hope" also has come to Kronstadt.
The expedition, in general, has successfully carried out the tasks. The circumnavigations were completed successfully!
6. Completion of the round-the-world expedition and Alexander I. Instead of an epilogue.
"In what we have come admiration when Kronstadt to our eyes has opened! - Korobitsyn shared the last impressions. - (...) In 1/2 9 го to hour we have reached the Kronstadt raid and in distance of 1/2 mile from the harbor have come to anchor. At 9 o'clock we we saluted from the ship for the Kronstadt Fortress 13 th shots of guns, for which we were equally answered with an equal number of shots; walls of the Kronstadt harbor have been filled by a great number of the audience of both sexes, and the ship our the same hour was surrounded coming from Kronstadt boats" [2].
Alexander I "has wished to visit Kronstadt and the "Neva". (...) Early in the morning from St. Petersburg there has arrived Alexander I. He has passed across the main deck, has greeted the officers and sailors. In a cabin of the commander he examined wonders: sinks, corals, wooden hand-made articles, masks from the Russian America. He was surprised to learn that until now on the ship in the barrels there was preserved the corned beef (a salt-cured beef) prepared three years ago.
- And what of it is edible? - Alexander I has asked sickly-sweet.
- Your majesty, yesterday for lunch, the team ate, and all are healthy, - has answered Lisyansky.
- Also it is possible to try?
- All right, your majesty, through a quarter of hour the buffet reception in the saloon will be prepared, - the commander has assured.
- Well Well, we will wait, - Alexander I continued to consider collections, and Korobitsyn has started to prepare a table.
Having tasted corned beef, crackers, the tsar have drunk waters taken in the tropics, and smacked his lips approvingly.
Soon after Alexander I's visit, Yury Fedorovich has learned about the imperial award - the Emperor granted him the order of Vladimir of the 3rd degree. He was urgently caused to St. Petersburg for delivery of an award. The decree read: "In honor of the zealous service of the Captain Lieutenant Lisyansky, and the special works incurred by him in the commission of a safe voyage, by our will, we graciously presented him with the knight of the Order of St. Vladimir of the third degree ..."
After delivery of an award the minister of commerce Rumyantsev announced a financial reward:
- His Imperial Majesty commanded to give you an annual pension from the State Treasury three thousand rubles. But also, - Rumyantsev was coughed kindly - Russian-American Company grants you ten thousand as a sign of your merits before her.
On the same day to him was declared about assignment of a rank of Captain of the 2nd rank. A day passed, and imperial family came from Peterhof - Empress Maria Fedorovna with the great Princes Nicholas and Michael and the great Princesses Catherine and Anna. After survey of the ship, tea was served...
(...)
Lisyansky has handed over the ship and heat has said goodbye to crew. Officers have presented him a gold epee with an inscription on a hilt: "Gratitude of team of the Neva ship' [2].
In general, there is an impression that the emperor Alexander I treated to Yu.F. Lisyansky not badly. Perhaps, concerning the emperor to Lisyansky there was a respect. And, maybe, it was satisfaction with success: I have made the right choice.
Allegedly Napoleon at a meeting with Alexander I in Tilsit it is transparent I have hinted that the German captain Krusenstern headed the first global cruise of the Russian seamen [2]. Probably, the global cruise of 1803 - 1806 disturbed Napoleon; he, maybe, in this event has felt some unpleasant foreshadow.
"Upon returning from cruising, Yuri Fedorovich was announced about a new appointment - the commander of the crews" of all the personal yachts of his Imperial Majesty "[2].
It is possible to assume that some sort of personnel plans were connected with Lisiansky, maybe the emperor expected some kind of request, initiative ...
The Emperor Alexander I, the person of a high position and broad outlook, understood, that circumnavigations of Kruzenstern and Lisyansky - the first round-the-world voyages in the history of Russia - added to his reign more gloss, than many diamonds in his crown.