Abstract: This article attempts to introduce the literary heritage of A. E. Konkevich, who is known mostly as a naval officer and public figure, into scientific circulation. However, the author’s artistic marine painting is of interest both from a historical point of view and from a literary one. Naval officer Konkevich, who dreamed of the ideal structure of the Russian Navy, not only sets out his fantasies about the composition and localization of the fleet but also puts them into artistic form. The article examines Konkevich’ s novels “Cruiser ʽRussian Hope’,” “Fatal War 18?? Year,” “Black Sea Fleet in ???? Year,” representing a trilogy about naval wars. In these works, Konkevich reveals the discussions relevant to the second half of the 19th century about the organization of the Russian Navy. The writer in a fantastic form sets out the ways of development of the Russian navy and ways of reforming it, and reviving the strength of the Russian navy and army. The author creates expressive pictures of the battle and hyperbolically contrasts the moral strength and courage of Russian sailors with the technical capabilities of the enemy and the helplessness of his crew.
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