"With the extermination of the Turkish squadron, you have adorned the chronicle of the Russian fleet with a new victory, which will forever remain memorable in naval history."
Emperor Nicholas I
"The extermination of the Turkish fleet in Sinop by a squadron under my command cannot but leave a glorious page in the history of the Black Sea Fleet."
P. S. Nakhimov
December 1 is the Day of Russian Military Glory. This is the day of the victory of the Russian squadron under the command of Vice Admiral Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov over the Turkish squadron at Cape Sinop.
The battle took place in the harbor of Sinop on the Black Sea coast of Turkey on November 18 (30), 1853. The Turkish squadron was defeated within a few hours. The Battle of Cape Sinop was one of the major battles of the Crimean (Eastern) War, which began as a conflict between Russia and Turkey. In addition, it went down in history as the last major battle of the sailing fleets. Russia received a serious advantage over the armed forces of the Ottoman Empire and dominance in the Black Sea (before the intervention of the great Western powers).
This naval battle was an example of the brilliant training of the Black Sea Fleet, led by one of the best representatives of the school of Russian military art. Sinop amazed all of Europe with the perfection of the Russian fleet, fully justified the many years of persistent educational work of Admirals Lazarev and Nakhimov.
A. P. Bogolyubov. Extermination of the Turkish fleet in the Battle of Sinop
Background
In 1853, another war between Russia and Turkey began. It led to a global conflict involving the world's leading powers. An Anglo-French squadron entered the Dardanelles. Fronts were opened on the Danube and in the Transcaucasus. Petersburg, which counted on a quick victory over the Porte, decisive advancement of Russian interests in the Balkans and a successful solution to the problem of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, received the threat of war with the great powers with dim prospects. There was a threat that the Ottomans, followed by the British and French, would be able to provide effective assistance to the Shamil highlanders. This led to a new large-scale war in the Caucasus and a serious threat to Russia from the south.
In the Caucasus, Russia did not have enough troops to simultaneously contain the offensive of the Turkish army and fight the mountaineers. In addition, the Turkish squadron supplied the troops on the Caucasian coast with weapons and ammunition. Therefore, the Black Sea Fleet received two main tasks: 1) hastily transport reinforcements from the Crimea to the Caucasus; 2) strike at the enemy's sea communications. Prevent the Ottomans from landing a large landing on the eastern coast of the Black Sea in the area of Sukhum-Kale (Sukhumi) and Poti to help the mountaineers. Pavel Stepanovich completed both tasks.
On September 13, in Sevastopol, we received an emergency order to transfer an infantry division with artillery to Anakria (Anaklia). The Black Sea Fleet was restless at that time. There were rumors of an Anglo-French squadron on the side of the Ottomans. Nakhimov immediately took over the operation. In four days he prepared the ships and placed troops on them in perfect order: 16 battalions with two batteries (more than 16 thousand people), and all the necessary weapons and equipment. On September 17, the squadron went to sea and in the morning of September 24 came to Anakria. By the evening, the unloading was completed. The operation was recognized as brilliant, there were only a few patients among the sailors of the bi soldiers.
Having solved the first problem, Pavel Stepanovich proceeded to the second. It was necessary to disrupt the enemy landing operation. A 20 thousand Turkish corps was concentrated in Batumi, which was to be transferred by a large transport flotilla (up to 250 ships). The landing was to be covered by the squadron of Osman Pasha.
At this time, Prince Alexander Menshikov was the commander of the Crimean Army and the Black Sea Fleet. He sent a squadron of Nakhimov and Kornilov to search for the enemy. On November 5 (17), VA Kornilov met the Ottoman 10-gun steamer Pervaz-Bahre, sailing from Sinop. The steamer frigate Vladimir (11 guns) under the flag of the chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet Kornilov attacked the enemy. The commander of the "Vladimir" Lieutenant-Commander Grigory Butakov was in charge of the battle. He used the high maneuverability of his ship and noticed the enemy's weakness - the lack of guns at the stern of the Turkish steamer. Throughout the battle, I tried to keep myself so as not to fall under the fire of the Ottomans. The three-hour battle ended with a Russian victory. This was the first battle of steam ships in history. Then Vladimir Kornilov returned to Sevastopol and ordered Rear Admiral FM Novosilsky to find Nakhimov and reinforce him with the battleships Rostislav and Svyatoslav, and the Aeneas brig. Novosilsky met with Nakhimov and, having fulfilled the order, returned to Sevastopol.
Nakhimov with a detachment from the end of October cruised between Sukhum and part of the Anatolian coast, where Sinop was the main port. The vice admiral, after meeting with Novosiltsev, had five 84-gun ships: "Empress Maria", "Chesma", "Rostislav", "Svyatoslav" and "Brave", as well as the frigate "Kovarna" and the brig "Aeneas". On November 2 (14), Nakhimov issued an order for the squadron, where he notified the commanders that in the event of a meeting with an enemy "superior to us in forces, I will attack him, being absolutely sure that each of us will do his job."
Every day they waited for the appearance of the enemy. In addition, there was an opportunity to meet with British ships. But there was no Ottoman squadron. We met only Novosilsky, who brought two ships, replacing the ones worn by the storm and sent to Sevastopol. On November 8, a fierce storm broke out, and the vice admiral was forced to send 4 more ships for repair. The situation was critical. The strong wind continued after the storm on November 8.
On November 11, Nakhimov approached Sinop and immediately sent a brig with the news that an Ottoman squadron was stationed in the bay. Despite the significant enemy forces, standing under the protection of 6 coastal batteries, Nakhimov decided to blockade the Sinop Bay and wait for reinforcements. He asked Menshikov to send the ships Svyatoslav and Brave, the frigate Kovarna and the steamer Bessarabia, sent for repairs. The admiral also expressed bewilderment why the frigate "Kulevchi", which was idle in Sevastopol, had not been sent to him, and two additional steamers needed for cruising had not been sent. Nakhimov was ready to join the battle if the Turks went for a breakthrough. However, the Turkish command, although at that time had an advantage in forces, did not dare to engage in a general battle or simply go for a breakthrough. When Nakhimov reported that the Ottoman forces in Sinop, according to his observations, were higher than previously assumed, Menshikov sent reinforcements - a squadron of Novosilsky, and then a detachment of Kornilov's steamers.
Fight of the steam-frigate "Vladimir" with the Turkish-Egyptian warship "Pervaz-Bahri" on November 5, 1853. A. P. Bogolyubov
Forces of the parties
Reinforcements arrived on time. On November 16 (28), 1853, Nakhimov's detachment was reinforced by the squadron of Rear Admiral Fyodor Novosilsky: 120-gun battleships Paris, Grand Duke Constantine and Three Saints, frigates Cahul and Kulevchi. As a result, under the command of Nakhimov there were already 6 battleships: 84-cannon Empress Maria, Chesma and Rostislav, 120-cannon Paris, Grand Duke Constantine and Three Saints, 60-cannon frigate Kulevchi "and 44-gun" Cahul ". Nakhimov had 716 guns, from each side the squadron could fire a salvo weighing 378 poods 13 pounds. The 76 guns were bombs that fired explosive bombs with great destructive power. Thus, the advantage was on the side of the Russian fleet. In addition, Kornilov was in a hurry to help Nakhimov with three steam frigates.
The Turkish squadron consisted of 7 frigates, 3 corvettes, several auxiliary vessels and a detachment of 3 steam frigates. In total, the Turks had 476 naval guns, supported by 44 coastal guns. The Ottoman squadron was led by the Turkish Vice Admiral Osman Pasha. The second flagship was Rear Admiral Hussein Pasha. The squadron had an English advisor, Captain A. Slade. The detachment of steamers was commanded by Vice Admiral Mustafa Pasha. The Turks had their own advantages, the main of which were anchorage in a fortified base and the presence of steamers, while the Russians had only sailing ships.
Admiral Osman Pasha, knowing that the Russian squadron was guarding him at the exit from the bay, sent an alarming message to Istanbul, asked for help, greatly exaggerating the strength of Nakhimov. However, the Turks were late, the message was transmitted to the British on November 17 (29), a day before the attack of the Russian fleet. Even if Lord Stratford-Radcliffe, who at that time was actually in charge of Porta's policy, had ordered the British squadron to go to the aid of Osman Pasha, help would have been late anyway. Moreover, the British ambassador in Istanbul had no right to start a war with the Russian Empire, the admiral could refuse.
N. P. Medovikov. P. S. Nakhimov during the Battle of Sinop on November 18, 1853
Nakhimov's plan
The Russian admiral, as soon as reinforcements arrived, decided not to wait, immediately enter the Sinop Bay and attack the enemy. In essence, Nakhimov took a risk, albeit a well-calculated one. The Ottomans had good naval and coastal guns, and with the appropriate leadership, the Turkish forces could inflict serious damage on the Russian squadron. However, the once formidable Ottoman fleet was in decline, both in terms of combat training and leadership.
The Turkish command itself played up to Nakhimov, placing the ships extremely inconvenient for defense. First, the Ottoman squadron was positioned like a fan, a concave arc. As a result, the ships closed off the firing sector of part of the coastal batteries. Secondly, the ships were located at the very embankment, which made it impossible for them to maneuver and fire with two sides. Thus, the Turkish squadron and coastal batteries could not fully resist the Russian fleet.
Nakhimov's plan was imbued with determination and initiative. The Russian squadron, in the formation of two wake columns (the ships followed one after the other along the course line), received an order to break through to the Sinop roadstead and strike at the enemy ships and batteries. The first column was commanded by Nakhimov. It included the ships "Empress Maria" (flagship), "Grand Duke Constantine" and "Chesma". The second column was led by Novosilsky. It included "Paris" (2nd flagship), "Three Saints" and "Rostislav". The movement in two columns was supposed to reduce the time of passage of ships under the fire of the Turkish squadron and coastal batteries. In addition, it facilitated the deployment of Russian ships in battle formation when anchored. In the rearguard were frigates, which were supposed to stop the enemy's attempts to escape. The targets of all ships were assigned in advance.
At the same time, the ship commanders had a certain independence in the choice of targets, depending on the specific situation, while fulfilling the principle of mutual support.“In conclusion, I will express the idea,” wrote Nakhimov in the order, “that all preliminary instructions under changed circumstances can make it difficult for a commander who knows his business, and therefore I leave everyone completely independent to act at their own discretion, but certainly do their duty.”
Battle
At dawn on November 18 (30), Russian ships entered the Sinop Bay. At the head of the right column was Pavel Nakhimov's flagship "Empress Maria", at the head of the left column was Fyodor Novosilsky's "Paris". The weather was unfavorable. At 12:30 the Ottoman flagship, the 44-gun Avni-Allah, opened fire, followed by guns from other ships and coastal batteries. The Turkish command hoped that the strong barrage of naval and coastal batteries would prevent the Russian squadron from breaking through at close range and would force the Russians to retreat. Perhaps it will cause severe damage to some ships that can be captured. Nakhimov's ship went ahead and stood closest to the Ottoman ships. The admiral stood in the captain's cabin and watched the fierce artillery battle unfolding.
The victory of the Russian fleet was marked in just over two hours. Turkish artillery showered the Russian squadron with shells, was able to cause significant damage to some ships, but failed to sink a single one. The Russian admiral, knowing the techniques of the Ottoman commanders, foresaw that the main enemy fire would initially be concentrated on the mast (above deck parts of the ship's equipment), and not on the decks. The Turks wanted to incapacitate as many Russian sailors as possible when they would remove the sails before anchoring the ships, as well as disrupt the ships' controllability and impair their maneuvering capabilities. And so it happened, the Turkish shells broke the yards, topmills, holes in the sails. The Russian flagship took over a significant part of the enemy strike, most of its spars and standing rigging were destroyed, and only one shroud remained intact at the mainmast. After the battle, 60 holes were counted in one side. However, the Russian sailors were below, Pavel Stepanovich ordered to anchor the ships without removing the sailing equipment. All of Nakhimov's orders were executed exactly. The frigate "Avni-Allah" ("Aunni-Allah") could not stand the confrontation with the Russian flagship and after half an hour threw itself ashore. The Turkish squadron lost its control center. Then the "Empress Maria" bombarded the 44-gun frigate "Fazli-Allah" with shells, which also could not stand the duel and threw itself ashore. The admiral transferred the battleship's fire to battery # 5.
I. K. Aivazovsky. "Sinop battle"
The ship "Grand Duke Constantine" fired at 60-gun frigates "Navek-Bahri" and "Nesimi-Zefer", 24-gun corvette "Nejmi Fishan", at battery No. 4. "Navek-Bahri" took off into the air in 20 minutes. One of the Russian shells hit the powder magazine. This explosion also destroyed battery # 4. The corpses and wreckage of the ship cluttered the battery. The battery later resumed fire, but it was weaker than before. The second frigate, after its anchor chain was broken, washed ashore. The Turkish corvette could not stand the duel and threw itself ashore. "Grand Duke Constantine" in the Battle of Sinop received 30 holes and damage to all masts.
The battleship "Chesma" under the command of Viktor Mikryukov fired at batteries No. 4 and No. 3. Russian sailors clearly followed Nakhimov's instructions for mutual support. The ship "Constantine" was forced to fight with three enemy ships and a Turkish battery at once. Therefore, the Chesma stopped firing at the batteries and concentrated all her fire on the Turkish frigate Navek-Bahri. The Turkish ship, struck by the fire of two Russian ships, took off into the air. The Chesma then suppressed the enemy batteries. The ship received 20 holes, damage to the mainmast and bowsprit.
In a similar position, when the principle of mutual support was fulfilled, the ship "Three Saints" found itself half an hour later. The battleship under the command of KS Kutrov fought the 54-gun frigate Kaidi-Zefer and the 62-gun Nizamie. Enemy shots from the Russian ship interrupted the spring (the cable to the anchor holding the ship in a given position), "Three Saints" began to unfold in the wind stern to the enemy. The ship was subjected to longitudinal fire from battery # 6, and its mast was seriously damaged. Immediately "Rostislav" under the command of Captain 1st Rank A. D. Kuznetsov, who himself was subjected to heavy shelling, stopped returning fire and focused all attention on battery No. 6. As a result, the Turkish battery was razed to the ground. "Rostislav" also forced the 24-gun corvette "Feyze-Meabud" to be washed ashore. When Warrant Officer Varnitsky was able to repair the damage on the "Prelate", the ship began to successfully fire at the "Kaidi-Zefer" and other ships, forcing them to be washed ashore. "Three Saints" received 48 holes, as well as damage to the stern, all masts and bowsprit. The help was not cheap, and "Rostislav", the ship almost flew into the air, a fire started on it, the fire crept up to the cruise chamber, but the fire was liquidated. "Rostislav" received 25 holes, as well as damage to all masts and bowsprit. More than 100 people from his team were injured.
The second Russian flagship "Paris" fought an artillery duel with the 56-gun frigate "Damiad", the 22-gun corvette "Gyuli Sefid" and the central coastal battery No. 5. The corvette caught fire and flew into the air. The battleship focused its fire on the frigate. "Damiad" could not withstand heavy fire, the Turkish team chopped off the anchor rope, and the frigate was thrown ashore. Then the "Paris" attacked the 62-gun "Nizamie", on which the flag of Admiral Hussein Pasha was held. The Ottoman ship lost two masts - foremast and mizzen masts, and a fire started on it. "Nizamie" washed ashore. The commander of the ship Vladimir Istomin in this battle showed "fearlessness and fortitude", made "prudent, skillful and quick orders." After the defeat of the Nizamie, the Paris concentrated on the central coastal battery, which provided great opposition to the Russian squadron. The Turkish battery was suppressed. The battleship received 16 holes, as well as damage to the stern and gondeck.
A. V. Ganzen "The battleship" Empress Maria "under sail"
I. K. Aivazovsky "120-gun ship" Paris ""
Thus, by 17 o'clock with artillery fire, Russian sailors destroyed 15 of the 16 enemy ships, suppressed all of its coastal batteries. Accidental cannonballs set fire to city buildings in the immediate vicinity of the coastal batteries, which led to the spread of fire and caused panic among the population.
Of the entire Turkish squadron, only one high-speed 20-gun steamer "Taif" ("Taif") managed to escape by flight, on board which was the chief adviser to the Turks on naval issues, the Englishman Slade, who, having arrived in Istanbul, reported on the destruction of Turkish ships in Sinop.
It is worth noting that the presence of two steam-frigates in the Turkish squadron seriously puzzled the Russian admiral. Admiral Nakhimov had no steamers at the beginning of the battle; they arrived only at the very end of the battle. A fast enemy ship, under the command of a British captain, could perform well in battle when the Russian ships were bound by battle, and their sailing equipment was damaged. Sailing ships in these conditions could not easily and quickly maneuver. Nakhimov reckoned with this threat to such an extent that he devoted an entire paragraph of his disposition to it (No. 9). Two frigates were left in reserve and received the task of neutralizing the actions of enemy steam frigates.
However, this reasonable precaution did not materialize. The Russian admiral assessed the possible actions of the enemy on his own. He was ready to fight even in conditions of complete superiority of the enemy, the enemy commanders thought differently. Taif's captain Slade was an experienced commander, but he was not going to fight to the last drop of blood. Seeing that the Turkish squadron was threatened with destruction, the British captain skillfully maneuvered between "Rostislav" and battery number 6, and fled towards Constantinople. The frigates "Kulevchi" and "Kahul" tried to intercept the enemy, but they could not keep up with the fast steamer. Breaking away from the Russian frigates, the Taif almost fell into the hands of Kornilov. A detachment of steam frigates Kornilov hurried to the aid of Nakhimov's squadron and collided with the Taif. However, Slade was able to escape from Kornilov's steamers.
Towards the end of the battle, a detachment of ships approached Sinop under the command of Vice Admiral V. A. Kornilov, who was in a hurry to help Nakhimov from Sevastopol. A participant in these events, B. I. Baryatinsky, who was in Kornilov's squadron, wrote: “Approaching the ship“Maria”(the flagship of Nakhimov), we board the boat of our steamer and go to the ship, all pierced by cannonballs, the shrouds are almost all killed, and when the rather strong swell of the masts swayed so that they threatened to fall. We go aboard the ship, and both admirals throw themselves into each other's arms, we all also congratulate Nakhimov. He was magnificent, a cap on the back of his head, his face was stained with blood, new epaulettes, a nose - everything was red with blood, sailors and officers … all black from powder smoke … It turned out that the "Maria" had the most killed and wounded, as Nakhimov the head of the squadron and from the very beginning of the battle became the closest to the Turkish firing sides. Nakhimov's coat, which he took off before the battle and hung it right there on a carnation, was torn by a Turkish cannonball.
I. K. Aivazovsky. “Sinop. The night after the battle, November 18, 1853"
Outcomes
The Ottoman squadron was almost completely destroyed. In the course of a three-hour battle, the Turks were defeated, their resistance was broken. A little later, they suppressed the remaining coastal fortifications and batteries, finished off the remnants of the squadron. One by one, Turkish ships took off. Russian bombs fell into the powder magazines, or fire reached them, often the Turks themselves set fire to the ships, leaving them. Three frigates and one corvette were set on fire by the Turks themselves. "Glorious battle, higher than Chesma and Navarin!" - this is how Vice-Admiral V. A. Kornilov assessed the battle.
The Turks lost about 3 thousand people, the British reported 4 thousand. Before the battle, the Ottomans prepared for boarding and put additional soldiers on the ships. Battery explosions, fires and detonations of beached ships led to a massive fire in the city. Sinop suffered greatly. The population, authorities and garrison of Sinop fled to the mountains. Later, the British accused the Russians of deliberate cruelty towards the townspeople. 200 people were taken prisoner. Among the prisoners were the commander of the Turkish squadron, Vice Admiral Osman Pasha (his leg was broken in the battle) and two ship commanders.
Russian ships fired about 17 thousand shells in four hours. The Battle of Sinop showed the importance of bombing guns for the future development of the fleet. Wooden ships could not withstand the fire of such cannons. It was necessary to develop the armor protection of ships. The highest rate of fire was shown by the gunners of the Rostislav. 75-100 shots were fired from each gun on the operating side of the battleship. On other ships of the squadron, 30-70 shots were fired from the active side with each gun. Russian commanders and sailors, according to Nakhimov, showed "truly Russian courage." The advanced education system of the Russian sailor, developed and implemented by Lazarev and Nakhimov, has proven its superiority in battle. Stubborn training, sea voyages led to the fact that the Black Sea Fleet passed the Sinop exam with excellent marks.
Some Russian ships received significant damage, they were later towed by steamers, but all remained afloat. Russian losses amounted to 37 killed and 233 wounded. Everyone noted the highest skill of the Russian Admiral Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov, he correctly took into account his forces and the forces of the enemy, took a reasonable risk, leading the squadron under fire from coastal batteries and the Omani squadron, worked out the battle plan in detail, showed decisiveness in achieving the goal. The absence of dead ships and relatively low losses in manpower confirm the reasonableness of decisions and the naval skill of Nakhimov. Nakhimov himself was, as always, modest and said that all the credit belongs to Mikhail Lazarev. The Battle of Sinop became a brilliant point in the long history of the development of the sailing fleet. It should be noted that Lazarev, Nakhimov and Kornilov understood this perfectly, being supporters of the rapid development of the steam fleet.
At the end of the battle, the ships carried out the necessary repairs and on November 20 (December 2) weighed anchor, moving to Sevastopol. On December 22 (December 4), the Russian fleet entered the Sevastopol raid with general jubilation. The entire population of Sevastopol met the victorious squadron. It was a great day. Endless "Hurray, Nakhimov!" rushed from all sides. News of the crushing victory of the Black Sea Fleet was rushing to the Caucasus, Danube, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Emperor Nikolai awarded Nakhimov with the Order of St. George, 2nd degree.
Pavel Stepanovich himself was concerned. The Russian admiral was pleased with the purely military results of the Battle of Sinop. The Black Sea Fleet brilliantly solved the main task: eliminated the possibility of a Turkish landing on the Caucasian coast and destroyed the Ottoman squadron, gaining complete domination in the Black Sea. A colossal success was achieved with little blood and material losses. After a hard search, battle and crossing the sea, all ships successfully returned to Sevastopol. Nakhimov was pleased with the sailors and commanders, they behaved superbly in the hot battle. However, Nakhimov possessed strategic thinking and understood that the main battles were still ahead. The Sinop victory will cause the appearance of the Anglo-French forces on the Black Sea, which will use every effort to destroy the combat-ready Black Sea Fleet. The real war was just beginning.
The battle of Sinop caused panic in Constantinople. They were afraid of the appearance of a Russian fleet near the Ottoman capital. In Paris and London, at first they tried to belittle and diminish the significance of the feat of the Nakhimov squadron, and then, when it became useless, as the details of the Battle of Sinop appeared, envy and hatred arose. As Count Alexei Orlov wrote, "we are not forgiven for either skillful orders or the courage to execute." A wave of Russophobia is being raised in Western Europe. The Westerners did not expect such brilliant actions from the Russian naval forces. England and France are beginning to take reciprocal steps. The British and French squadrons, which were already in the Bosphorus, on December 3 dispatched 2 steamers to Sinop and 2 to Varna for reconnaissance. Paris and London immediately gave Turkey a loan for the war. The Turks have long been asking for money without success. Sinop changed everything. France and England were preparing to enter the war, and the Battle of Sinop could force Constantinople to agree to an armistice, the Ottomans were defeated on land and sea. It was necessary to cheer up an ally. The largest bank in Paris immediately set about organizing the business. The Ottoman Empire was given a loan of £ 2 million in gold. And half of the subscription for this amount was to be covered by Paris, and the other by London. On the night of December 21-22, 1853 (January 3-4, 1854), English and French squadrons, together with a division of the Ottoman fleet, entered the Black Sea.
During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. the Soviet government instituted an order and medal in honor of Nakhimov. The order was received by officers of the Navy for outstanding successes in the development, conduct and support of naval operations, as a result of which an offensive operation of the enemy was repelled or active operations of the fleet were ensured, significant damage was inflicted on the enemy and their forces were saved. The medal was awarded to sailors and foremen for military merit.
Day of Military Glory of Russia - Victory Day of the Russian squadron under the command of P. S. Nakhimov over the Turkish squadron at Cape Sinop (1853) - celebrated in accordance with the Federal Law of March 13, 1995 "On the days of military glory (victory days) in Russia."
N. P. Krasovsky. Return of the squadron of the Black Sea Fleet to Sevastopol after the Battle of Sinop. 1863 g.
