3-004-021 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Russian corvette Bogatir and frigate Osliaba off Gravesend, 1861. 'The river [Thames] at Gravesend has for the last few weeks been enlivened by the presence of three Russian vessels of war - namely, the frigate Osliaba, 35 guns, 360-horse power, commanded by Captain Nazimoff; the corvette Bogatir, 17 guns, and 360-horse power, Captain Tcheybyscheff; and the sloop Rinda, 11 guns, 80-horse power, Captain Gerkéwitch. All three are noble and excellent vessels of their class, the corvette claiming especial notice. They are all armed entirely with 60-pounders, with a long traversing gun of that calibre forwards. These vessels are all bound for the River Amoor, China, and put in for repairs. During their short stay here every facility was afforded for their inspection, and the courtesy and kindness of the officers have left a most favourable impression'. (The Crimean War, fought between Russia and an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, the United Kingdom and Sardinia-Piedmont, had ended only five years earlier).