His relative Galaktion Britnev served as the city mayor from 1808 to 1815 and established a private theater in Kronstadt.

Mikhail completed his education in Saint Petersburg, and then briefly worked in business in Kronstadt and Oranienbaum.

[1] One of the first government orders executed by the Britnev's plant was the Miner steamship, which was built in 1867.

The plant then mostly worked for the Russian Naval Ministry, building minesweepers and overhauling steamships.

During its first twenty years, the plant had completed approximately 60 steamships and barges.