Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming!!-- Part 1

From the June 22nd San Francisco Chronicle.

Well, actually, they've come and gone by now, but still an interesting story.

The first Russian surface ship in 147 years, the Cruiser Varyag, the flagship of Russia's Pacific fleet, made an appearance in the harbor. This is the first Russian ship since 1863 when Czar Alexander II sent his fleet to San Francisco and New York City to show Russia's support for the Union during the Civil War.

A Russian/Soviet submarine did come into San Francisco Bay back during World War II.

Six Russian ships led by a rear admiral entered the bay. Britain was considering recognizing the Confederacy and the French were about to send troops into Mexico. Confederate raiders were sailing in the Pacific.

While in San Francisco, Russian sailors helped fight a huge fire and six lost their lives.

Russians in SF!!! --DaCoot

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