Text: Sergey Balakin

162 years ago, on November 30, 1853 (November 18, old style), the famous Battle of Sinop took place, considered one of the largest naval victories in the history of our country. The words of Vice Admiral Kornilov are widely known, who said about the battle of Sinop: “The battle is glorious, higher than Chesma and Navarino... Hurray, Nakhimov! Lazarev rejoices at his student!” And Emperor Nicholas I awarded Vice Admiral Nakhimov the Order of St. George, 2nd degree, and wrote in a personal rescript: “By the extermination of the Turkish squadron, you decorated the chronicle of the Russian fleet with a new victory, which will forever remain memorable in naval history.” However, these enthusiastic assessments are dominated by emotions. In reality, the results of the Battle of Sinop are far from clear...

Historians know two opposing views on the Battle of Sinop. According to one of them, this battle is the greatest and indisputable victory of our fleet. But there is another point of view: they say that Sinop is a skillfully placed trap into which the clumsy “Russian bear” fell, and which predetermined the defeat of Russia in the Crimean War. Let's try to analyze the arguments of both sides.

At first glance, everything seems obvious. On November 18 (old style), 1853, a Russian squadron under the command of Vice Admiral Nakhimov, consisting of six battleships and two frigates, entered Sinop Bay and defeated the squadron of Osman Pasha stationed there. Of the twelve Turkish warships, eleven were sunk, 2,700 enemy sailors were killed, more than 550 were wounded and 150, including Osman Pasha himself, were captured. Our losses were 38 killed, 232 wounded; all ships, despite the damage received, returned to Sevastopol on their own.

Such impressive results are explained, first of all, by the quantitative and qualitative superiority of our fleet over its enemy. For example, in terms of the total weight of a broadside salvo, the Russian squadron was two and a half times larger than the Turkish one. Moreover, the Russian ships were armed with 76 heavy 68-pound guns that fired explosive bombs, deadly for wooden ships. If we also add that the training of personnel in the Turkish fleet was extremely poor, then Admiral Nakhimov could only wisely use all his advantages. Which he did, and he did it brilliantly. Figuratively speaking, the Battle of Sinop put an end to the centuries-old history of sailing fleets and anticipated the onset of a new era - the era of armor and steam.

It is not surprising that a triumphant meeting awaited Nakhimov in Sevastopol. At that moment, few people thought about how this victory would turn out for Russia...

On the eve of the Crimean War, the weakened Ottoman Empire found itself completely dependent on the Western powers - primarily on England. The strained relations between St. Petersburg and Constantinople led to Nicholas I ordering troops to be sent to Bessarabia and Wallachia. These principalities formally remained vassals of Turkey, and Sultan Abdul-Mecid declared war on Russia on October 4, 1853. At the same time, he counted on military assistance promised by London and Paris. It should be borne in mind that the British were quite happy with the existing state of the Ottoman Empire, but they sought to prevent the strengthening of Russia. Therefore, British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston openly stated that in the event of an attack by the Russian fleet on Turkish ports, England and France would use force against the “aggressor”. But in St. Petersburg they clearly underestimated the seriousness of this threat.

The decision to attack the Turkish squadron in Sinop was extremely risky. After all, it gave the West an excellent reason to “teach a lesson” to the unyielding Russian emperor, whose foreign policy London really did not like. In general, the thought involuntarily arises that the Sinop massacre was planned in advance and not without the participation of English advisers. After all, the most combat-ready Turkish ships, including all the battleships, and almost all experienced sailors remained in the Bosporus. A squadron of weak and outdated ships was sent to Sinop, moreover, staffed with inexperienced recruits - yesterday's peasants. The presence of ground forces on Osman Pasha's squadron, allegedly transported to the Caucasus (this was repeatedly mentioned in various publications), is not confirmed by documents. That is, everything suggests that the squadron destroyed in Sinop was just a bait, obviously sent for slaughter...

Well, what happened next is well known. A coalition of Western states (Great Britain, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia) declare war on Russia. The Anglo-French fleet enters the Black Sea and troops land in Balaklava. Then - the battle on Alma, the siege of Sevastopol, the self-sinking of the Black Sea Fleet, the death of admirals Nakhimov, Kornilov, Istomin... The Paris Congress, at which Russia admitted its defeat... By the way, in the ranks of the anti-Russian coalition under the flags of the Zaporozhye Sich, the “Slavic Legion” marched under the command of Mikhail Tchaikovsky, or Sadyk Pasha, as the Turks called him...

So, what is the Battle of Sinop? In our opinion, his most balanced assessment looks like this: in tactical terms, this is an indisputable military victory, in strategic terms, this is a blunder that led to Russia’s defeat in the war. However, this is by no means a mistake of Russian sailors or Admiral Nakhimov. This was a mistake of the then Russian politicians and diplomats, who in the field of intrigue were unable to resist their sophisticated colleagues from London and Paris.

We must not forget about one more result of the Battle of Sinop - the moral effect it produced. The defeat of the Turkish squadron caused an unprecedented rise in morale among Russian soldiers, sailors and officers. Without this, the subsequent defense of Sevastopol would hardly have been so stubborn, and the losses of the attackers would have been so great.

So the Russian fleet can rightfully be proud of the Sinop victory.

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Battle of Sinop November 18 (30), 1853

A.P. Bogolyubov. Destruction of the Turkish fleet in the Battle of Sinop. 1854

The Crimean (Eastern) War, the reason for which was the conflict between Russia and Turkey for political influence in the Holy Land, led to a global confrontation in the Black Sea basin. The Anglo-French squadron entered the Dardanelles. Fighting began on the Danube and in Transcaucasia.

In the fall of 1853, it became known that preparations were being made to transfer a large landing of Turkish troops to the eastern coast of the Black Sea in the area of ​​Sukhum-Kale (Sukhumi) and Poti to help the highlanders. Given the current situation, the Black Sea Fleet was in a state of combat readiness. He was tasked with monitoring enemy actions in the Black Sea and preventing the transfer of Turkish troops to the Caucasus. The commander of the squadron of the Black Sea Fleet gave an order to the detachment: “The Turkish fleet went to sea with the intention of occupying the port of Sukhum-Kale that belongs to us... the enemy can only fulfill his intentions by passing us by or giving us a battle... I hope to accept the battle with honor.”

On November 11 (23), Nakhimov, having received information that the enemy squadron had taken refuge from the storm in Sinop Bay, decided to thwart the enemy’s plans by defeating it near Sinop.

The Turkish squadron, stationed in the roadstead in Sinop, had 7 frigates, 3 corvettes, 2 steam frigates, 2 brigs and 2 military transports (510 guns in total) and was protected by coastal batteries (38 guns).

The day before, a severe storm caused severe damage to the Russian squadron, after which Nakhimov was left with only three battleships, and two ships and a frigate had to be sent to Sevastopol. In addition, the steamer Bessarabia also headed to Sevastopol to replenish coal reserves. The brig Aeneas was also sent to the main base with a report from Nakhimov.

Having assessed the situation and, in particular, the possibility of an Anglo-French fleet appearing on the Black Sea, Nakhimov decided to lock the Turkish squadron in Sinop Bay until reinforcements arrived. In his report, he wrote about this: “I positively remain here cruising and will block them until the arrival of 2 ships that I sent to Sevastopol to repair the damage; then, despite the newly installed batteries... I will not think about attacking them.”

On November 16 (28), the rear admiral's squadron consisting of three ships and one frigate approached Sinop to help Nakhimov, and the next day another frigate, the Kulevchi, approached. As a result, under the command of Nakhimov there were 6 battleships and 2 frigates (720 guns in total). Of these, 76 guns were bomb guns, firing explosive bombs that had great destructive power. Thus, the Russians had the advantage. However, the enemy had a number of advantages, the main of which were parking in a fortified base and the presence of steamships, while the Russians only had sailing ships.

Nakhimov’s plan was to simultaneously and quickly enter the Sinop roadstead in a two-wake column, approach the enemy ships at a distance of 1-2 cables, stand on the spring (a method of anchoring a ship, in which you can turn the ship side in the desired direction) against Turkish ships and destroy them with naval artillery fire. Arranging ships in a two-wake column reduced the time they passed under fire from enemy ships and coastal batteries and improved the tactical position of the squadron.

The attack plan developed by Nakhimov contained clear instructions for preparing for battle and conducting artillery fire, which was supposed to destroy the enemy fleet in the shortest possible time. At the same time, commanders were given a certain independence depending on the specific situation while strictly observing the principle of mutual support. “In conclusion, I will express the idea,” Nakhimov wrote 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 independently to act at their own discretion, but will certainly fulfill their duty.”

On the morning of November 18 (30), 1853, the Russian squadron, in the formation of two wake columns, entered Sinop Bay. At the head of the right column was Nakhimov’s flagship Empress Maria, and the left column was Novosilsky’s Paris. The squadron stood in a semicircle near the city's embankment, covering part of the coastal batteries. The ships were positioned in such a way that one side of them was facing the sea, and the other was facing the city. Thus, the effect of enemy fire was weakened. At 12:30 a.m., the first salvo of the Turkish flagship Avni-Allah was fired, opening fire on the approaching Russian squadron, followed by the guns of other ships and coastal batteries.

Under heavy crossfire from the enemy, the Russian ships took up positions in accordance with the attack plan and only then opened fire back. Nakhimov's flagship went first and was closest to the Turkish squadron and coastal batteries. He concentrated fire on the enemy admiral's frigate Avni-Allah. Half an hour later, the Avni-Allah and the frigate Fazly-Allah, engulfed in flames, washed ashore. Other Turkish ships suffered the same fate. The control of the Turkish squadron was disrupted.

By 17:00, Russian sailors destroyed 15 of the 16 enemy ships with artillery fire and suppressed all of their coastal batteries. Random cannonballs also set fire to city buildings located in close proximity to the coastal batteries, which led to the spread of fire and caused panic among the population. Subsequently, this also gave Russia’s opponents a reason to talk about the allegedly inhumane conduct of the war.

Battle of Sinop Raid

Of the entire Turkish squadron, only one high-speed 20-gun steamer Taif managed to escape, on board of which was the chief adviser to the Turks on maritime issues, the Englishman Slad, who, having arrived in Istanbul, reported on the destruction of Turkish ships in Sinop.

In this battle, Russian sailors and officers, following Nakhimov’s instructions, provided mutual support. Thus, the ship “Three Saints” had a broken spring, and it began to fall under heavy fire from coastal batteries. Then the ship "Rostislav", which itself was under enemy fire, directed fire at the Turkish battery, which was firing at the "Three Saints".

Towards the end of the battle, a detachment of ships approached Sinop under the command, hurrying to the aid of Nakhimov from Sevastopol. Participant in these events B.I. Baryatinsky, who was in Kornilov’s squadron, wrote: “Approaching the ship “Maria” (Nakhimov’s flagship), we boarded the boat of our steamer and went to the ship, which was all pierced by cannonballs, the shrouds were almost all broken, and with a fairly strong swell, the masts swayed so much, that they threatened to fall. We board the ship, and both admirals rush into each other’s arms, we all also congratulate Nakhimov. He was magnificent, his cap on the back of his head, his face stained with blood, new epaulettes, his nose - everything was red with blood, sailors and officers... all black with gunpowder smoke... It turned out that on the "Maria" there were the most killed and wounded, as Nakhimov was walking the lead in the squadron and from the very beginning of the battle became closest to the Turkish firing sides. Nakhimov’s coat, which he took off before the battle and immediately hung on a nail, was torn by a Turkish cannonball.”

N.P. Honey cakes. P.S. Nakhimov during the Battle of Sinop November 18, 1853 1952

In the Battle of Sinop, the Turks lost over 3 thousand people killed and wounded: 200 people were taken prisoner, including the squadron commander Osman Pasha and the commanders of three ships. The Russian squadron had no losses in ships, but many of them, including Nakhimov’s flagship Empress Maria, were seriously damaged. Russian losses were 37 killed and 235 wounded. “The flagships and captains showed both knowledge of their business and the most unshakable courage, as well as the officers subordinate to them, while the lower ranks fought like lions,” Nakhimov reported to Kornilov.

In the order for the squadron, Nakhimov wrote: “The extermination of the Turkish fleet in Sinop by the squadron under my command cannot but leave a glorious page in the history of the Black Sea Fleet.” He thanked the personnel for their bravery and courage. “With such subordinates, I will proudly face any enemy European fleet.”

The victory was won as a result of the high professional skill of the Russian sailors, heroism, courage and bravery of the sailors, as well as thanks to the decisive and skillful actions of the command and, above all, Nakhimov.

The defeat of the Turkish squadron in Sinop significantly weakened Turkey's naval forces and thwarted its plans to land troops on the Caucasus coast. At the same time, the destruction of the Turkish squadron led to a change in the entire military-political situation. After the Battle of Sinop, Great Britain, France and the Sardinian Kingdom entered the war. On December 23, 1853 (January 4, 1854), a united Anglo-French squadron entered the Black Sea.

The Battle of Sinop was the last major battle of the era of the sailing fleet. “The battle is glorious, higher than Chesma and Navarino!” — this is how Vice Admiral V.A. assessed him. Kornilov.

During the years, the Soviet government established an order and medal in honor of Nakhimov. The Order was received by officers of the Navy for outstanding success 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 preserved. The medal was awarded to sailors and foremen for military merits.

According to the Federal Law “On the Days of Military Glory of Russia” dated March 13, 1995, December 1 is celebrated in the Russian Federation as “Victory Day of the Russian squadron P.S. Nakhimov over the Turkish squadron at the cape (as in the Federal Law. In fact, in the Sinop Bay) Sinop (1853).”

Material prepared by the Research Institute
(military history) Military Academy of the General Staff
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

In the late 40s and early 50s. In the 19th century, a new conflict began to brew in the Middle East, the reason for which was a dispute between Catholic and Orthodox clergy over “Palestinian shrines.”

The discussion was about which of the churches had the right to own the keys to the Temple of Bethlehem and other Christian shrines of Palestine - at that time a province of the Ottoman Empire. In 1850, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Kirill turned to the Turkish authorities for permission to repair the main dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At the same time, the Catholic mission raised the issue of the rights of the Catholic clergy, putting forward a demand for the restoration of the Catholic silver star taken from the Holy Manger and for the key to the main gate of the Bethlehem Church to be handed over to them. At first, the European public did not pay much attention to this dispute, which continued throughout 1850-52.

The initiator of the aggravation of the conflict was France, where during the revolution of 1848-1849. Louis Napoleon, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, came to power and proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in 1852 under the name Napoleon III. He decided to use this conflict to strengthen his position within the country, enlisting the support of the influential French clergy. In addition, in his foreign policy he sought to restore the former power of Napoleonic France at the beginning of the 19th century. The new French emperor sought a small, victorious war in order to strengthen his international prestige. From that time on, Russian-French relations began to deteriorate, and Nicholas I refused to recognize Napoleon III as the legitimate monarch.

Nicholas I, for his part, hoped to use this conflict for a decisive attack on the Ottoman Empire, mistakenly believing that neither England nor France would take decisive action in its defense. However, England saw the spread of Russian influence in the Middle East as a threat to British India and entered into an anti-Russian alliance with France.

In February 1853, A.S. arrived in Constantinople on a special mission. Menshikov is the great-grandson of the famous associate. The purpose of his visit was to obtain from the Turkish Sultan the restoration of all former rights and privileges of the Orthodox community. However, his mission ended in failure, which led to a complete break in diplomatic relations between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. To increase pressure on the Ottoman Empire, in June the Russian army under the command of M.D. Gorchakova occupied the Danube principalities. In October, the Turkish Sultan declared war on Russia.

On November 18, 1853, the last major battle in the history of the sailing fleet took place in Sinop Bay on the southern coast of the Black Sea.

The Turkish squadron of Osman Pasha left Constantinople for a landing operation in the Sukhum-Kale area and made a stop in Sinop Bay. The Russian Black Sea Fleet had the task of preventing active enemy actions. The squadron under the command of Vice Admiral P.S. Nakhimova, consisting of three battleships, during cruising duty, discovered the Turkish squadron and blocked it in the bay. Help was requested from Sevastopol.

By the time of the battle, the Russian squadron included 6 battleships and 2 frigates, and the Turkish squadron included 7 frigates, 3 corvettes, 2 steam frigates, 2 brigs, 2 transports. The Russians had 720 guns, and the Turks - 510.

The Turkish ships began the artillery battle. The Russian ships managed to break through the enemy's barrage, anchored and opened a crushing return fire. The 76 bomb cannons that were first used by the Russians, firing not cannonballs, but explosive shells, turned out to be especially effective. As a result of the battle, which lasted 4 hours, the entire Turkish fleet and all batteries of 26 guns were destroyed. The Turkish steamer Taif, under the command of A. Slade, the English adviser to Osman Pasha, escaped. The Turks lost over 3 thousand people killed and drowned, about 200 people. were captured. The commander-in-chief himself, Osman Pasha, ended up in Russian captivity. He, abandoned by his sailors, was rescued from the burning flagship by Russian sailors. When Nakhimov asked Osman Pasha if he had any requests, he replied: “To save me, your sailors risked their lives. I ask them to be rewarded properly.” The Russians lost 37 people. killed and 235 wounded. With the victory in Sinop Bay, the Russian fleet gained complete dominance in the Black Sea and thwarted plans for a Turkish landing in the Caucasus.

The defeat of the Turkish fleet was the reason for the entry into the conflict of England and France, which sent their squadrons into the Black Sea and landed troops near the Bulgarian city of Varna. In March 1854, an offensive military treaty between England, France and Turkey against Russia was signed in Istanbul (in January 1855, the Sardinian kingdom also joined the coalition). In April 1854, the allied squadron bombarded Odessa, and in September 1854, allied troops landed near Yevpatoria. The heroic page of the Crimean War was opened - the defense of Sevastopol.

The small Turkish port city of Sinop lies on the narrow isthmus of the Bostepe-Burun Peninsula on the southern coast of the Black Sea. It has an excellent harbor, which is especially important because on this coast of the large Anatolian (Asia Minor) Peninsula there is no other equally convenient and calm bay. The main naval battle of the Crimean War of 1853–1856 took place near Sinop on November 18 (30), 1853.

After Russia declared war on Turkey (1853), Vice Admiral Nakhimov with the ships "Empress Maria", "Chesma" and "Rostislav" was sent by the head of all Russian troops in Crimea, Prince Menshikov, to cruise to the shores of Anatolia. Passing near Sinop, Nakhimov saw a detachment of Turkish ships in the bay under the protection of coastal batteries and decided to closely blockade the port in order to attack the enemy with the arrival of the ships “Svyatoslav” and “Brave” from Sevastopol. The weather was gloomy, rainy, with a fresh easterly wind and quite strong waves from the nor'easter. Despite this, the squadron stayed very close to the shore in order to prevent the Turks from leaving Sinop for Constantinople (Istanbul) at night.

On November 16, the squadron of Rear Admiral Novosilsky (120-gun ships Paris, Grand Duke Constantine and Three Saints, frigates Kagul and Kulevchi) joined Nakhimov’s detachment. The next day, Nakhimov invited the ship commanders to the flagship (Empress Maria) and told them the plan for the upcoming battle with the enemy fleet. It was decided to attack in two columns: in the 1st, closest to the enemy, the ships of Nakhimov’s detachment, in the 2nd – Novosilsky; The frigates had to watch the enemy ships under sail. The anchors were ordered to be dropped with springs (cables that make it easier to hold the ship in a given position) as close to the enemy as possible, with ropes and cables at the ready. Consular houses and the city of Sinop itself were supposed to be spared, hitting only ships and batteries.

Battle of Sinop 1853. Plan

On the morning of November 18, 1853, it was raining with gusty winds from east-south-east, the most unfavorable for the capture of enemy ships (broken, they could easily wash ashore). At half past nine in the morning, keeping the rowing vessels at the sides of the ships, the Russian squadron headed for the roadstead. In the depths of the Sinop Bay, 7 Turkish frigates and 3 corvettes were located in a moon-shaped manner, under the cover of 4 batteries (one with 8 guns, three with 6 guns each); Behind the battle line there were 2 steamships and 2 transports.

At half past one day, upon the first shot from the 44-gun frigate Aunni-Allah, fire was opened on the Russians from all enemy ships and batteries. The ship "Empress Maria" was bombarded with cannonballs and knipels (shells for destroying masts and sails). Most of its spar (sail control devices) and standing rigging were broken; only 1 shroud of the mainmast remained intact. However, this ship moved forward non-stop and, operating with battle fire at enemy ships, dropped anchor against the frigate "Aunni-Allah". Unable to withstand even a half-hour battle, he jumped ashore. Then our flagship turned its fire exclusively on the 44-gun frigate Fazli-Allah, which soon caught fire and also jumped onto land.

Battle of Sinop. Painting by I. Aivazovsky, 1853

After this, the actions of the ship "Empress Maria" in the Battle of Sinop were concentrated on battery No. 5. The ship "Grand Duke Konstantin", anchored, opened heavy fire on battery No. 4 and the 60-gun frigates "Navek-Bahri and "Nesimi-Zefer" . The first was exploded 20 minutes after the opening of fire, showering debris and bodies on Battery No. 4, which then almost ceased to operate. The second one was thrown ashore by the wind when its anchor chain was broken. The ship "Chesma" destroyed batteries No. 4 and 3 with its shots. The ship "Paris", standing at anchor, directed battle fire at battery No. 5, the corvette "Guli-Sefid" (22-gun) and the frigate "Damiad" (56-gun cannon). Having blown up the corvette and thrown the frigate ashore, he began to hit the 64-gun frigate Nizamiye, the foremast and mizzen masts of the latter were shot down, and the ship itself drifted to the shore, where it soon caught fire. Then the “Paris” again began to fire at battery No. 5. Nakhimov, delighted with the actions of this ship, ordered to express his gratitude to him right during the battle, but there was nothing to raise the corresponding signal: all the halyards were broken. The ship "Three Saints" entered into battle with the frigates "Kaidi-Zefer" (54-gun) and "Nizamiye". The first shots of the Turks at the “Three Saints” interrupted the spring. Turning into the wind, this Russian ship was subjected to well-aimed longitudinal fire from Battery No. 6, which severely damaged its mast. But, having turned the stern again, the “Three Saints” began to act very successfully against the “Kaidi-Zepher” and other enemy ships, forcing them to rush to the shore. The ship "Rostislav", concentrating fire on battery No. 6 and the 24-gun corvette "Feize-Meabud", threw the corvette ashore.

At half past one o'clock in the afternoon, the Russian steamship-frigate "Odessa" appeared from behind the cape, flying the flag of Admiral General Kornilova, accompanied by the steamships "Crimea" and "Khersones". These ships immediately took part in the Battle of Sinop, which, however, was already nearing its end, since the Turkish forces were exhausted. Batteries No. 5 and 6 continued to harass our ships until 4 o’clock, but “Paris” and “Rostislav” soon destroyed them. Meanwhile, the rest of the enemy ships, apparently set on fire by their crews, took off one after another. This caused a fire to spread in the city of Sinop, and there was no one to put it out.

Battle of Sinop

Among the prisoners was the head of the Turkish squadron, Vice Admiral Osman Pasha, and two ship commanders. At the end of the Battle of Sinop, Russian ships began to repair damage to the rigging and spars, and on the morning of November 20, they weighed anchor to proceed to Sevastopol in tow by steamers. Beyond Cape Sinop, the squadron encountered a large swell from the northeast, so the steamships were forced to give up tugs. At night the wind became stronger, and the ships set sail. On November 22, 1853, around noon, the victorious Russian ships entered the Sevastopol roadstead with general jubilation.

The victory in the Battle of Sinop had very important consequences for the course of the Crimean War: it freed the Caucasian Black Sea coast of Russia from the danger of a Turkish landing.

After the Ottoman Empire declared war on Russia, London warned the Russian ambassador that if Turkish ports were attacked, Allied ships would intercede on their behalf. At that time, the Anglo-French squadron was based in the Sea of ​​Marmara. Nakhimov left Sevastopol to cruise off the Turkish coast and prevent the supply of weapons and ammunition. Soon the vice admiral received news of the beginning of the war and of Turkish ships stationed in Sinop. According to information from the Minister of Naval Affairs, Prince Menshikov, the Turks planned to land troops near Sukhum and Poti. Nakhimov moved there, at the same time a detachment of Vice Admiral Osman Pasha was heading to Sinop. He managed to miss the Russian squadron and move unhindered to the city. When the ships of the Black Sea Fleet approached Sinop, they discovered much larger forces there than expected - 7 frigates, 2 corvettes, 1 sloop and 2 steamers, which covered five of the six coastal batteries. Pavel Nakhimov decided to block the port until reinforcements arrived. A squadron of Rear Admiral Fyodor Novosilsky was sent from Sevastopol to help him, which joined the Nakhimov ships, doubling their strength.

Vice Admiral Pavel Nakhimov

Thus, Nakhimov had the 84-gun battleships “Empress Maria”, “Chesma”, “Rostislav” and the 120-gun “Paris”, “Grand Duke Konstantin”, “Three Saints”, frigates “Kahul” and "Kulevchi". The Turks had 7 frigates, including the Fazli Allah, the former Russian ship Rafail, which surrendered to the enemy without a fight in 1829, 3 corvettes, the steam frigate Taif and the steamer Erkile. From the shore they were covered by five batteries, which cost an entire battleship. In addition, the Turks could count on the help of French and English ships that were stationed in the Dardanelles Strait. The Turks stood in a crescent formation, which ensured cross-fire of any squadron entering the roadstead. Ottoman Pasha had orders to remain in the bay until good weather returned.

On November 29, Nakhimov received an order from Menshikov to spare the city if possible, so as not to give the European powers a reason to enter into conflict. The vice admiral, fearing that reinforcements would arrive to the Turks, decided to fight the next day. At 10 a.m. he held a meeting of the command staff on the flagship Empress Maria. It was decided to attack in two columns: the first was commanded by Nakhimov, the second by Novosilsky. They decided to protect the city and attack only ships and batteries. It was intended to use bombing guns for the first time. On the same day, three steamships “Odessa”, “Krym” and “Khersones” left Sevastopol for Sinop, but arrived at the site only towards the end of the battle.

Sinop battle

On the morning of November 30, the weather was not on the side of the Russian fleet: there was fog, it was drizzling, which turned into downpour by 4 p.m., and the gusty east-south-east wind prevented the capture of enemy ships, which could easily have washed ashore. At 9:30 the squadron headed for the roadstead. At 12:30 the first shot was fired by the 44-gun frigate Aunni-Allah, after which fire was opened from all Turkish ships and batteries. The Empress Maria was bombarded with shells, the spar and standing rigging were broken, but the ship continued to move forward. The squadron followed him unquestioningly until both frigates anchored. “Empress Maria” stood up against “Aunni Allah” and sprayed him for half an hour. Unable to withstand such fire, the Turkish frigate ran ashore. Then the Russian flagship set to work on the Fazli Allah. It, too, soon caught fire and washed ashore; the remains of the “treacherous” ship, as ordered by the emperor, were burned. Nakhimov later reported to Nicholas: “The will of Your Imperial Majesty has been fulfilled - the frigate Raphael does not exist.” Now the flagship's actions focused on battery No. 5.

Battle Map

At this time, "Chesma" dealt with batteries No. 3 and No. 4. "Grand Duke Konstantin" after 20 minutes of battle blew up the frigate "Navek-Bahri", showering debris and the bodies of sailors on battery No. 4. The second frigate "Nesimi-Zefer", which was fired upon by a Russian battleship and was thrown ashore by the wind. The Paris, under the command of Captain 1st Rank Vladimir Istomin, brought down the dangerous battery No. 5 in just 4.5 minutes. After this, shelling began on the corvette Guli-Sefid and the frigate Damiad. At 13:05 the corvette exploded and the Damiad washed ashore. After the shelling, the 64-gun Turkish frigate Nizamiye lost two masts and also ran ashore. Then the Paris began to finish off battery No. 5. Nakhimov, speaking about the Paris, noted that “it was impossible to stop admiring the beautiful and calmly calculated actions of the ship.”

Russian ships in the Battle of Sinop

The battleship "Three Saints" entered into battle with the "Kaidi-Zefer", but Turkish shots broke its spring, and fire from battery No. 6 damaged the mast. Turning around, he again began firing at the enemy frigate and forced it and other ships to rush to the shore. "Rostislav", covering the "Three Saints", opened fire on battery No. 6 and the corvette "Feize-Meabud", throwing it ashore.

At 13:30, Russian steamships appeared to help. The battle was already nearing completion, the Turks were greatly weakened, but the ships immediately entered the battle. "Paris" and "Rostislav" finally destroyed batteries No. 5 and No. 6. Here and there Turkish ships, probably set on fire by their crews, caught fire and flew into the air. Burning debris fell on the city, and a strong fire began. Before the battle, the Turks left their part of Sinop, leaving only the Greeks in the city, who considered the Russians friends. When the fire started, the Greeks quickly put out the fires in their part of the city, but the Turkish half suffered greatly.

At about 2 p.m., the enemy frigate Taif broke out of the line of defeated Turkish ships and headed towards Istanbul. The ship fleeing from the theater of military operations was pursued by the Kagul and Kulevchi, but they did not have enough speed, then the Russian steamers followed the fugitive. The captain of the Taif, Yahya Bey, arrived in Istanbul and reported the death of the Turkish squadron; his ship was the only one to survive. The Ottoman government fired the captain for “misbehavior,” and the Sultan was furious at the Taif’s flight. Meanwhile the battle continued. By 15 o'clock the Turkish ships ceased fire, and by 16 o'clock all coastal batteries were suppressed. The Turkish ships were burning, ammunition was flying into the air, the guns of the burning frigates were dangerous, and at 20 o'clock Nakhimov ordered his ships to be withdrawn from the shore. During the inspection of enemy ships, 180 people were captured. Among them was Osman Pasha, wounded, robbed and half-naked by his own sailors. The Turkish vice admiral himself handed Nakhimov his broadsword. For a couple of days, Russian sailors repaired their ships, and on December 2 they moved to Sevastopol. Amid general rejoicing, two days later they entered the bay.

The night after the battle

Nakhimov was awarded the Order of St. George, II degree, but Menshikov refused to promote him to admiral. The Sinop victory, which the British called a "massacre", especially due to the devastating fire in the city, provoked the entry of Great Britain and France into the war, which the Minister of the Navy had tried to avoid. Nakhimov understood this very well and said: “The British will see that we are really dangerous to them at sea, and believe me, they will use every effort to destroy the Black Sea Fleet.” Captain "Paris" Istomin was promoted to rear admiral. The Emperor granted 250 St. George's Crosses to the heroes of the battle. Since there were more sailors proposed for the award than crosses, they were distributed by lot. It was not for nothing that the fleet leadership feared the entry of European powers into the war. In September 1854, the Anglo-French army landed in Crimea. The defense of Sevastopol began. Nakhimov took it seriously, considered himself guilty and knew that this was revenge for Sinop.