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Abstract:

The article presents an overview of the journal “Morskoy Sbornik”, its goals and objectives, and the circle of its authors. Attention is paid to the Abkhazian topics on the pages of this publication. As an example, two texts by the Russian military engineer, Major General N.A. Shavrov “Project of the Harbor in Sukhum-Kale and Several Thoughts on the Necessity and Possibility of Its Construction” and “The Eastern Coast of the Black Sea and Its Importance for the Development of Russian Navigation” are considered. The articles reflect observations of a military- political, historical and geographical nature made by the author during official trips, and give an idea of his service. Shavrov’s authority as an expert on the Caucasus lends unconditional seriousness to the presented project for the construction of a harbor in Sukhum-Kale, the proposal to choose a place for it, and the materials for the construction of moles. Shavrov also presents an analysis of the situation concerning trade on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, the movement of goods, and the advantages and disadvantages of the protective customs system. The Black Sea is considered not from a military point of view, but from a commercial one, which was necessary to protect the domestic market from the contraband penetration of foreign goods.