This page was created by James Browning.
Order from on High
If those words of encouragement were not enough, Catherine II ordered that her 20 large warships, used to indicate the desired size of the harbor, be built within five years."We are confident that the Admiralty Board, understanding the importance and suitability of this place, and aware of the necessity to have a harbor in these seas where ships might safely anchor in case of the need of repairs, will endeavor with the zeal and diligence we know it to possess to accomplish its task through the construction of the aforementioned harbor and shipyard so that the construction of ships may commence as soon as possible"