out what metal each of us is made of". Butakov was so passionate about boat racing, he secured annual allocations of 1500 rubles in prize money for young sailors in boat racing competitions. Butakov published a book on the subject called Rules of Boat Race. At the end of every race Butakov would analyze the mistakes made by his sailors while steering and praised those distinguished themselves in competitions. He once fired six - gun salute in honor of a midshipman's crew for their team - spirit and excellence in racing in a "steering without wheels" race. Sea mines From 1867 to 1877, Butakov served aboard an Armoured Ship Squadron in the service of the Baltic Fleet. While in the squadron, Butakov paid much attention to the improvement of sea - mine weaponry. In 1867, Butakov conducted the first experiments of sea - mines, which were engaged in experiments on laying galvanised mines under old ships and testing mine fields. In 1874, the armored frigate Petropavlovsk was first equipped with anti-torpedo artillery. During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 Butakov developed the guidelines and maps for laying mines on the fairways, which he put into practice while organizing the mine defense of Kronstadt. Following Butakov's experiments, the Officers Mine Class and Mining School for the Lower Ranks was opened. Last years On 16 October 1878, Grigory Butakov was promoted from Vice-Admiral to Admiral, and was appointed Chief Commander of the Sveaborg coastal fortifications. At the beginning of 1881, he was appointed the Chief Commander of the St. Petersburg port. In March 1882, Grigory Butakov was elected a member of the National State Council: He took this assignment at the end of his life’s work. Soon after that he fell seriously ill and died of apoplexy on 31 May 1882, while crossing the River Neva in a skiff, returning from a meeting of the State Council. He was widely mourned throughout Russia and he was buried in the Nikolskoe Cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Saint Petersburg. References 1820 births 1882 deaths Military personnel from Riga People from Kreis Riga Imperial Russian Navy admirals War Governors of Nikolayev and Sevastopol Russian military personnel of the Crimean War Recipients of the Order of St. George of the Fourth Degree Recipients of the Order of the White Eagle (Russia) Recipients of the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd class Recipients of the Order of St.