Sicily messina earthquake 1908 Russian angels of italian messina
Everyone knows very well that Messina – great place to relax, which is famous not only throughout Italy as a wonderful resort, but throughout the world. Ancient history dating back to the eighth century BC and excellent geographical location, make this city good place for all lovers of European holidays. Beautiful sea bays, shopping areas, huge citrus orchards - all this is about Messina. But today the story will be about one of the most terrible pages in the history of Messina and Sicily: the earthquake in Sicily in 1908.
The ancient Greeks believed that live in this area scary monsters from myths. But, most of all, they were frightened by earthquakes, now and then shaking the entire “Italian boot”.
1908 Messina earthquake
However worst earthquake ever in Messina, and in throughout Europe, By the way, it happened not in antiquity, but relatively recently - December 28, 1908. It happened in the early morning, when almost all the inhabitants of the city were sleeping peacefully in their beds. The first shock alone gave rise to the most grandiose and terrifying of the earthquakes in Europe. On land and under water, shifts began, quickly diverging to the sides. A few hours later, Messina and almost all the nearby fishing villages no longer looked like human habitats, but looked like solid gloomy ruins.
But, it was far from the end. After some time, the waters of the sea moved fifty meters from the shore, and after all the coast from Catania to Messina experienced a huge six-meter wave that penetrated deep into the island. Calabria suffered even more. Near Reggio the shocks were also stronger than anywhere else in Sicily, but it was Messina that lost the most of its inhabitants and tourists who loved the city as their holiday destination. Communication with all other settlements in Italy was completely cut off, causing aid for a long time they were not expelled, simply not knowing about the terrible incident on the island.
Russian rescue expedition to Messina: Preparation
Surprisingly, the first to call for help Sailors from Russia responded. A day later, sailors of the Russian Navy landed on the shore with a whole staff of doctors capable of providing first aid to the victims. Six hundred sailors quickly restored order among the ruins left from the cities and villages. A few hours later they moored to the shore and English sailors who took control of the cities and villages, where the Russian sailors did not have enough people and time to establish order.
Russian sailors were nearby for a reason. After being Russo-Japanese War ends, in general, extremely unfortunate for Russian Empire, the navy was in one of its worst states ever. To train the new command staff, in 1906 the command formed a whole squadron for a long trip abroad. Two battleships and two cruisers were under the command Litvinova V.I. the main objective- exchange of experience with allies and training of personnel according to a new model. The main rule is to represent your state abroad with honor and learn as much positive experience as possible from your colleagues from other countries.
In 1908, the entire squadron through Finnish the bay, skirting Europe, headed for the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, as indicated in the original plan of exercises. Just a few kilometers from the coast Spain several training maneuvers were held, which were aimed at educating the new best officers for the Russian Navy. After that, the path of the ships lay in Italy- place of arrival Port of Augusta, which is located on east of sicily, just 150 kilometers from Messina. The ships arrived in Augusta in on a regular basis December 15, 1908 and already in place continued the exercises.
The morning of December 28 was the time of a terrible tragedy. Messina shuddered from terrible tremors that displaced entire layers of the earth and destroying 95% all buildings in the region. Three shocks were enough to turn everything on the coast of Sicily and Calabria into smoking ruins.
Early in the morning the sailors of the Russian naval forces woke up from a very strong and loud rumble, followed by several strikes on the hulls of ships moored in the port of Augusta. Behind it followed by a high wave, flooding the bay. She was so strong that everything ships off the coast turned around its axis. Another ten minutes passed and the situation calmed down. Only the ripples in the sea water reminded me of the shocks.
TO evening rumors began to reach the command of the Russian squadron about the extent of what had happened. Already in the evening he turned to Litvinov A. Makeev, who served as the ambassador of the Russian Empire in Italy. He asked the sailors to help earthquake victims near Messina. Having sent a letter to St. Petersburg, Litvinov immediately organized a rescue expedition, which included all the personnel under his command.
While the ships were at sea on their way to the coast of Messina, briefings were given on board regarding the provision of quick first aid to people who had suffered from a powerful earthquake. Special rescue groups were formed, each of several sailors, a doctor and other specialists. A competent distribution of tools and food was organized, which could be needed during the rescue of the victims. Honey was also promptly prepared. parts of battleships and cruisers for taking people on board. Full leadership over the medical staff of the expedition was taken over by Dr. Bunge- well-known expert long years worked in arctic.
Earthquake in Messina: Help for victims
Upon arrival in Messina, the Russian sailors opened terrible picture. Almost all buildings lay in ruins, nothing remains of the city's large commercial port. Inhabitants who managed to stay alive, not remembering himself from grief, asked them to help. Thousands of blockages were not silent - people were crying And shouted among the rubble of destroyed buildings. Fires of various sizes were visible throughout the city.
First of all, it was organized rubble clearing under which there were people. The hardest part was the first day the tremors were still going on occasionally. New collapses could cause death and those who provided assistance.
On the shore quickly deployed several large medical posts where you can get first aid. There bandaged sick and even made operations practically in the field. As time will show these items have saved thousands of lives. Without the help of Russian sailors and doctors, many residents of Messina would have died. Also, huge support rendered English sailors, who arrived at the epicenter of the earthquake in Messina just a few hours later.
Job to rescue victims of the earthquake in Sicily lasted twenty-four hours a day. From under the rubble succeeded only in the first two days extract almost two thousand affected. Children, the elderly, women and seriously wounded patients were transported by Russian ships in groups to the nearest surviving settlements, where they could receive qualified medical care, accommodation and food. On the way back, the ships were loaded with provisions, water and medicines, which were distributed almost immediately to those in need.
Consequences of the earthquake in Messina in Sicily
Until now, the exact number of deaths during the earthquake in Messina in 1908 is unknown. According to some information said goodbye to life almost 45% of the total population of the region. This is about a hundred thousand people who were simply not ready for such a powerful blow of the elements and did not suspect anything the day before the incident.
When the rescue operation is over, Italian doctors sent Command of the Navy of the Russian Empire letter of thanks, for work and care, for helping everyone who suffered from a terrible earthquake.
The Italian government awarded Russian doctors who worked in Messina with orders and personal gratitude. They also did not forget about the commanders of the Russian squadron, who managed to correctly coordinate the actions of the personnel of the ships and provide timely assistance to the inhabitants of the region. In memory of what they did sailors from Russia, they were all presented with silver medals. Participated in the rescue operation six thousand sailors And three hundred doctors.
After finishing mission, Russian sailors continued your expedition going to the shores Alexandria.
City of Messina Also do not forget the feat Russian sailors. Two years after the earthquake, residents raised money for large solid gold medal, which was awarded to the entire Russian fleet. Also in the city there is a sculpture, depicting the rescuers of the inhabitants of Messina, who in 1908 came to the rescue in difficult times. The awards were handed over personally commander of the Aurora- the ship specially arrived at the port of Messina in 1910.
Memory about the help of sailors kept by the Messinians to this day. Many streets cities named V honor of Russian sailors and doctors who especially distinguished themselves during the rescue operation. One of commemorative plaques on the building of the City Council of Messina is also installed in honor of the entire squadron who came to the rescue during the 1908 earthquake.
Among the locals so far It is customary to call Russian sailors "Blue Angels". In the memory of the descendants of people who survived the terrible tragedy of the beginning of the century, the Russian fleet really remained just like that - they came from the sea, suddenly, in bright blue uniforms, and saved thousands of lives. Years go by, but the memory of this feat will remain for many centuries ...
Earthquakes in Sicily today
Sicily is an earthquake-prone region. Earthquakes happen here from time to time, but as a rule they are very weak. The last one happened in February 2016 with an amplitude of 4 on the Richter scale. There have been no casualties and destruction since 1908 in Sicily.
The earthquake that rocked southern Italy in 1908 was one in a long string of events of its kind, but one of particular destructive power.
Located in the collision area of the Eurasian and African lithospheric plates, Italy is prone to frequent earthquakes. Year after year, the African plate is slowly moving north. There are reports of serious earthquakes dating back to the time of the Roman Empire, and the south of the country usually suffered the most. The estimated death toll from the 1693 earthquake was 150,000 in Sicily and Naples. In 1783, the lives of some 50,000 inhabitants were mourned after an earthquake in Calabria, in the area that forms the southwestern "toe" of the Italian "boot". Later, an earthquake in 1905 hit the same place, destroying 25 villages and causing the death of about 5,000 people.
The severity of the damage caused by the 1908 earthquake is explained by the fact that its epicenter was in the Strait of Messina, which separates the mainland and the island of Sicily, the width of which at its narrowest part is 3 km. The coast on both sides of the strait was a well-developed and densely populated area.
The northeastern part of Sicily is occupied by the city of Messina, which at the time of the earthquake had 150,000 inhabitants. On the mainland, on the other side of the strait, is the city of Reggio di Calabria, where at that time 45,000 people lived. In addition to them, on both sides of the strait there were many other ports, large and small.
Caught off guard while sleeping
This natural disaster with a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale broke out at 5:20 am on December 28. The sleeping people were taken by surprise, and many perished under the rubble of their own homes. Two shocks were recorded: a preliminary, weak one, which lasted approximately 20 seconds, and the main oscillation, which lasted without interruption for 30 seconds.
In Messina, the fish market went underground, was destroyed to the ground Train Station, only ruins remained from the cathedral on a large square. In Reggio di Calabria, countless houses also collapsed, and on the coast of Calabria, not a single house survived in a strip of 40 km. The shock was followed by a tidal wave. In Messina, it did not exceed 2.7 m, while in other places it reached 12 m. The destruction was complete, communication with the outside world stopped. But an earthquake and a tidal wave spared several ships in the port of Messina. When the elements calmed down, the captain of the ship "Serpente" led his ship in search of a place where the telegraph lines were not damaged. He had to go 70 km to the north, and only in the resort town of Marina di Nicotera on the coast of Calabria, he was able to send a distress signal.
The ships sent to help arrived in the disaster area two days later. According to the stories of the sailors, they had difficulty orienting themselves, as the coastline had changed beyond recognition. In many places, vast areas of land disappeared under water. Meanwhile, the surviving townspeople and employees of the local branch of the Red Cross set up first aid stations and began to collect the bodies of the dead. King Victor Emmanuel III arrived from Rome on one of the ships and, shocked by what he saw, sent an excited telegram: “The ruin is utter: fires, blood and death are everywhere; send ships, as many ships as possible!”
Over time, ships began to arrive not only from Italy, but also from other European countries and the USA. Ten thousand residents were evacuated, many of them never returned to these places. So, for example, it happened with several thousand Sicilians who went aboard cargo ships to America. But some people were not destined to get there: their ship "Florida" collided near New York with another ship. Panic seized 850 refugees, and three of them drowned. Fortunately, help arrived in time for the others.
Eruptions in subsequent years
After the earthquake, Messina and Reggio were rebuilt. Since then, natural disasters have bypassed them, but the restless state of the earth's crust continued to be felt. In 1968, Sicily again experienced an earthquake that killed 400 people and completely destroyed the city of Gibellina. In 2002, an earthquake struck near Palermo, causing some damage, but this time there were no casualties. The shock was felt throughout the island, and thousands of people ran out of their homes in panic, ignoring the late night.
Earthquakes haunt not only Sicily and Calabria. In 1915, 30,000 people died and the city of Avezzano in central Italy was completely destroyed. In 1976, an underground element manifested itself in the Friuli region, where about 1,000 people died. In 1980, the city of Eboli, located south of Naples, was hit by an earthquake, where the death toll exceeded 2,700 people. A series of earthquakes occurred in 1997 in the region of Umbria, which displaced 40,000 people and killed 13. The world-famous Basilica of St. Francis in the city of Assisi was badly damaged.
Nevertheless, over the past decades, Italians have been more prepared for possible earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Research into the causes of these phenomena is ongoing, early warning systems are being improved, and the construction of roads, residential buildings and office buildings takes into account the danger of underground vibrations. And yet, in recent years, there have been numerous disputes over plans to build a suspension bridge across the Strait of Messina. For such a structure, the length of which will be more than 3 km. you will need supports on both sides as high as the Eiffel Tower. The bridge structures should, according to the plan, withstand an earthquake of up to 7.1 on the Richter scale, the only question is whether such a margin of safety is enough. After years of discussions, the Italian parliament approved the plan in 2005 and proposed a €4 million tender for its implementation to the International Building Consortium.
The new administration, which came to power in 2006, has put the project on hold for the time being.
Monument to Russian sailors in Messina
Messinian earthquake or Russian peaceful landing in Italy
Earthquake in Messina
Messina is a very ancient city, which has experienced periods of prosperity and decline more than once in its history. One of the worst disasters in its history was a powerful earthquake that occurred on the morning of December 28, 1908. In saving Messina and thousands of lives of its inhabitants, the most active part was taken by the sailors of the Russian fleet, whose ships, fortunately, were not far from the place of the terrible tragedy.
Midshipman Detachment
After the end of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), the question of the revival of the Russian Navy arose. Along with the construction of ships, the training of personnel and future fleet commanders was carried out. For this purpose, in May 1906, a special detachment of ships was formed in the Baltic, designed to sail with ship midshipmen, which included the battleships Tsesarevich and Glory, the cruisers Admiral Makarov and Bogatyr. Rear Admiral commanded the unit Vladimir Ivanovich Litvinov.
On December 15 (28), 1908, the detachment, after practicing joint navigation and performing artillery firing exercises, anchored in the port of Augusta (east coast of Sicily, 70 miles south of Messina). Suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful rumble was heard. The hulls of the ships began to shudder, as if they were pounded with a hefty club. Broke into the bay huge wave turned anchored ships 360 degrees.
After a few minutes, the rumble stopped, although the excitement continued for some time. A combat alarm was played on the detachment, but, making sure that the ships were in order and nothing threatened them, they played a retreat.
In the evening, the captain of the port and the Russian vice-consul A. Makeev arrived from Catania to the commander of the detachment, who was holding the flag on the Tsesarevich. They reported that the day before in the south-west of Italy there was a strong earthquake with an epicenter in the Strait of Messina. The port chief handed Litvinov a telegram from the prefect of Syracuse, in which he asked "a friendly nation not to refuse assistance to the population."
The detachment commander telegraphed Petersburg about what had happened and, without waiting for an answer, ordered the ships to prepare for the campaign.
terrible disaster
During the transition, emergency preparations were made for rescue operations. For landing on the shore, the crews of the ships were divided into shifts. We formed rescue teams and provided them with entrenching tools, water and food. Reception centers for the wounded, provided with dressings and medicines, were deployed in the ship's infirmaries. This was led by the flagship doctor of the detachment A. Bunge, in the past a famous polar traveler.
The next morning, the ships arrived at the Messina raid. A terrible picture opened up to the eyes of the sailors. From the once flourishing and prosperous city with a population of over 160 thousand people, only smoking ruins remained. Fires broke out in many places. On the shore lay small ships thrown by the wave, the embankment and port facilities were destroyed.
What the sailors saw on the shore surpassed all the most gloomy forecasts. From under the ruins came the groans and cries of the wounded, and at the water's edge crowded thousands of half-dressed, distraught with grief and pain, the inhabitants of the city. As one of the eyewitnesses of the tragedy recalled: "They stretched out their hands to us, mothers raised their children, praying for salvation ...".
Wasting no time, the sailors set about clearing the rubble and rescuing people buried in the houses closest to the embankment. Dressing stations were immediately organized, to which they began to transfer the wounded. After some time, crews from the ships of the English squadron joined the Russian sailors, which, fortunately, also turned out to be not far from the distressed city.
The feat of Russian sailors
The excavations were carried out with great danger for the rescuers themselves. From time to time, tremors were felt, threatening further collapse of buildings. The change of teams took place after six hours, but many refused a well-deserved rest. Italians said about Russian sailors: “Heaven sent them to us, not the sea!”.
Russian ships took 400-500 victims on board and took them to Syracuse, Naples and Palermo. The battleship Slava, with 550 wounded, women and children on board, left for Naples with an order to immediately return to Messina after the transfer of people, purchasing only disinfectants, dressings and fresh provisions.
Later, Italian doctors wrote to the Russian Minister of Marine:
“We are unable to describe to Your Excellency the more than fraternal cares with which we were surrounded ... Russian sailors inscribed their names in golden letters for the eternal gratitude of all Italy ... Long live Russia !!!”.
Gradually, relative order was established in the affected city. More than 6 thousand troops, 40 warships were concentrated here, and up to 300 doctors gathered. To the question of the commander of the detachment - whether the help of Russian sailors is still needed, the Minister of Marine of Italy answered, while expressing deep gratitude to our compatriots that now the Italian authorities will manage on their own. On January 3 (16), 1909, the battleships Glory and Tsesarevich left for Augusta, and two days later the detachment moved to Alexandria.
Russian ships were enthusiastically received by the Italians living in Egypt. By the time the detachment arrived, a leaflet was issued here, which said: "Glory to the Russian officers and sailors who did not spare themselves in Messina in the name of humanity!".
According to official data, Russian sailors recovered from the ruins and rescued more than 2 thousand people. The Italian government awarded the doctors and command of the ships with Italian orders. Rear Admiral Litvinov received a gold medal and the Grand Cross of the Italian Crown, ship commanders and doctors received large silver medals and Commander's Crosses. In addition, all sailors, without exception, were awarded small silver medals "In memory of the commonwealth."
Grateful Sicily
Two years after the disaster, the Italian Committee for Assistance to the Victims of Messina raised funds to cast a gold commemorative medal, and the sculptor Pietro Cuferele completed a very expressive sculptural composition depicting Russian sailors rescuing the inhabitants of Messina from the ruins of the earthquake.
It was decided to award a gold medal to the Russian fleet, and large silver medals to the crews of Russian ships that distinguished themselves in rescuing the inhabitants of the stricken city.
On March 1 (14), 1910, the cruiser Aurora entered the harbor of Messina to the sounds of an orchestra. Russian and Italian flags fluttered everywhere. The embankment was crowded with jubilant people. Representatives of the city authorities arrived on board the ship. They gave the commander a commemorative gold medal, a panel depicting Russian sailors rescuing the inhabitants of the long-suffering Messina, and an address of thanks. It contained the lines:
“To you, the glorious sons of a noble land, whose heroism will go down in history, the first to rush to the aid of those who were threatened with certain death from the fury of the elements ...”.
To this day, the inhabitants of the city continue to cherish the memory of the feat of Russian sailors. In today's Messina, there are new areas that were once suburban villages, completely destroyed, like the city, during a terrible earthquake. Almost in each of these areas there are streets named after the feat of Russian sailors. Their names are similar and sound about the same: "Street of Russian sailors", "Street of Russian sailors-heroes of 1908", "Street of Russian sailors of the Baltic squadron"...
In 1978, a memorial plaque was installed on the building of the Messinian municipality with the inscription: "In memory of the generous assistance provided by the crews of Russian warships ... to the inhabitants of Messina, who suffered from the earthquake of December 28, 1908."
Video about the opening of the monument in Messina - http://www.1tv.ru/news/world/209227
Sources with illustrations
Messina is a city and port in Italy, located on the island of Sicily. The administrative center of the province of Messina. The quarters of the city stretch along the coast along the Strait of Messina of the same name, which flows between the Apennine Peninsula and about. Sicily. Its length is 33 km., width 3-22 km. The depth of the navigable part is 72-1220m. The strait is known for its treachery and whirlpools - Scylla and Charybdis. Messina was founded around 730 BC. called Zankla by the Greek colonists.
Currently, more than 500 thousand people live in the city. The main industry is shipbuilding and ship repair, mainly ships of medium displacement. The naval base of the Italian Navy is also located here, although the length of the mooring front is insignificant. The depth at the berths is up to 9m, and at the entrance to the harbor, the width of which is 457m, up to 8m.
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The catastrophic earthquake of December 28, 1908 was forever imprinted in the memory and hearts of the inhabitants of the city of Messina, as well as the dedication and heroism of the Russian sailors who came to the rescue. That feat entered an honorable page in the history of the Russian Navy. The tragedy is included in all reference books as one of the largest in the history of mankind, entailing huge casualties.
The first push got people out of their beds at 5:25. The second, growing push lasted about 10 seconds. Then the shocks followed one after another. Buildings collapsed from each next fluctuation of the earth's surface. The hotel and the cathedral collapsed, an entire city block turned into ruins. The Great Norman Cathedral of the Annunciation turned into ruins, keeping treasures of ancient art within its walls for centuries. Now he buried them under granite rubble. Remarkable architectural creations crumbled to dust - the theaters of Munizone and Victor Emmanuel. Luxurious, overcrowded hotels "Victoria", "Metropol", "Trinakria" and "France" staggered and collapsed, burying their guests. The Cathedral of Diomo collapsed - another repository of priceless treasures of art. Only the colossal mosaic statue of Christ on the dome of the apse at the eastern end of the cathedral has survived.But all this was only a small part tragic history. Houses buried entire families, city blocks of their inhabitants. The collapsed army barracks of Santelia took the lives of sleeping soldiers and contributed to the tragedy. The chief of police and most of the city officials died in their homes. The earthquake released 750 prisoners in the Cappuccini prison. They dispersed through the streets and by robberies and murders created an additional danger to the inhabitants of the city.
When the tremors finally stopped, out of 147,000 inhabitants, 65,000 remained alive. The rest died. Some were crushed by the rubble of collapsed buildings, some burned out in fires that arose due to damage to the gas pipeline, some drowned in the waters of spilled city reservoirs. Residents of the coastal strip were hit by a tsunami. Complete chaos reigned everywhere, which began to turn into a madhouse. To remove jewelry from the dead, the robbers chopped off their fingers. Half-starved crowds in half-ruined warehouses beat each other to death for a piece of bread. It seemed that there was no force capable of resisting the raging elements, panic, looting.
At that time, off the coast of Sicily, there was a detachment of ships of the Baltic Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral V.I. Litvinov in the composition: "Tsesarevich", "Glory", "Admiral Makarov" and "Bogatyr". In October 1908, the ships left Libava for practical navigation and in December they anchored in the remote bay of Augusta in Sicily, where they engaged in mine and artillery training exercises. As soon as it became known about a strong earthquake, the detachment commander telegraphed to St. Petersburg, requesting instructions. But even before receiving an answer, the extent of the destruction became clear. And then Vladimir Ivanovich Litvinov, without waiting for an answer, raised the signal: "The detachment is to prepare for the campaign." On the morning of December 29, Russian ships were at Messina.Entering the harbor, the sailors saw that the city practically did not exist. There are piles of ruins all around, shrouded in clouds of smoke and dust. The surviving people, mostly half-naked and insane, needed urgent medical care, food and heating. But the first task was the rescue of people covered with rubble of buildings.
To participate in rescue work, 113 officers, 164 midshipmen, 42 conductors, 2599 lower ranks left the ships, and another 20 officers, 4 conductors and 260 lower ranks from the gunboats "Gilyak" and "Koreets" that came up a little later.
On the very first day, under the open sky, Russian sailors opened a hospital where they provided first aid. The seriously wounded were placed on ships, and then they were taken to Naples. So "Slava" and "Admiral Makarov" transported more than two thousand people. Moreover, there were not enough doctors or orderlies, and the officers and sailors themselves had to look after the wounded. Perhaps the most difficult job, both physically and mentally, was when dismantling the ruins. The stench, the cadaverous smell, the mutilated bodies of the dead ... but already on the first day more than a hundred people were saved. They dug it out by hand, and in the ruins with ongoing tremors, the danger threatened almost equally both the rescued and the rescuers. But the sailors made their way to places where it seemed impossible to penetrate. The teams refused food and rest - they had to be sent to the ships by force of order. In five days, according to the approximate calculation of the Russian headquarters, about 2,400 people were rescued by our teams, in fact, there were probably more rescued. Nobody did statistics. At noon the English squadron arrived. Sailors of Britain deployed field kitchens, helped to restore order in the fight against robbers and marauders.
It only remains to add to these lines that a lot of vivid evidence of the heroism and selflessness of Russian sailors is contained in the little-known book by A.M. Gorky "Earthquake in Calabria and Sicily" published in 1909 in St. Petersburg. Gorky, who lived at that time in Capri, went to Messina shortly after the earthquake, spent several days there and wrote down the stories of eyewitnesses.
The Italian government in 1910 awarded all participants in the rescue. Rear Admiral V.I. Litvinov received the Grand Cross of the Italian Crown, ship commanders and doctors - Commander's Crosses. And everyone, without exception, received a "Commemorative medal for the earthquake in Calabria-Sicily on December 28, 1908"
In February 1911, the cruiser "Aurora" (so familiar to us) made a training voyage in the Mediterranean, during which she went to Messina to receive awards and gifts for the participants in the rescue epic. The municipality gave the cruiser a memorial letter, which later ended up in the collections of the St. Petersburg Naval Museum. After the Messinian events, the population of Italy began to treat Russian sailors with even greater respect. In all the Italian seaside cities they visited, the inhabitants expressed their deep gratitude to them. The commander of the cruiser "Oleg", which was in the Mediterranean in 1913-14. wrote in his report that the crew "greeted the most cordial and attentive attitude in Italian ports ...
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Do the current residents of Messina remember the selfless help of Russian sailors? Remember! In the current "big Messina" (as well as in any city) there are new areas that were formerly outlying villages, which, like the whole city, were also completely destroyed by the earthquake. So, in each of these areas there is a street dedicated to the memory of Russian sailors. They all wear similar titles: "Street of Russian heroes-sailors of 1908", "Street of Russian sailors", "Street of Russian sailors of the Baltic squadron". In subsequent years, repeatedly, local city authorities invited our military sailors to visit. So in January 1930, for the first time, Soviet sailors visited here - the Baltics, who made the transition from Kronstadt to Sevastopol as part of the battleship "Paris Commune" and the cruiser "Profintern" led by L.M. Galler, and in October a detachment of ships Black Sea Fleet, which included the cruiser Chervona Ukraine, the destroyers Nezamozhnik and Shaumyan under the command of Yu.V. Shelting. In Messina, the Italians, in conversations with the Red Navy, with a sense of gratitude, again recalled the selfless actions of Russian sailors in 1908, and also expressed their gratitude to the Soviet people who took an active part in 1928 in search of the crew of the Italia airship, which crashed in the Arctic. That January, A.M. Gorky visited the ships. He attended the evening of amateur performances and made a short report on his creative work.
Somehow, during the period of my service in the cockpit, the conversation turned to visits, and at that time there were quite a few of them, both official and business. They differed both in content and in relation to us - Soviet military sailors. I remember that a seconded foreman told us about a recent visit to Italy.
He mentioned the unusually warm welcome and hospitality of the Italians. To be honest, I didn't quite believe it. And that's why. In those years there was " cold war", besides, Italy is a member of NATO. No, it was hard to believe, but it turns out I was really wrong. In that 1973, after a forty-year break, mutual visits of warships of the USSR and Italy resumed. In the second half of September, a detachment visited Sevastopol and Odessa Italian warships, and from October 15 to 22, a return visit was made by Soviet ships as part of the cruiser "Admiral Ushakov" and the BOD "Brave" under the command of Rear Admiral L.Ya. Vasyukov. First they visited the port of Taranto, and then Messina. Their stay here was a great event for the Italian people.
65 years have passed since the Messinian tragedy of 1908, but the feat of Russian sailors in Italy is not forgotten. From generation to generation, the story of the nobility of the sailors of the Russian squadron is passed down in the families of hereditary Messinians. "They were the first to come to our aid," was the headline of the correspondence in the local newspaper before the visit of our ships. During the days of their visit, the Soviet sailors were visited by Almeido Attillo, who told how he, an 11-year-old boy, was taken from the ruins by Russian sailors.
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Three years later, in 1976, from September 17 to September 22, another detachment of Soviet ships was visiting the port of Messina, consisting of the command cruiser Zhdanov and the large anti-submarine ship Bold. By that time, the ships had already been in combat service in the Mediterranean for four months. The visit was led by the commander of the 5th squadron, Vice Admiral V.I.Akimov.
Here is what the foreman of the 1st article of the reserve, Vladimir Patosin, who served on the cruiser in BCH-5, the first engine room, recalls about that event. “The sunset is magnificent both in terms of the warmth of the reception and the beauty of the places. I remember an unusual bay with an old fortress. The most amazing thing is that the events of 1908 are still remembered and honored in the city! thousands of Messinians.We managed to go to the city on excursions 1-2 times, someone visited the city of Taormina and somewhere else.
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| photo by V. Patosin |
And here is what Sergei Filippovsky, who served in the RTS, writes about those days. "I, like others, remember the hospitality of the Messinians, their openness. We felt all this during bus excursions to Taormino and Seracusa, walking around the city and meeting on board ships. Remembering those days, I also remembered such a curious moment that happened in the first minutes of the visit. Our cruiser was the first to approach the pier. After the mooring was completed, the flag was transferred from the hafel to the flagpole in the stern. The ship was announced "Big collection" on the quarterdeck. At this time, the BOD "Brave" was moored next to us. However, the commander "Brave" didn't calculate the speed a bit, as a result of which the BOD began to lean with the bow on our flagpole with the flag. In front of hundreds of Messinians and our entire crew, the flag fell ... Those were indescribable seconds, there was a mixed feeling of horror, shame and resentment ... Saved position of the signalmen. They quickly tore off the stalk from some kind of mop and attached a flag to it, and one of them stood in place of the flagpole. Well, after the construction they eliminated the damage. "
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Another participant in that visit, Valery Dmitrienko, who served on the Zhdanov, in the BCh-4, first division, says: "In the second decade of September 1976, the squadron headquarters moved to the Leningrad anti-ship missile. The cruiser crew began preparing an official visit to Italy, the port Messina.Early on the morning of September 11, the signalmen of our division established a VHF connection with the Italians.As an assistant to the communications officer, I reported this to the commander of the combat communications unit, Captain 2nd Rank Feshchuk An.A. Soon, a majestic panorama of the bay, the city and its environs spread out before us. "Zhdanov" and BOD "Courageous" were moored, as it were, in the center of the city and, as the Italians told us, exactly in the place where the ships of the Baltic squadron were stationed.
We were received well. One day a solemn wreath-laying ceremony took place. It was attended by a guard of honor from our ships, as well as the USSR military attache in Italy, the commander of the cruiser Captain 1st Rank Shakun An.M., the commander of the "Brave", the command of the naval base and other officials.
Small expositions about the USSR Navy were organized on the forecastle and poop of the cruiser, many residents of the city, sailors and officers of the Italian naval forces visited the ships. Under the warm sun of Messina, laughter often sounded at these meetings, smiles shone on their faces and, of course, souvenirs were exchanged briskly. Especially from naval paraphernalia. The crews of our ships were given buses, on which we made trips to neighboring cities, such as Syracuse and the same Taormina. They turned out to be interesting and informative. One thing I can say is that those impressions remained for a lifetime!
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photo from Valery Dmitrienko's album
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photo from Alexey Kurdanin's album
In 1978, Messina celebrated the seventieth anniversary of the tragic events. In connection with this, a book by Rosa Maria Palermo di Stefano and Vittorio di Paolo was published. "1908. Russian sailors in Messina". That year, a commemorative plaque was installed on the building of the city municipality. The inscription on it reads: "In memory of the generous assistance provided by the crews of the Russian warships Bogatyr", "Tsesarevich", "Makarov", "Slava" to the inhabitants of Messina, which suffered from the earthquake on December 28, 1908. A municipality that appreciates the gesture of human solidarity and the highest heroism, installed this marble plaque on the occasion of the welcome visit of Soviet representatives as evidence of the eternal memory and fraternal friendship of the city of Messina with the Russian people.
As an honored guest, Messina was then hosted by the large anti-submarine ship "Resolute", which arrived on a visit. That date was also celebrated in the Soviet Union. So, for example, this postage stamp was issued.
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Another twenty years passed when, at the invitation of the municipality of Messina, the BOD "Kerch" went there to take part on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Messina earthquake and the heroic help of Russian sailors. The visit was led by the Deputy Commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Rear Admiral A. Kovshar.
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Years fly by. But there is full confidence that while the grateful Memory of the Messinians is alive, the Russian St. Andrew's flag will fly more than once in the harbor of this wonderful port city!
Messina is a beautiful jewel in the crown of Italian cities. It has an ancient history - the first mention of this settlement dates back to 730 BC. Located on the coastline of the Strait of Messina, the city has become not only shopping center, but also the core of the entire agricultural region, specializing in the cultivation of citrus crops.
In the history of the city there were many events that led to its decline, but Messina was restored and flourished again. One of such tragic events for the city was the earthquake that occurred on December 28, 1908. By chance, Russian sailors became participants in the rescue operation.
After the end of the Russo-Japanese War, as a result of which the Russian navy was drained of blood, the authorities were faced with the acute issue of training personnel for the formation commanders warships. To this end, in the spring of 1906, a special detachment of ships was formed, which included two battleships - "Tsesarevich" and "Glory" and the cruisers "Bogatyr" and "Admiral Makarov". The command of the detachment was entrusted to Rear Admiral V.I. Litvinov. The ships accommodated interns: 135 graduates of the naval corps of Peter the Great, 23 mechanics, 6 graduates of the engineering institute and several apprentices of the Baltic Fleet quartermasters. Before the trip, the detachment was visited by the Sovereign Emperor, who urged the sailors to behave properly in overseas countries, since they are envoys of their homeland.
In October 1908, the ships entered the Gulf of Finland and headed for the Mediterranean Sea, according to the exercise plan.
After completing the training tasks of the campaign on December 15, 1908, the detachment arrived at the Italian port of Augusta, located on the east coast of Sicily at a distance of about 70 miles from Messina.
On the morning of December 28, tremors occurred in Messina, which led to the displacement of sections of the bottom of the Strait of Messina. Huge waves suddenly hit the morning city. At the same time, three strong tremors occurred, which caused the collapse of buildings in almost twenty settlements located in the coastal strip of Sicily and Calabria.
The sailors of the Russian squadron were awakened by a powerful rumble, and then everyone heard blows on the ship's hull. A huge wave burst into the port bay, turning the ships anchored in it 180 degrees. After a few minutes, the situation returned to normal, only a slight wave was observed on the water surface.
In the evening of the same day, the captain of the port and the Russian consul A. Makeev turned to the commander of the detachment with a request to provide assistance to the population of Messina, who found themselves, practically, in the epicenter of the earthquake. Having sent information about what had happened to Petersburg, the detachment commander ordered the ships to prepare for sailing to Messina.
During the transition, the sailors of the detachment prepared to provide emergency assistance to the victims: they formed rescue units, the groups were supplied with tools, food and water. Infirmaries were prepared to receive the victims. The doctors were supervised by an experienced doctor A. Bunge, who had a good practice of working in the extreme conditions of the Arctic.
When the ships arrived at the Messina raid, the sailors saw huge destruction: all houses and port facilities were destroyed. The surviving residents, distraught with grief, pain, loss of loved ones, asked for help. Cries of the wounded were heard from under the rubble, numerous fires were observed in the city.
Russian sailors began clearing the rubble. The work was further complicated by the fact that tremors continued, collapses in the rubble threatened the lives of sailors dismantling the remains of buildings.
Here is what Harald Karlovich Graf writes: << крейсер,Адмирал Макаров, первым поднял пары и вышел в море. Мы снялись с якоря ещё не имея достаточно паров во всех котлах и по этому шли средним ходом, но потом подняли до полного. Все только и говорили об этой катастрофе, но не представляли грандиозности разрушений и гибели такого количества людей. Во время перехода командир приказал докторам собрать все наличные перевязочные средства и со всем медицинским персоналом приготовится к съеду на берег. Кроме того, было приказано двум ротам надеть рабочие платье и высокие сапоги и приготовить верёвки, ломы, кирки и лопаты. Скоро на горизонте показались высокие столбы дыма, и чем ближе мы подходили к Мессине, тем ярче вырисовывались пожары и разрушения. В нескольких местах вырывалось пламя. Фактически весь город был разрушен.Всюду виднелись полуразрушенные дома. В гавани затонуло несколько пароходов, и их стенки покосились и дали трещины. Кое где на набережной виднелись люди, которые махали руками и что-то кричали. Очевидно звали на помощь. Перед командиром встал вопрос отдать ли якорь на рейде или войти в гавань. Если встать на рейде,далеко от берега, то нельзя оказать быструю и интенсивную помощь, а войдёшь в гавань- подвергнешься большому риску, так как несомненно,что её дно деформировалось… и тогда там застрянем. Но командир не долго колебался и решил рисковать и войти в гавань…Увидя входящий крейсер, на набережной стала собираться толпа обезумевших от пережитых ужасов жителей. Все кричали и размахивали руками, разобрать,что они кричат, мы не могли. Во всяком случае, они с большой готовность помогали нам завести швартовы и притащили большую сходню…
Our help was especially valuable because we were the first to arrive at the crash site. We didn't have to be persuaded. Both companies, doctors, paramedics and orderlies immediately went ashore. The latter immediately opened a sanitary station. And the companies were divided into small groups and began excavations, at the direction of local residents. The challenge was to look for survivors. But the help of the sailors was not limited to this. The wounded were taken to the cruiser, provided them with first aid, and prepared to be sent to Naples. The news of Russian rescuers quickly spread throughout the city, from all areas to the port, to the cruiser, Makarov, they began to deliver the seriously wounded, they were placed on deck and in cabins. But more and more thousands of injured funds arrived, there was not enough ... from the family of the Russian consul in Messina, only one wife survived, seriously wounded, she was sent on an armadillo, Tsesarevich, to Syracuse. Meanwhile, the sailors who remained on the shore, risking their lives every moment, under the threat of new collapses, continued to dig up the rubble. The groans heard from under the ruins forced them to rush, forgetting fatigue and fear for their lives. The prayers of relatives, whose loved ones were under the rubble of buildings, only intensified the colossal stress in which our sailors and officers carried out their rescue work. When in the evening the command came to return to the cruiser, many at first disobeyed the order, continuing the dangerous and hard work on which the lives of hundreds and hundreds of Messinians then depended. >>
In the dressing stations deployed in the shortest possible time, it turned out health care. As it turned out later, this beneficence saved the lives of many residents. Subsequently, the crews of the arrived English squadron joined the Russian rescuers.
There were not enough doctors or orderlies in assisting the victims of Messina, both on the shore and on the ships, and the officers and sailors themselves had to care for the wounded. Thus, the junior navigational officer provided significant assistance to the medical staff. battleship"Tsesarevich" Ivan Kononov 2nd, knowing how to make dressings. The Russian sailors removed the victims from under the ruins to the medical posts created under the canopies. Many of the wounded made their way here on their own. Directly in the open air, tables were set up, on which the ship's doctors, with the help of orderlies, provided them with first surgical aid, applied bandages, brought the unconscious to consciousness, and performed operations. Although they were not thorough, they were timely, and this saved the lives of many victims.
Rescue teams worked around the clock. More than two thousand victims were removed from the rubble by Russian sailors.
The wounded, the sick, children and the elderly were taken on Russian ships to the nearest Italian cities that were not affected by the elements: Naples, Palermo and Syracuse. Returning to Messina, the ships delivered purchased provisions, dressings and disinfectants.
According to available information, about 44% of the inhabitants of settlements died as a result of the Messinian earthquake, which took upon themselves the strongest blows of the elements. 100 thousand lives were claimed by this most powerful European earthquake.
Subsequently, Italian doctors wrote a letter of thanks to the Russian Minister of Marine, in which they noted the selfless work of the sailors and the fraternal care for the victims of Messina, assuring him that Italy would always remember the help of Russian sailors.
The Italian government awarded orders to doctors and the command of the ships.
For participation in the rescue of people by the Italian government in 1910 were awarded:
Rear Admiral Vladimir Litvinov - Grand Cross of the Order of the Italian Crown,
flagship doctor of the Baltic detachment Alexander Bunge - Grand Officer's Cross of the Order of the Italian Crown,
The commander's cross of St. Mauritius and Lazarus was awarded to: flag-captain captain 2nd rank Kazimir Pogrebensky, commander of the battleship "Tsesarevich" captain 1st rank Pavel Lyubimov, senior doctor of the battleship "Tsesarevich" Nikolai Novikov, commander of the battleship "Glory" captain 1st rank Eduard Ketler, chief doctor of the battleship Slava E. Emelyanov, commander of the cruiser Bogatyr captain 1st rank Nikolai Petrov 2nd, chief doctor of the cruiser Bogatyr F. Glasko, commander of the cruiser Admiral Makarov captain 1st rank Vladimir Ponomarev, senior doctor of the cruiser "Admiral Makarov" Yu.Karuzhas,
The officer's cross of St. Mauritius and Lazarus was awarded to junior doctors: the battleship "Tsesarevich" - Adam Shishlo, the battleship "Glory" - Yevgeny Kallina, the cruiser "Bogatyr" - Pyotr Bachinsky, the doctor of the gunboat "Koreets" Nikolai Vostrosablin,
Commander's Cross of the Order of the Italian Crown was awarded to: Vladimir Lubo, junior doctor of the cruiser Admiral Makarov; commander of the Gilyak gunboat, Captain 2nd rank Peter Paton-Fanton de Verraion; Korsakov, doctor of the gunboat "Gilyak" Vladimir Goss.
Order of the Italian Crown (did not bother with degrees)
Mauritius and Lazarus
More than 6 thousand soldiers and 300 doctors took part in the rescue operation. Only on January 3, the local authorities, thanking the Russian military, informed them that they were now able to cope on their own. A detachment of Russian ships continued on its way: first to Augusta, and then to Alexandria.
Messina has not forgotten her saviors. Two years later, with the money collected by the inhabitants of Messina, a gold medal was cast, which was decided to award the Russian fleet, as well as a sculptural composition depicting Russian sailors rescuing people from under the rubble of buildings.
These tokens of gratitude were presented to the commander of the cruiser "Aurora", which arrived in the harbor of Messina in March 1911.
Until now, the inhabitants of the city keep the memory of the feat of Russian sailors. Many streets of Messina are named after the Russian rescuers of the Baltic squadron. On the memorial plaque fixed on the municipal building in 1978, it is written that it was installed in memory of the generous help of the crews of Russian ships during the December earthquake in 1908.
A hundred years later, the Messinians celebrated this tragic date. The most touching thing is that the descendants of the residents remember the Russian sailors who came to the aid of the city's population. Grateful Messinians still call Russian sailors "blue angels" - because they appeared unexpectedly from the sea and their uniform was blue.
In 1910, the Italian government decided to reward the participants in the rescue operation. By Royal Decree of June 5, 1910, the following were awarded:
- the commander of the detachment - an order and a gold medal;
- ship commanders - orders and large silver medals with the inscription "For helping the victims during the disaster in Messina and Calabria";
- The Russian fleet - a large gold medal;
- ships - large silver medals;
- all participants without exception - small silver medals with the inscription "In memory of the disaster that befell Messina and Calabria."
The same awards were intended for other crews of foreign ships who took part in the rescue of the inhabitants of Messina.
Since the required number of medals was not ready, their presentation was postponed to 1911.
The cruiser "Aurora", which made in 1910-1911. practical navigation, at that time was in the Mediterranean Sea. The command instructed the cruiser commander, captain 1st rank II.N. Leskov to visit the port of Messina and accept awards and gifts.
March 1, 1911. The cruiser "Aurora" arrived in Messina. The next day, a solemn ceremony took place on board the ship, at which the Italian delegation presented P.N. Leskov:
- a large gold medal and an artistically executed address of thanks to the Russian fleet;
- large gold and silver medals for V. I. Litvinov;
- large silver medals for ship commanders;
- large silver medals and diplomas for ships;
- silver medals for all participants of the rescue operation;
- numerous gifts.
According to the Main Naval Staff, the following number of sailors of the Russian fleet took part in the rescue operations in Messina:
- from the ships of the Baltic detachment: 113 officers, 164 ship midshipmen, 42 conductors and 2559 lower ranks;
- from the gunboats "Koreets" and "Gilyak", which joined the ships of the Baltic detachment: 20 officers, 4 conductors and 260 lower ranks.
Russian sailors were awarded six-line silver medals in memory of the Messinian earthquake.
REPORT TO THE HIGHEST NAME
№ 629.
Requested
THE HIGHEST PERMISSION: To accept minted. Medals by the Italian Government in memory of the disaster that befell Messina and Calabria at the end of 1908:
Gold:
TO THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN FLEET
Former Head of the Baltic Detachment, now Member of the Admiralty-Council, Vice-Admiral Litvinov
Silver:
For battleships:
"Glory" and its former commander, now retired Captain 1st Rank Ketler "Tsesarevich" and
former commander of his Captain 1st rank Lyubimov
Cruiser "Bogatyr" and its commander, Captain 1st Rank Petrov-Chernyshev
Gunboats: "Korean" and its former commander, captain of the 1st rank
Rimsky-Korsakov 2nd
"Gilyak" and its former commander, Captain 1st Rank Patton-Fanton-de-Verrayon,
so that the conferred persons wear the aforementioned medals, the conferred to the Fleet is stored in the Naval Corps, and the conferred ships are stored on the ships until they are excluded from the lists, and then they are transferred for further storage to the Naval Corps.
On the authentic hand of the Minister of the Navy, it is written: "Highest pleasure. In Tsarskoye Selo, May 16, 1911. The Minister of the Navy, Vice-Admiral Grigorovich."
REPORT TO THE HIGHEST NAME
№ 650.
Requested
HIGHEST permission: to accept and wear silver medals.
The detachment commander, ship commanders, officers, officials, midshipmen and lower ranks - 3029 people.
Authorized: October 4, 1911
RELATIONSHIP OF THE SECOND DEPARTMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE MAIN MARINE HEADQUARTERS.
September 21, 1911, No. 11677.
Conveying here in two sealed boxes 3170 Italian silver medals granted to persons who helped the victims of the earthquake in Sicily and Calabria in 1908, the Second Department has the honor to humbly ask the General Naval Headquarters not to refuse to transfer 3163 of them to the ranks of the Naval Department, named in the lists attached to the relations of the Main Naval Staff dated April 1, 1909, No. 6594 and April 3 of the same year, No. 6818, deigning to notify the Department of proper receipt of the medals, with the return of the remaining 7 medals for transfer by the Department as appropriate.
At the same time, the Department sends 143 certificates to be issued to the persons named in them, adding that the Italian Government will not issue certificates to midshipmen and lower ranks and that the award of such medals to awarded persons must be certified by the relevant authorities.
Medals which, for whatever reasons, it is not possible to award to the persons to whom they have been granted, the Department, at the request of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, humbly requests to be returned,
Participated in the rescue of the inhabitants of Messina:
Officers:
Baltic detachment 113, gunboats "Gilyak" and "Korean" 20, total 133
Ship midshipmen:
Baltic detachment 164, gunboats "Gilyak" and "Korean" 0, total 164
Conductors:
Baltic detachment 42, gunboats "Gilyak" and "Korean" 4, total 46
Lower ranks:
Baltic detachment 2559, gunboats "Gilyak" and "Korean" 260, total 2819
Total:
Baltic detachment 2878, gunboats "Gilyak" and "Korean" 284, total 3162
Russian sailors wore Messinian medals both on pentagonal blocks and on triangular ones - whoever could and wanted to.
Russian pentagonal block with a six-line Messinian medal
Sailor from the "Bogatyr" with a medal for Messina on a triangular block
What is the difference between Messinian medals?
There were several different awards, each of which had its own varieties:
- for metal
gold-silver-bronze for four-line and silver-bronze for commemorative six-line;
- to size
40mm for legal entities (ships, organizations) and 35mm (four-line) and 32mm (six-line) for individuals, of people.
I. Four-line
Medaglia di benemerenza per il terremoto calabro-siculo
Medal of Merit during the earthquake in Calabria and Sicily on December 28, 1908
Established in Rome on May 6, 1909 in two forms:
Diameter
4 cm for institutions
3.5 cm for people
Degrees: gold, silver, bronze
The inscription on the reverse in four lines"Terremoto 28 dicembre 1908 in Calabria e in Sicilia"
In addition, there were differences in the ribbon of the medal. From May 6 to October 21, the ribbon was green with 6 mm red stripes along the edges. By Royal Decree No. 719 of October 21, 1909, a decree was introduced that the color of the edgings becomes white.
Commanders of Russian ships received small gold, fleet and ships received large gold.
Plus, the commanders of the ships were awarded a commemorative six-line silver (see below).
II. Six-line commemorative.
The later La medaglia commemorativa per il terremoto calabro-siculo
The "Earthquake Commemorative Medal in Calabria and Sicily" was established by Royal Decree No. 79 of February 20, 1910, to commemorate the work of awarding the relief of the consequences of a natural disaster, in places devastated by the earthquake of December 28, 1908. The medal was issued free of charge, at the expense of the state, to foreigners [incl. officers and sailors of the Russian Imperial Fleet from the ships "Tsesarevich", "Slava", "Admiral Makarov", "Bogatyr" and gunboats "Gilyak II" and "Koreets II"], for soldiers of the royal army and navy, law enforcement officers cities and members of the Association of the Red Cross of Italy, participating in the aftermath of the earthquake on December 28, 1908 in Calabria and Sicily.
The medal was made in a single size from silver and bronze with a diameter of 32 mm.
The commemorative six-line was awarded only to people.
The inscription on the reverse in six lines: "Medaglia commemorativa - Terremoto calabro-siculo 28 dicembre 1908"
With the ribbon of this medal, everything is also not quite simple.
The medal was worn on the left chest on a silk ribbon. of blue color 33 mm wide, with a vertical white stripe in the center 11 mm wide.
By Royal Decree No. 497 of July 7, 1910, the ribbon was changed. Now she has become Green colour, 36 mm wide, with three vertical white stripes, 6 mm wide. This option is the most common.
Russian sailors received a small commemorative silver - a six-line Messinian medal.
The author of the silver six-line Messinian medals Luigi Giorgi (Italian Luigi Giorgi, 1848-1912) is a goldsmith, chief engraver of the Royal Mint in Rome and the first director-professor of the School of Medal Art.
The six-line bronze shown above is cut off the neck of S.J. (firm S.Johnson) - Stefan Johnson, Milan.
But the Italians could receive and wear two medals at once - directly for participating in the liquidation - a four-line and a commemorative six-line, and silver and bronze.
The first award for an Italian is the Order of the Italian Crown.
