The cruiser "Aurora" is rightfully called the number one ship of the Russian Navy. The cruiser is a participant in the Battle of Tsushima, the 1917 revolution and the Great Patriotic War (the most important events in the history of the country of the 20th century). It would seem that everyone and everyone knows about the life of this ship. However, despite the many publications, in the life of the cruiser there is still one little-known episode related to the peaceful voyages of the Aurora. In 1911, the cruiser performed a responsible diplomatic mission, representing the Russian Navy at the coronation of the King of Siam, in the capital of the state of Bangkok. On the eve of the impending world war, there was a tense struggle for the future foreign policy orientation of the countries of Southeast Asia, including Siam, and the Russian Empire could not ignore this. It should be noted that diplomatic and trade relations between Russia and the Kingdom of Siam were established back in 1898.
In August 1911, the cruiser Aurora, which was part of the training detachment of the Naval Corps ships, returned to Kronstadt after a long voyage with midshipmen on board. Behind the stern were 25, 5 thousand miles, visits to many countries of Europe and Asia, and most importantly, the successful naval training of the corps students. The cruiser was commanded at that time by Captain 1st Rank P. N. Leskov is an experienced sailor, a participant in the Russo-Japanese War. On August 8, the naval minister IK Grigorovich held a review on the cruiser. The commander of the Baltic Fleet, Vice-Admiral N. O. Essen, reported: "There is nothing to see here, everything is always in order." To this the minister replied: “I know that,” walked around the ship, thanked the crew “for faithful service to the Tsar and the Fatherland,” and departed from the Aurora.
On August 13, the ship's commander P. N. Leskov handed over the files to the senior officer and went on vacation. But on the same day a telegram from the Minister of the Navy came to the cruiser: "The commander or his substitute will come to me tomorrow at eight o'clock in the morning." At the indicated time, Grigorovich received a senior officer of the Aurora Stark, who, when asked, "Can the cruiser go on a serious voyage in three weeks?" gave an affirmative answer. Hearing agreement, the minister set the task: to sail to Bangkok for the coronation of the Siamese king. It was due to arrive in Siam no later than November 16. In the Mediterranean, the Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich and the Greek prince Nikolai, representing the sovereign-emperor, were to sit on the "Aurora". Having set the task, the minister finished his conversation, wishing the ship's crew success and a happy voyage.
Despite the understandable fatigue from the previous (almost two-year) voyage, the Aurora personnel took this news with great satisfaction. Preparations began for a new campaign. All officers were recalled from vacations, small-scale necessary repair work began to be carried out on the ship, various supplies were loaded. However, the main task of the crew was to accommodate the Grand Duke, his retinue and servants on the cruiser, as well as 200 apprentices of non-commissioned officers, 70 cabin boys, 16 naval midshipmen, one officer in addition to the set, and an orchestra. At the same time, it was necessary to take into account the presence on board of a regular crew of 570 people. And although time was running out, by the appointed time, everything needed was completed.
On September 8, the Aurora arrived at Reval, where the fleet commander conducted a thorough examination of the cruiser, was again satisfied with its condition and gave a warm parting word to the crew before going ashore. In the evening, the cruiser weighed anchor. The ships and vessels standing in the Revel roadstead accompanied him by raising signals with the wishes of a happy voyage.
In the voyage on the ship, in parallel with studies, keeping the navigational watch, preparations continued for receiving distinguished guests. Leaving behind her parking in Plymouth and Algeria, according to the transition plan, on September 28, the Aurora arrived in Naples. In the evening of the next day, the Grand Duke arrived on the cruiser. At the same time, the news came that the Greek prince was not going on the ship. Raising the flag of the Grand Duke and making a ceremonial salute, the Aurora left the Italian coast. On October 5, the ship arrived at Port Said and then, having passed the Suez Canal, arrived in Aden on October 14. At all designated points of parking for the command and officers of the ship, the local authorities arranged receptions and meetings, paid visits to the cruiser. This was seen as a kind of diplomatic work in the interests of Russia.
On October 22, the ship entered the Indian Ocean and arrived in Colombo two days later. Due to the strike of the British miners, complications began with the loading of coal. Instead of Singapore, they had to go to Sabang, where they arrived on November 5, where the ship received coal, and on November 6 left for Singapore.
Exactly at the appointed time, November 16 at 10 am, the Aurora dropped anchor in the roadstead of Bangkok. Nearby were the Siamese yacht "Mahachakari" under the standard of the Duke of Südermanland and his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, the English cruiser "Astrea" under the standard of the Prince of Teck, the Japanese cruiser "Ibuki", two Siamese gunboats. Upon the arrival of the Russian ship, all the standards were saluted "one by one in order of seniority."
The Russian envoy and the youngest son of the Siamese prince arrived with anchoring aboard the "Aurora", they congratulated the Grand Duke and the crew on their safe arrival. Unfortunately, as G. K. Stark, our envoy turned out to be far from being aware of how the coronation ceremony will be held and who should officially attend it. Naturally, all this caused the displeasure of the Grand Duke. It was decided that the Grand Duke and his retinue and two officers of the ship, including the commander of the Aurora, would go to the celebrations. At about half past eleven on a Siamese yacht, they departed for Bangkok, and there was a lull on the ship.
The days of celebration were determined by four days - from 18 to 21 November. On November 19, the day of the coronation, a salute of 100 volleys was given. On the roadstead, where the ships were stationed, a naval parade was held. When it got dark, "Aurora" was decorated with bright illumination. On the same day, on board a Siamese gunboat for the officers of the ships who arrived at the celebrations, they gave a dinner, during which conversations were conducted exclusively on naval topics, not a word was said about the war, the Japanese (and the Russo-Japanese War recently ended), according to to Stark's memories, "behaved impeccably." Later, the Russian sailors arranged a return dinner in honor of the officers of the Siamese gunboat, which was also held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
On November 20, a group of Aurora officers visited Bangkok, examined the exotic city, the royal palace, and took part in festive ceremonies, although not in the role of officials, but simply private guests. An interesting characteristic given by G. K. Stark to the king of Siam, who then came to the throne: Stark reported that the prince was educated in England and is considered a learned man. The first reform he made when he came to the throne was to dissolve the old king's harem, which had 300 wives. He placed the existing children in the poorhouse, and simply drove everyone else out. He himself is single, and does not want to marry, which, it seems, does not please his subjects. The army of Siam at that time consisted of 30 thousand people, and all of it was located in the capital of the state. In addition to the official army, the king also had a regular, the so-called tiger army. Representatives of famous Siamese families served in it, "from boys 10-12 years old to old generals." All of them wore original beautiful uniforms. Nobody obliged them to serve, but everyone considered it an honor to be a "tiger".
The lower ranks of the cruiser also went ashore. Their behavior was impeccable. However, in the spirit of that time, it was not without a serious incident. One and a half dozen sailors of the "Aurora", who were on the shore, received acute food poisoning. Two of them died. The ship's doctor feared that this might turn out to be an outbreak of cholera, and preventive measures were hastily taken on the ship. The deceased sailors were buried in the Bangkok cemetery. These sad events darkened the ship's stay in the Kingdom of Siam. On the ship, the official reception was canceled and the participation of officials from the cruiser crew in a number of receptions on the shore.
On the evening of November 30, the Grand Duke returned to the cruiser with his retinue, the Aurora raised anchor and set off for the homeland. In Singapore, a ceremonial ritual was held on the ship to be promoted to officers of the naval midshipmen of the Marine Corps. The Grand Duke warmly congratulated the students of the oldest naval educational institution with the assignment of the first officer rank of midshipman. A ceremonial breakfast was arranged for the young officers. "Now," GK Stark noted in his diary, "there were already 48 people at the table in the wardroom."
When crossing the equator, a traditional Neptune festival was held on the ship. "God of the seas and oceans" congratulated everyone who first crossed the zero parallel of our planet. Then there was "baptism" - everyone was thrown into a large bathtub made of an awning. They started with the Grand Duke, ended with sailors. The last one was thrown into the water, to great pleasure. present, a lively pig. In the evening they had a magnificent dinner, at which, this was the only time during the voyage, there were alcoholic drinks on the table."
New, 1912, the crew of "Aurora" met in Colombo. There was a decorated Christmas tree on the ship. The Grand Duke handed out gifts to the whole team, and the wardroom presented a wonderful brother for a punch of ancient Siamese work. In the evening, a concert of the orchestra and "ship talents" took place for the crew members.
Having passed the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and Port Said, on February 2, the cruiser arrived at the Greek port of Piraeus. Here he was visited by a Russian mission. On February 11, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna arrived on the ship in Naples, presenting the commander of the Aurora and some officers of the cruiser with the order "for faithful service." February 22, wishing the ship's crew success in their future service, the Grand Duke left the Aurora. It seemed that now, no longer burdened by the presence of distinguished guests, the ship could return to its native shores. He fulfilled his mission. However, on February 19, the cruiser commander received a telegram: to follow to Crete. He began his service as a senior Russian station officer on this island in Souda Bay.
The presence of the Aurora in a foreign port to demonstrate its military presence was determined by the international situation of that time. Officially, Crete then belonged to Turkey, but was inhabited mainly by Greeks who were eager to join Greece. To support the interests of Turkey, the "patronizing power" of Crete (England, Russia, and France) blocked the island in order to prevent Crete's deputies from getting to Greece, where the parliament was considering including the island in the Greek state. Despite this "tutelage", on April 15, 20 Cretan deputies tried to leave the island on a steamer. However, they were intercepted at sea by the English cruiser Minerva. Seven deputies were sent to the "Aurora" to be held as prisoners until the completion of the work of the Greek parliament. However, it is worth noting that the deputies were kept on the Russian ship for a whole month far from being prisoners. They even ate in the mess on a par with the officers. But this was already the decision of the cruiser commander, and by no means the St. Petersburg dignitaries.
On March 7, a telegram came to the ship, with which the naval minister recalled Senior Lieutenant G. K. Stark to Russia. After changing to the Khivinets gunboat, he got to Piraeus, and from there by steamer to his native Kronstadt. The cruiser stayed for a long time, carrying out a difficult diplomatic watch, and returned to Kronstadt only on July 16, 1912.
