The novel "Tsushima" is a significant work of Russian literature. Interestingly, some characters described by Alexey Novikov-Priboem had real prototypes. For example, the stoker Baklanov was based on the telegraphist of the cruiser "Oryol," Tikhon Lavrentyevich Baklanov. He was an extraordinary man and was remembered by his comrades for his oddities and untidiness.

Once, after finishing his watch, Baklanov, all dirty, accidentally ran into Admiral Zinovy Rozhestvensky. The squadron commander angrily ordered: "Wash this creature thoroughly! Spare neither soda nor soap! And scrub him well with sand!" The sailors took the order literally. The unfortunate Baklanov was stripped and scrubbed with soap, doused with water. After these procedures, Tikhon Lavrentyevich looked almost radiant!

Baklanov also became famous for his cunning and treachery. There is a known case when he threw his dirty canvas deck chair into the laundry of a young sailor. It was extremely difficult to wash, and the poor recruit struggled with it for several hours. When the work was done, Tikhon Lavrentyevich, feigning dissatisfaction, grumbled: "What are you doing, fool, grabbing other people's things?! Can't you see that it doesn't have your number?"

An amazing incident occurred after the Battle of Tsushima. Expecting to surrender, the sailor remembered that there was a barrel of rum left on the ship. He persuaded several comrades to empty it before the Japanese arrived. However, the battalion officer resolutely opposed and opened the tap, releasing the alcohol into the sea. But Tikhon Lavrentyevich did not lose his composure and began to drink straight from the tap.

When the Japanese arrived and took the ship's priest, the drunken sailor suddenly shouted to him: "Farewell, goat in a sarafan." Despite all these oddities, Tikhon Lavrentyevich served responsibly. He was known as a master of intercepting messages from Japanese ships. Some of his manuscripts and diaries were used by Novikov-Priboem in writing the legendary "Tsushima."