The Baltic Fleet (Балтийский флот) is the Russian Federation Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union). The Fleet gained the '"Twice Red Banner"' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of the Order of the Red Banner. It is headquartered in Kaliningrad (formerly Königsberg in East Prussia of Imperial Germany), with its main base in Baltiysk and another base at Kronshtadt, in the Gulf of Finland. Established 18 May 1703, under Czar Peter the Great, the Fleet is the oldest Russian Navy formation.
The Imperial Russian Baltic Fleet was created during the Great Northern War at the initiative of Czar Peter the Great, who ordered the first ships for the Baltic Fleet to be constructed at Lodeynoye Pole in 1702 and 1703. The first commander was a recruited Dutch admiral, Cornelius Cruys, who in 1723 was succeeded by Count Fyodor Apraksin. In 1703, the main base of the fleet was established in Kronshtadt. One of the fleet's first actions was the taking of Shlisselburg. In 1701 Peter the Great established a special school, the School of Mathematics and Navigation (Russian: Школа математических и навигацких наук), situated in the Sukharev Tower in Moscow. As the territory to the west around the Gulf of Finland was acquired by Russia for a "warm-water" port giving access for its merchantmen and the buildup of a naval force, the city of St. Petersburg was built and developed an extensive port. The Fleet's base was moved to St. Petersburg and in 1752 it was renamed the Naval Cadet Corps. Today it is the St. Petersburg Naval Institute – Peter the Great Naval Corps.
Baltic Fleet is the work of Warrington-based musician Paul Fleming. Baltic Fleet released his self-titled debut album in 2008 on UK independent label Blow Up Records. The album was named in Rough Trade's top 50 albums of 2008 at number 29. Fleming produced the album using a laptop and any instruments that came to hand whilst he toured with Liverpool Post Punk band Echo & The Bunnymen. Fleming has also played keyboards on Echo & The Bunnymen studio albums Siberia and The Fountain.
Baltic Fleet influences include Brian Eno, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, Bowie's 'Low', Neu!, The Virgin Suicides and Eric Satie. The band is named after the legend of the Baltic fleet. Which originates from the doomed legion of British naval officers who died from plague in the late 14th century. The men were left at sea for some 4 years while the quarantine passed. They were then laid to rest on the wasteground near the docks which is now home to a Public house. Named in their honour.Clash magazine have described Baltic Fleet as an audio diarist due to the transient nature of his production.