Ivan Alexandrovsky

Ivan Alexandrovsky (1817, Mitau, Courland Governorate, Russian Empire – 1894, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Empire) – an inventor of the first submarine with mechanical engine and the project of the first torpedo in the world.

Ivan Alexandrovsky was born in Mitau (Jelgava) and already demonstrated interest in artistic activities already as a child.

But at the beginning of 1850s of the painter changed his profession. He had a flair for machinery and manifested his talent in photography, becoming one of its pioneers in Russia.

Later, Ivan Alexandrovsky got interested in arms, especially, those which could combat enemy's fleet during war period. He designed the submarine which underwent successful trials, was good at manoeuvring under the water and on the surface.

The inventor was awarded the order of St. Vladimir for his achievements and appointed as state service technician.

Ivan Alexandrosky worked on the improvement of his submarine and at the same time was designing other projects. In 1867 he devised a scuba diving gear.

After working for two years on the improvement of submarine, new trials proved to be successful and made the submarine sink into the water and stay underwater for 16 hours, as well as to move atnfast speed.

Ivan Alexandrovsky lived a long life. After his death the first submarine base in the Russian Empire was established in his native Courland, in Libau (present Liepāja).

Alexander Gurin