Nikolai Nebogatov

Nikolai Ivanovich Nebogatov was a rear admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy, born on April 20, 1849, near St. Petersburg. He graduated from the Sea Cadets Corps in 1869 and rose through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant in 1874. Over his career, he commanded several ships, including Groza, Grad, Krejs, Admiral Nakhimov, and Minin. By 1901, he was promoted to rear admiral.

During the Russo-Japanese War, Nebogatov led the Third Pacific Squadron, comprising outdated ships with untrained crews, a command others had declined. His squadron included the flagship Imperator Nikolai I, Vladimir Monomakh, Admiral Ushakov, and others. They sailed via the Suez Canal to rendezvous with Rozhestvensky's fleet at Cam Ranh Bay.

At the Battle of Tsushima on May 27, 1905, Japanese forces targeted Rozhestvensky's squadron. After Rozhestvensky was wounded, Nebogatov assumed command and, recognizing their inferiority, surrendered to Admiral Togo, despite his officers' objections. Some ships escaped or were sunk post-surrender.

Nebogatov was captured, dishonorably discharged by Russia, and court-martialed with 77 others in 1906, receiving a death sentence later commuted to imprisonment. He was pardoned and released in 1909. Settling in Moscow, he died in 1922. Married to Nadezhda Petrova, they had three children. Some sources suggest he may have died as late as 1934.