Copy of the first Russian battleship to be built in Voronezh

17.06.2011 Keel-laying ceremony of the battleship God's Predestination – exact copy of the first Russian Navy's warship – was held on June 15 at Pavlovsk Shipyard, Voronezh region.

Planting of the plaque with the ship's name, date of laying and other information on it was the main event of the ceremony.

Prior to that, Voronezh Metropolite Sergius made a prayer service in honor to the future ship.

The plaque was traditionally planted on the first section mounted on the slipway.

At the end of the ceremony all boats at the shipyard greeted the new ship with horn sounds. Honorable guests attending the event received souvenir copies of the keel-laying plaque; among them was Voronezh Governor Alexei Gorgeyev.

"Today we're taking part in the historical event. We reconstruct the first battleship of Russian Navy God's Predestination. She will link centuries and revive the history of Russian arms, Russian courage, and Russian spirit. We chose Pavlovsk not by accident, this ship was built here by Peter the Great", said Alexei Gordeyev.

The battleship will be launched in 2012 and become a museum, said Voronezh Governor. Many organizations are involved in the project implementation. "Finally, it will be the exact copy of the Peter's ship; even minor details will be copied. We're going to make high-end excursions for those who really want to devote themselves to marine affairs", added the head of the region.

Reference

God's Predestination is a 58-cannon sailing battleship launched in 1700 at the shipyard of Voronezh Admiralty. She was built under the project developed by Peter the Great and under supervision of known shipbuilder Fedosei Sklyaev. Peter the Great took direct part in shipbuilding works; he headed the keel-laying ceremony and participated in the ship's launching.

God's Predestination was the first Russian battleship and the first IV rank ship (on British rank classification of 1706) built in Russia without foreign shipwrights involved. While in service, the ship was stationed at Azov Fleet. In 1711 after unfortunate Prut Campaign and surrender of Fort Azov, the ship was sold to the Ottoman Empire.