Nikolay Karlovich Krabbe

Nikolay Karlovich Krabbe (Николай Карлович Краббе) (September 19, 1814 – January 3, 1876) was an  admiral of the Russian Imperial Navy.

After graduating from naval academy joined the corps of navy cadets (гардемарины - gardemariny) and in 1832 was promoted midshipman in the Baltic Fleet serving on the frigates Belton, Kulm and Oranienbaum. In 1836-1837 he was sent to the Caspian Sea, participating in the naval operations during the Caucasian War. His bravery during the war earned him the rank of lieutenant. In 1838 Krabbe was appointed the General Staff of the Imperial Navy, as aide-de-camp to prince L.S. Menshikov.

In 1839 he was sent to the Azov Sea to organize a naval expedition along the northern coast of the Black Sea, being in command of a squadron under admiral Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev at that time in head of the Black Sea Fleet. Promoted captain lieutenant in 1842, he was part of the Russian mission led by admiral Yevfimy Vasilievich Putyatin to Iran. Thereafter, in 1847, he was in charge of a naval expedition exploring the delta of the Syr Darya. He returned to the Black Sea Fleet in 1853, being in command of a squadron under viceadmiral Lazar Markovich Serebryakov.

The same year he was promoted imperial aide-de-camp and appointed deputy director of the Ministry of Navy's Inspection Department. Two years later he became director of the department. He returned to active duty during the Crimean War, returning to the Ministry after the war. While working at the Inspection Department he was actively involved in the equipment of the vessels to be stationed in the delta of the Amur River, creating the first Russian naval base in the Far East, on the Pacific Ocean.

His career continued rapidly: Nikolay Krabbe was promoted counter admiral în 1856, viceadmiral in 1862 and admiral in 1869. În 1860 he was appointed Minster of the Navy, holding his position for 14 years. His main concern was the modernization of the Russian navy. His main concern was the naval artillery and he was instrumental in the building of the Obukhovsky Steel Foundry (now Obukhov State Plant) for the production of naval guns. He also started modernizing the fleet from wooden vessels to metal plated ships and from sailing ships to ships equipped with steam engines. He also made the arrangement for Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich's visit the United States.

In 1874 he was relieved of his duties as Minister of the Navy and appointed vice General Admiral of the Russian Imperial Navy. Nikolay Krabbe died on January 3, 1876