ASTRILD and GEDAN Swedish warships.

[aukepalmhof]

The Northern War (the war for the access to the Baltic Sea).
In 1701-1703 the Russian Army took in position on the coast of the Finnish Gulf and started advancement towards the mouth of the River Neva.
On 05 May 1703 Swedish ships ASTRILD and GEDAN entered the Neva from the Finnish Gulf. (Have noting on this two vessel so al info is welcome.)

ASTRIL was a snow/brig armed with 8 guns.
GEDAN, not a vessel under that name was in the Swedish Navy, the correct name is GÄDDA, she was a galley with 10 guns.

Peter the Great, decided to attack the ships using boats. The Swedish ships were encircled and overtaken. That was Peter de Great’s first success on sea, for which he was awarded the order of St. Andrew, the first Russian order.
As a result of the military campaign of 1701 – 1703 Russia acquired lands along the River Neva.

The stamp features the moment the Swedish ships were overtaken by Russians. In the upper part of the stamp there is the star and the badge of the order of St. Andrew (1698) and symbols of the naval glory of the Northern War.

The M.S. depicts a portrait of Peter de Great designed after a portrait by the painter Y. Hubraken, 1698-1748 and K.Moor 1665-1738. In the margin of the stamp are what I believe also depict the two Swedish vessels and a Russian boat chasing the two Swedish vessels.

The 2003 stamp was issued for the 300th Anniversary of the Baltic Fleet.

The Baltic Fleet was created by Peter the Great in the 18th century. The Fleet started functioning during the Northern War (1702-1721), defended Moonsund islands, Tallin and Hanko during World War II, took part in the defence of Leningrad in 1941-1944, supported the ground forces invasion in Eastland, East Prussia and East Pomerania in 1944-1945). The stamp of the souvenir sheet features the copy of the picture "Capture of two Swedish battleships GEDAN and ASTRILD by Russians at the Neva delta on May 7, 1703" painted in 1866 by A.P.Bogolyubov. The margins of the souvenir sheet feature modern battleships and aviation of the Baltic Fleet, two orders of Red Banner and St. Andrew’s flag.

Russia 2003 12R sg?, scott?
Russia 1997 2000R sg 6704, scott 6409. Mint Sheet 1997 5000R


Source: Copied from http://www.marka-art.ru/catalogs

[Anatol]

Astrild and Gedan -Swedish ships
Cabo Verde 2015;350d;SG? Botswana 2015;P7,60;SG?

[Anatol]

Аstrid and Gedan 1703. Republiс of West Papua 2013;3000;SG?