Battle of Gangut

Significance

The Battle of Gangut, fought on 27 July (Old Style) / 7 August 1714 (New Style) in the waters of Riilahti Bay north of the Hanko Peninsula, near the site of modern-day Hanko, Finland, was the first significant naval victory in the history of the Russian fleet. Contested between a Swedish force of approximately 2,400 and a Russian force of roughly 3,900, with casualties recorded at 2,000 and 3,000 respectively, the engagement demonstrated that the Tsardom of Russia had developed a naval arm capable of confronting and defeating the established Swedish Empire at sea. Within the Great Northern War, which had begun in 1700 and would continue until 1721, Gangut marked a meaningful shift in the balance of maritime power in the conflict. The battle is commemorated in Russia as one of the Days of Military Honour, reflecting the lasting institutional significance attached to it as a founding episode of Russian naval tradition.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (5)