The book for the first time recreates the history of the emergence of the Russian icebreaker fleet for the specified period. On the basis of archival documents, historical and technical information is given about most of the icebreaking vessels plowing the domestic waters from 1862 to 1917, as well as their drawings, diagrams and photographs. The appendix contains the "Chronicle of the history of ice navigation vessels in Russia." For the convenience of finding information, there is a "Ship Index."