August 20, 1907, off the coast of Finland the Standart ran aground on a rock. Spiridovitch's first hand account:
Several small islands were on our left. We watched the Standart and the torpedo boats which followed each in turn go into the strait. But, what was that? What was happening? Before our eyes the Standart shook violently, shot forward and slowly began to lean onto her right side.
"They have run aground on a rock" the Commandant shouted.
We had to go help them. "Steer to port. Lower the boats" the Commandant shouted, and our torpedo boat made an elegant half circle and went up to the yacht. The torpedo boats following came up side by side.
At the moment of the disaster, the tsar with his family and the members of the entourage were taking tea in the lounge. All of a sudden, they heard a very loud noise. The china and window panes burst into splinters. Everyone quickly left the dining room.
The yacht was leaning on its side. From below came the sorrowful sound of bells; they had sounded the alarm. For several long seconds a very moving silence hung above the yacht.
"A shoreboat for His Majesty's descent" resounded across the yacht, Admiral Tchagine's voice sounding strangely metallic. This seemed to awaken everyone.
Everyone sprang to life and began to run. Derevenko carried the Tsarevich, who had been left in his special care, in his arms ran forward shouting. The Emperor immediately silenced him and brought him over to himself. The Tsar himself exhibited an admirable calm. Every sailor on board was performing their assigned duties in case of an alert. They lowered the boats, and closed all the watertight bulkheads. The photographer Hahn who worked all the way below decks barely escaped being trapped in his tiny darkroom by one of these watertight doors. He had just barely enough time to escape and I saw him running on the bridge, insane with fright. The Tsar's cooks wept in fear. They were calmed down by Prince Putiatin.
It was immediately clear that Their Majesties would be in danger to stay on board the yacht.
The Emperor and Empress, very emotional, began to clean up all the objects which had been thrown about in their cabins. Lt. Sabline transported all the children onto the yacht Eyleken, aboard which was the Finnish Chief Pilot Schemann and which also was where Their Majesties were very quickly installed in their own turn.
