Engraver A. Shkhonebek
The historic decision of the Boyar Duma of October 20, 1696 marked the beginning of the creation of the Azov Fleet, Russia's first regular fleet to fight Turkey on the Black Sea. Construction of large ships began in Voronezh and other shipyards in 1697. In 1698, the Taganrog naval base was founded. In 1699, the Azov Fleet, consisting of 10 ships under the command of Peter the Great, made a demonstration trip from Taganrog to Kerch, which influenced the conclusion of a peace treaty with Turkey. On the way back to Taganrog, Peter conducted the first fleet maneuvers. He commanded the 42-gun ship Otvennye Vorota.
