How Russian sailors ‘re-educated’ their captain with an oar blow to the head

Alexander Kruze was one of Russia’s most distinguished admirals, a recipient of the prestigious ‘Order of St. Andrew the First-Called’ and a hero of the wars against the Prussians, Turks and Swedes. A historical anecdote from the naval commander's early years is recounted in Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich’s 1909 publication, ‘Russian Portraits of the 18th and 19th Centuries’.

On July 5, 1770, Kruze took part in the ‘Battle of Chios’ against the Turks. He was in command of the ship ‘Evstafiy Plakida’; a spark landed in its powder magazine, causing the vessel to explode. The captain, his face burned, was thrown into the water, but managed to cling to a piece of the mast.

A rowboat from his ship happened to be nearby. However, instead of receiving help, Kruze was suddenly struck hard on the head with an oar. The captain's excessive severity and cruelty toward his crew were to blame, which had driven the men to a state of extreme resentment.

Nevertheless, a member of the crew took pity on him: the sailors hauled the captain into the rowboat, having first extracted a promise that their action would have no consequences or repercussions. And Kruze kept his word. Moreover, the blow from the oar had a remarkable transformative effect on him. As ‘Russian Portraits’ notes, he "completely changed the way he treated his crew after that and earned everyone’s love."