Russian Navy Statistics and Organization (1826-1852)

In this section you will find some useful statistics relating to the Russian navy during the reign of Tsar Nicolas I.  Fleet and personnel strength can be found here along with major fleet commanders and their years of tenure.  Also in this section is information regarding the composition and staffing of the Russian navy during this period of history.

Russian Fleet Organization

The tables below show the organization of the Russian navy during the reign of Nicolas I from 1826 to the era just before the Crimean war.  Ideal unit strengths and composition of the command staff are also given with selected formations.

The bulk of Russian naval strength rested in the two main fleets of the time, the Baltic and the Black Sea fleets.  Troop strength was divided amongst five divisions.  The first three divisions made up the Baltic Fleet while the Black Sea fleet was comprised of the remaining two divisions.  Operational squadrons were formed as the need arose.

Two small flotillas added to Russian naval capabilities.  These were the Caspian flotilla that guarded the Caspian Sea and the Kamchatka flotilla that patrolled the Russian Pacific coast.  These were each made up of a single ekipazh (group) numbering around 1136 men.

Additionally the fleet was further augmented by a number of support ekipazh that provided labor for repairs and maintained docks and harbors.  Other support companies included laboratory companies, arsenal companies, and the naval engineers. 

Navy Division Organization

The five divisions of the Russian fleet were each broken up into naval brigades numbering about 3408 men.  These brigades were further subdivided into three smaller units known as ekipazh which could be assigned to task forces created for a given tactical situation.

Navy Ekipazh Organization

The ekipazh were the basic organizational unit of the Russian navy, much as the regiment was the basis for the army.  The fleet was comprised of 47 ekipazh that were numbered sequentially and an Imperial Guard ekipazh based in St. Petersburg.  Ekipazh 1 through 28 were assigned to the Baltic Fleet, while ekipazh 29 through 45 were assigned to the Black Sea fleet.  The 46th ekipazh made up the Caspian flotilla while the 47th ekipazh made up the Kamchatka flotilla.

An ekipazh was typically commanded by a captain 1st rank and comprised of four line companies and a support company.  Other officers in the unit included a captain 2nd rank, a captain 3rd rank, four captain-lieutenants, twelve lieutenants, and twelve michman (warrant officers).  Enlisted ranks were made up of 80 petty officers that filled the roles of boatswain, quartermaster, and similar roles.  1000 sailors and 25 musicians (drummers and buglers) completed the unit.

Navy Company Organization

Line companies were commanded by a captain-lieutenant.  Three lieutenants and three michman completed the company command staff.  The unit's enlisted ranks were comprised of three petty officers, six musicians, and 250 sailors.  The support company was made up of 100 men who filled the roles of doctor, pharmacist, paymaster, commissariat, clerk, and medical attendants.