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He was born to a modest family of minor nobility. On February 15, 1761, he signed up for the Russian Navy in Saint Petersburg. After training, he served on a galley in the Baltic fleet. In 1768 he became part of the Don Flotilla and served in the Russo-Turkish War, 1768-74. In 1775 he was made commander of a frigate, and in 1780 he was appointed commander of the imperial yachts, although he quickly rejected the court position.