Admiral Stepan Osipovich Makarov, an outstanding Russian naval commander, scientist, and writer, was born on January 8, 1849, in Nikolaev to a naval officer, Osip Fyodorovich Makarov, and Elizaveta Andreyevna Kirillova. The house where the future admiral was born has survived to this day.

In April 1858, the Makarov family moved to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, where Stepan entered the local naval school, beginning his military career. During his studies, he participated in expeditions and foreign voyages, receiving excellent training. In 1867, Makarov became a midshipman and was enrolled in the Naval Cadet Corps, and two years later, he was promoted to the rank of ensign. In his first year of study, he began publishing his naval articles in the 'Naval Collection.'

After receiving his officer's rank, Makarov served on the armored boat 'Rusalka,' where he began to explore the problem of ship unsinkability. His ideas about watertight compartments and main pipelines with powerful pumps became innovative. An invention known as the 'Makarov patch' was presented at an exhibition in Vienna.

Makarov continued to study issues of unsinkability and published works on this topic, attracting the attention of his superiors with his unconventional thinking. Commanding the steamer 'Grand Duke Konstantin,' he converted it for mine boats and successfully attacked Turkish ships during the Russo-Turkish War. In December 1877 and January 1878, under his leadership, self-propelled mines were used for the first time.

Makarov's methods received support from Alexander II, and his active actions caused concern for the enemy. In September 1877, he was promoted to lieutenant captain and then to captain of the 2nd rank, receiving the Order of Saint George 4th class.

After the war, Makarov continued his scientific activities and in 1880 was awarded the Small Gold Medal of the Russian Geographical Society. He conducted hydrological research in the Bosporus Strait, for which he received an award from the Academy of Sciences.

During the Akhal-Teke expedition, Makarov organized water supply from Astrakhan to Krasnovodsk and was promoted to captain of the 1st rank. General Skobelev exchanged Saint George orders with him in a sign of respect.

From 1881 to 1882, Makarov commanded the steamer 'Taman,' then the frigate 'Prince Pozharsky,' and later the corvette 'Vityaz,' on which he made a round-the-world voyage and conducted oceanographic research. In 1890, he became a rear admiral, and in 1896, a vice admiral, playing an important role in the development of the Northern Sea Route.

Makarov headed the commission for the creation of the icebreaker 'Ermak' and in 1901 made an expedition to Franz Josef Land. He was acquainted with Alexander Kolchak, who later became his associate.

For five years, Makarov was the chief commander of the Kronstadt port and the governor of Kronstadt. He warned about the onset of the Russo-Japanese War and the shortcomings of the Russian defense.

In 1904, Makarov was appointed commander of the Pacific squadron and arrived in Port Arthur. He opposed capitulation, but on April 13, 1905, he died on the battleship 'Petropavlovsk.'

Makarov's death was a tragedy for Russia. His memory is immortalized in the names of streets, educational institutions, and ships, as well as in monuments, the first of which was opened in 1913 in Kronstadt.