One of the oldest pre-revolutionary monuments in Kronstadt is the memorial dedicated to the fallen crew of the clipper 'Oprichnik', which was opened and solemnly consecrated on October 31 (November 12) 1873. The monument is located in the southeastern part of the Summer Garden, near the building of the Kronstadt Naval Assembly. The name of the monument's author has not been preserved, but the memorial itself has miraculously survived.

The idea of creating a monument in honor of the sailors of the clipper arose in 1867, six years after its wreck. The initiators were the relatives and comrades of the deceased, who began collecting funds for its construction. On July 10, 1872, after receiving the highest permission and approval of the project, work began on the creation of the monument.

In addition to the initial donors, large patrons and the head of the naval ministry, General-Adjutant Nikolai Karlovich Krabbe, helped complete the project. He ordered the transfer of chains, an anchor, and artillery from the time of Peter the Great from the Kronstadt port. The flag and flagpole were made and installed by the Kronstadt steamship factory. Patrons Ikonnikov and Volkov donated the stone and performed all stonework free of charge. The bronze plaque depicting the clipper, located on the southern side of the monument, was lost. Instead, a metal plaque was installed with the inscription: 'In memory of those who perished on the clipper “Oprichnik” in the Indian Ocean in December 1861.'

At that time, the monument consisted of stone blocks on a stone pedestal. A small ship's anchor was placed on top, and on the front side of the upper stone, there was a plaque with the text I already mentioned. The monument was wrapped in chains that encircled the stone blocks. Around the monument, artillery from the time of Peter the Great was buried, with a chain stretched around them forming a fence for the memorial. Above it all, the St. Andrew's flag, a symbol of the Russian fleet, soared.

The opening of the monument was very solemn. On that day, in addition to the consecration of the monument itself, memorial services were held in all the churches of Kronstadt for the fallen sailors.