Chesme battle occurred on June 26, 1770, refers to the Russian-Turkish campaign of 1768-1774. The Battle of Chesme will forever go down in the textbooks of Russian history as an indicator of the bravery and courage of Russian sailors.

The squadron of Admiral Spiridov, which consisted of 9 battleships, 3 frigates and 18 small ships armed with 730 guns, was opposed by the Turkish fleet, which outnumbered ours. Namely, 16 battleships, 4 frigates, galleys and other small vessels of about a hundred, 16 thousand Turkish sailors, armed with 1430 guns. The Russian fleet was facing a tough battle...

The Turkish fleet lined up in two lines across the Strait of Chios. The Russian admirals decided to attack the Turks from the north, according to the plan, our ships were to go one after the other, and attack the enemy in a column.

The first, at the forefront of the column, was the battleship "Europe", followed by the flagship "Evstafiy", the third was the ship "Three Saints". The ships moved forward, under heavy fire from the Turkish fleet, without firing a shot. Admiral Spiridov stood on the ship with a drawn sword, music was playing at the stern of the ship to raise the morale of the team.

"Evstafy" approached the enemy at close range, and fired a volley from all guns. "Three Saints" inflicted great damage on the enemy, but lost control and stood in line between two fires. Despite this, the ship continued to fight. The Russians pressed, the Turkish sailors succumbed to panic and began to jump overboard.

The ships of the Turks could not withstand the pressure of Russian weapons, turned stern and fled, receiving heavy damage. "Evstafiy" boarded the Turkish flagship, the Turkish admiral was wounded in battle. A fire broke out on the ship, which spread to our ship, both flagships exploded. Russian sailors began to raise their own and Turkish sailors on boats. Turkish coastal batteries opened fire on the rescuers. The Turks retreated to Chesme Bay.

At night, the Russian fleet went on the attack. The ship "Europe" suppressed the Turkish battery, allowing our ships to enter the harbor and open aimed fire on the bay. An hour later, two more Turkish ships were blown up, and three more were on fire. A shot from a rocket launcher was given a signal to attack the firewalls, which were stuffed with gunpowder. Our ships have ceased fire.

The Turks at first thought that deserters were swimming towards them, having come to their senses, they opened fire, but it was too late. One Russian fireship managed to swim to the target. The Russians set fire to the fire-ship, rushed into the boat and sent it (fire-ship) to the 84-gun ship. Along the chain, Turkish ships began to explode, one after another. In the morning the Russians entered the harbor. The entire garrison of the Chesme Bay fled to Smyrna.

The Chesme battle is a glorious page in the history of the Russian navy which will forever be included in the history books and the memory of the people.

In the era of sailing ships, the battle between the Russian and Turkish fleets near the Chesma fortress became one of the largest at that time. Victory in this battle served as an advantage Russian Empire in the conclusion of the Kyuchuk-Kaynarji Treaty at the end of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774. The battle of Chesma is a real triumph of the Russian fleet.

The beginning of the great battle was the clash of the Russian squadron under the command of Admiral Spiridov with the twice superior Turkish fleet in the Chios Strait. The composition of the Russian troops was not great: one bombing ship, 9 ships of the line, only 3 frigates, and 17 auxiliary ships. However, the position of the Turkish ships was such that only half of them could attack at the same time, moreover, the space for maneuver was limited to the coastline. The admiral decided to attack.

Spiridov developed a plan of action. According to him, the Russian ships had to approach the enemy fleet at a right angle at a distance sufficient for a volley, inflict the maximum possible damage to the ships of the first line, especially the flagships, in order to disrupt the control of the Turkish fleet. It was impossible to allow the enemy to take advantage of the numerical advantage.

On the morning of June 24 (July 7), 1770, Russian ships swiftly entered the Chios Strait and were built in a wake column, a warrant battle. Ahead was "Europe", immediately behind him - "Evstafiy".

At 11:30, the Turkish squadron attacked the Russian ships, but failed to inflict significant damage. Half an hour later, the maneuver of the Russian fleet was close to completion, a fierce shelling of each other's armies with cannon volleys at close range began. Only three Russian ships failed to take their places in the general ranks. "Europe", at the insistence of the pilot, was withdrawn from the line, later she took a position behind the "Rostislav", "Three Saints" carried into the very center of the Turkish system due to damaged rigging. "St. Januarius "failed because he lagged behind the squadron. After the battle left "Europe", the main goal of the Turks was the flagship "Eustace", where the admiral was. The Russian flagship approached the Turkish 90-gun "Real-Mustafa" at a distance of a rifle shot, due to the impossibility of maneuver, a boarding battle began. The attacks of the "unicorns" led to a fire on the "Real Mustafa". As a result, both flagships died from the explosion. The commanders of the Russian squadron Admiral Spiridov and Count F.G. Orlov escaped.

At 14:00, the Turkish fleet began a retreat, similar to a flight. At the same time, many ships collided, and they approached the Chesme Bay without bowsprits. The behavior of the crew of the huge 100-gun Turkish ship Kapudan Pasha became a prime example confusion and panic that reigned among the Turkish sailors. Chopping off the anchor chain, the crew forgot about the spring, which led to the ship turning stern to the Russian "Three Hierarchs" so that the "Kapudan Pasha" did not have the opportunity to respond to the enemy's heavy fire for a quarter of an hour with a single shot.

As a result of the first stage of the Battle of Chesme, and a short battle in the Chios Strait, both squadrons lost only one ship each, but the morale and initiative of the Turkish fleet was broken. The Turkish ships found themselves in an extremely uncomfortable and unfavorable position in the Chesme Bay, they could not leave because of the weak wind.

Despite the fact that the Turkish fleet was blocked in the Chesme Bay, it retained a numerical advantage and still remained a dangerous enemy. The Russian squadron did not have the opportunity for a long siege. There were no supply bases nearby, and reinforcements from Istanbul could approach the enemy at any moment. In view of these circumstances, the Russian military council on June 25 (July 8) decided to immediately destroy the Turkish fleet. Of the 4 battleships, 2 frigates and the bombardment ship "Thunder", a special detachment was organized under the command of S.K. Greig. He was supposed to attack the Turks in the Chesme Bay.

Thunder Russia, 18th century Bomber ship.

In the evening at 17:00, Grom began shelling the enemy fleet and coastal fortifications, which allowed all other ships of the group to complete the maneuver by midnight. According to the plan, the shelling was to be carried out from a distance of about 370 meters (2 cables). The task of the frigates was to suppress the coastal batteries, and the battleships were to fire on the tightly lined Turkish fleet in the bay, the Thunder supported battleships. After the shelling fire-ships entered the battle. It was possible to implement the command plan exactly.

An hour after the start of the massive shelling, the Turkish ship caught fire from an incendiary projectile, the fire spread to the nearest ships. Trying to save the fleet from fire, the crews of the Turkish ships weakened the artillery fire, which allowed the fireships to successfully bypass the battleships and join the battle. Within 15 minutes, 4 fireships approached the previously planned targets, but only one managed to complete the task and set fire to a large 84-gun ship - Lieutenant Ilyin's fireship. After that, the crew and the captain left the burning ship. And the Turkish ship exploded after some time. Its burning wreckage spread fire to many Turkish ships.

Within just a few hours, a significant part of the Turkish squadron, including 15 battleships, 6 frigates and about 50 small auxiliary vessels, perished from fire and Russian guns. In the early morning, at about 4 o'clock, the shelling of Chesme Bay and the destruction of Turkish ships ceased. By this time, the Turkish squadron was practically wiped off the face of the earth. At 9 o'clock in the morning, the Russians landed troops on the shore to capture the fortifications of the northern cape.

Explosions in the Chesme Bay were heard for another hour after the troops landed on the shore. Only one 60-gun ship "Rhodes" and 5 galleys remained from the large fleet, they surrendered. The rest of the fleet was reduced to a terrifying mixture of ash, shipwrecks and human blood.

There was no longer a Turkish fleet left in the Aegean, which was a huge loss for Turkey and a strategic advantage for the Russian Empire. Thus, the Russian fleet established dominance in the archipelago, Turkish communications were disrupted. The Battle of Chesme significantly accelerated the victory of the Russians in the war of 1768-1774.

The great Russian naval commanders forged this victory with their talent, experience and ability for non-standard solutions, despite the almost disastrous start of the campaign. Of the 15 ships that left Krondstadt, only 8 made it to Livorno in the Mediterranean. According to Count Orlov himself in a letter to Catherine II, if the war had not been with Turkey, but with any other country, with a stronger and more skilled fleet, “everyone would have been easily crushed.” But the low quality of the enemy fleet was more than offset by a twofold advantage, so that Russian sailors can rightfully be proud of a great victory.

Such a coveted victory became possible after the rejection of the canons of linear tactics, which were so popular at that time among Western European admirals. The decisive role in the battle was played by the skillful use of the enemy's weaknesses, the concentration of ships in the main direction and the ability to accurately choose the moment to attack. The most important thing for defeating the enemy was the decision and ability to drive the Turkish fleet into the bay. Even under the cover of coastal batteries, the Turkish fleet was vulnerable in a cramped bay, this predetermined the success of the shelling with incendiary shells and the firewall attack.

The command of the Russian fleet in the Aegean celebrated a triumph. Count Orlov received the Order of St. George 1st degree as a reward, and also received the right to add the honorary "Chesmensky" to his surname. Admiral Spiridov was presented with the highest military award in the Russian Empire - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. S. Greig was promoted to Rear Admiral and was awarded the order St. George of the 2nd degree, which gave the right to hereditary nobility.

In honor of the Chesme victory and those people who achieved it with minimal human losses among their soldiers, an obelisk was erected in Gatchina. 8 years after the battle in Tsarskoye Selo, the Chesme Column was installed. In St. Petersburg, the Chesme Palace and the Chesme Church were built. The name "Chesma" was given immediately to two ships in the Russian fleet - a battleship and squadron battleship. The cape, discovered in 1876 in the Gulf of Anadyr, also received the name "Chesma". The Battle of Chesme was proof of the exceptional talent of the Russian commanders and the courage of the Russian sailors, who were able to act even in the most adverse conditions and win.

It is impossible not to be surprised that until now the curious exploits of our compatriots in the memorable sea expedition in the Archipelago of 1769-1775 have remained in the darkness of ignorance. The expedition that crowned the greatest glory Russia and brought her an advantage in the politics of Europe. Although this fifty-year-old negligence, so to speak, made it very difficult for the Historian to collect materials scattered in different places and ports and up to half rotted or made almost unsortable; although out of several hundred witnesses, participants in this famous campaign, from whom you could get a lot of information and oral confirmation, five are barely known: who at that time was a Major General and brought to Petersburg the news of the burning of the Turkish fleet, Admiral and Member of the State Council Vilim Petrovich von Dezin, Admiral and Revel Military Governor Alexei Grigorievich Spiridov - Adjutant General of Count Orlov-Chesmensky; Admiral and first present in the Admiralteistk-Collegia Petr Kondratievich Kartsov, Lieutenant-General and Member of the same Collegium Yakov Andreevich Zhokhov and Chief Commander of the Astrakhan port Alexander Andreevich Zhokhov - who were Lieutenants in this campaign; although, I say, everything could terrify the Historian to the enterprise now describing this glorious Expedition: but no labors, no donations frightened Alexander Yakovlevich Glotov. With the zeal of a patriot, he embarked on this bold enterprise and with cold-blooded patience and perfect knowledge of the sea, necessary in such work, defeated the very impossibility and compiled the most reliable and detailed description of the memorable under the command, hitherto described. only by the prejudiced pen of a foreigner - Rulier, who even had ways to know its details. Nothing was hidden from G. Glotov's observation: skillful maneuvers, evolutions, laudable exploits and mistakes of his compatriots are depicted by him with all historical impartiality, to which the remoteness of the era contributed a lot. He acquaints us with diplomatic correspondence, with acts completely unknown, such as, for example: the burning of 14 enemy frigates by Captain Kanyaev, the reflection and victory of Michman Ushakov and Army Captain Kostin over the enemy, five times stronger - the acts of Captain Barkov, and so on, which in any other nations would not only be known to everyone and exalted everywhere; but would deserve monuments. Praise and general gratitude to the venerable Alexander Yakovlevich for this truly patriotic work, and special gratitude to the Publisher of Otechestvennye Zapiski for allowing them to decorate them with the most curious article of them - the Chesme battle!

Unfortunately, we cannot add maps, views, evolutions of battles and portraits of excellent men who participated in this campaign, which give a special interest and importance to this creation, and the search for which a private person cost a lot of work and donations.

Wishing to present something whole to our readers in the extract itself, we put here a brief history compiling this Expedition, sailing it to the Archipelago and a complete narrative of the battle in the Khii Canal, which was the forerunner of the destruction of the Turkish fleet at Chesme:

Alexander Yakovlevich Glotov is already known to the public for his other useful works. He published in 1816 a book entitled: Explanation of accessories to the armament of a ship - the only work of its kind in the Russian language. This book, recognized by the authorities as excellently useful, is used as a classic in the maritime departments and by definition of the Director of the Naval Cadet Corps is given as a reward to pupils who distinguished themselves during the exam, when they are released to the Officers. - By the vigilant labors and deep in terms of maritime knowledge of G. Glotov, the Admiralty Museum has been brought to the degree of perfection, with which he justified the trust of the trusting Government in him and with which each of his compatriots rejoices and is proud - The main subject of his real studies is - the Marine Dictionary, on which he is working it is already 17 years old and which has brought almost to an end, having processed more than 10 thousand words. Each word is indicated in it in its own name in ten "European languages", and its meaning is expressed in Russian. It includes all the sciences related to maritime art: theory, the practice of evolution, the construction of ships with all their economic and derivative parts, everything related to the Admiralty works, and so on. and so on. We wish him a happy ending and success in this no less difficult, as well as important, undertaking.

Alexander Yakovlevich still collects all the famous naval battles since the time of Peter the Great, which, we hope, the Honorable Public will learn about through our Patriotic Notes.

Publisher.

CHESME FIGHT

Glotov A. Ya.

In the reign of Empress Catherine II, at the start of the war with the Ottoman Porte in 1769, a significant squadron was sent from Kronshtat to the Mediterranean Sea under the command of Admiral Spiridov, which later; having entered the Mediterranean Sea, she entered under the immediate command, with whom his brother Count Fedor Grigorievich Orlov was.

The squadron consisted of the following ships:

	Their commanders:
	Capital. 1st rank
84 guns. Svyatoslav
66 - Eustathius
66 - 3 Saints	Roxburgh
66 - Europe	Korsakov
66 - Northern Eagle	Klokamev
66 - St. Januarius
frigate: Hope of Prosperity	Cap. 2nd rank Anichkov
Bombardiersky: Thunder	Captain-Lieutenant Perepechin
Pinky: Saturn	Captain Lieuten. Lupandin
	Captain-Lieutenant Popovkin
Lopamints	Captain Lieuten. Izvekov
Solombal	Captain Lieuten. Mistrov
Packets: Flying	Cap. Leith. Rostislavsky
Pachtalion	Capital. Leith. Eropkin

In addition to these ships, 5 dismantled half-galleys and two ponies were taken and placed on ships.

(July 17th) the squadron was already completely ready to sail and was stationed in the Kronstadt middle harbor. - The Empress did not leave without a glance the ships that went to such a distant land according to her wise design; she deigned to arrive this date from Oranienbaum at 5 o'clock in the afternoon on a boat directly to the ship Evstafiy, where the Squadron Commander was with all the Captains of the ships and senior Officers, and was met by them. The Great Monarchine honored everyone with her attention and conversation, and right there she deigned to entrust the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky to Admiral Spiridov, wishing him to imitate on the waters of the Aegean glory and the courage of this saint - "Bart's captains were made Brigadiers, and she deigned to favor the other Headquarters and Ober Officers to her hand" At 6 o'clock the Empress deigned to leave the ship Evstafiy, and as a tender mother of the fatherland, she said goodbye to the faithful sons of the champions of Her glory, begging Heaven to send them well-being and success in this enterprise. The presence of Catherine revived everyone with the spirit of enterprise, and thousands of hearts, burning with love for the glory of their Monarchine, hastened from the banks of the Nevsky to the limits of Negropont.

Following the Empress, the squadron began to leave the harbor and directly entered under the sails. She stopped only to take the landing force at Krasnaya Gorka, 30 versts from Kronshtat, and put it on ships, namely: 8 companies of the Keksholmsky regiment and two companies of artillery with all its accessories, July 25 weighed anchor and set out.

August 30 the squadron arrived safely in Copenhagen, where it found the Russian squadron anchored, sailing to Kronstadt from the city of Arkhangelsk; Admiral Spiridov took advantage of this opportunity to take from this squadron, instead of remaining on the way to damage the ship Svyatoslav, ship Rostislav, and replenish other shortcomings of their squadron. - September 10 from Copenhagen she went to her destination in the Mediterranean; in case of separation of the ships, a gathering place was appointed on the island of Minorca in Port Mahon, where the first arrived November 18th on the ship Evstafiy Admiral Spiridov, and then the other squadron of his ships and vessels gathered in this port.

(November 23) Count Fyodor Orlov arrived in Port Mahon on the English brig and brought from the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Spiridov, a command, which indicated that, by the Highest command, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the troops stationed in the Archipelago on a dry route and at sea; but due to some circumstances, being retained in Livorne, he sends his brother, to whom all the necessary orders were given, so that, according to them, before the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief, to begin military operations against the enemy, requiring great haste, which were then opened.

AT 1770 in early January a small separate squadron was sent under the command of the Brigadier to Livorna, to bring the Commander-in-Chief to the fleet; Admiral Spiridov, with all his ships, went to the Morea peninsula, where he began hostilities by landing troops under the fortresses: from which the latter was taken by our troops and subsequently blown into the air -

Chesma (Chesme) was a town with a citadel on west bank Asia Minor, against the island of Chios. In the bay where Chesma stands, in 1770 the famous Chesme battle- part Archipelago expedition 1769-1774.

Shortly before this, there was a connection of two Russian squadrons: Admiral Spiridova, who had been in the Archipelago before, and Rear Admiral Elphinstone, who had just arrived there from Russia. Count Alexei Grigorievich Orlov became commander in chief, who raised the keyser flag on the ship "Three Hierarchs" (commander - foreman S.K. Greig), and connected his fleet on June 15 at the island of Paros. The Turkish squadron left here only three days before and headed north - as they believed, to the Dardanelles. Count Orlov, fearing to miss the enemy, hurried after him with the intention of defeating him.

Chesme battle. video film

The Russian fleet consisted of nine ships (all 66-gun, except for the 84-gun Svyatoslav), three frigates (one 36 and two 32-gun), one 10-gun bombardment ship and seventeen light ships. Seeing on June 23 the enemy fleet at anchor behind the island of Chios, our fleet, on the morning of June 24 (July 5), 1770, with a calm fair wind, entered the Chios Canal from the north, separating the said island from the coast of Anatolia. Along this coast and near it, to the north of the Chesme Bay, the Turkish squadron was anchored in two lines. It consisted of 16 ships (of which six were from 80 to 90-gun, and others, like the Russians, 66-gun), 6 frigates and up to 60 small ships and transports. The commander-in-chief, Captain Pasha Gassan-ed-Din, was on the shore in the camp, and at that moment the brave Algerian Gassan-Bey commanded the fleet, who said that it was necessary to grapple with enemy ships and take off with them. But since his ships were at anchor and could not follow this rule, while the Russians, who were under sail, seized the initiative in the battle.

The enormity of the enemy's forces first struck Count Orlov. But, firmly trusting in God and in the courage of his subordinates, he, on the advice of the flag officers and captains, decided to attack the Turkish fleet. Orlov ordered to make springs (cables connected by anchors that hold the ship in a given position), in case you have to anchor against the enemy. Having built a battle line, Orlov moved to the Turks in the following order:

Vanguard : Ships "Europe" (Captain Klokachev), "Evstafiy" (Captain Cruz, Admiral Spiridov), "Three Saints" (Captain Khmetevsky).

Cordebatalia : "January" (captain Borisov), "Three Hierarchs" (brigadier Greig, Count Alexei Orlov), "Rostislav" (captain Lupandin).

rearguard : "Don't Touch Me" (Captain Beshentsov), "Svyatoslav" (Captain Roxburgh, Admiral Elphinstone), "Saratov" (Captain Polivanov).

Before noon, the ship "Europe", having brought to the port tack (that is, becoming the port side to the wind), opened fire on the advanced enemy ship, which had the flag of the commander in chief. But soon, at the insistence of the pilot, who threatened the proximity of the shallows, he turned to the right tack, giving way to the ship following him "Evstafiy". So, around noon on June 24, the Chesme battle began and lasted until two in the afternoon. Six Russian ships, which made up the vanguard and corps de battalion, successfully operated against the first from the entrance of the enemy. But just before the end of the battle, the three ships of our rear guard approached the enemy and fired from afar.

The wind during the battle completely died down. The ship "Evstafiy" was in the strongest fire. Three ships acted against him, and he concentrated his fire on the ship of the Turkish commander-in-chief, approached him at a gunshot and, having lost control from many damages in the mast and sails, flew into this ship, so that hand-to-hand combat ensued between their crews. Soon the captain's ship caught fire. Then Admiral Spiridov and General Count Fyodor Grigorievich Orlov, who commanded the landing troops in the fleet, left the Evstafiy ship for the Postman packet boat. At the same time, rowboats were sent from the Russian fleet to the ship "Evstafiy" to help. The Turks, from the burning ship, rushed to ours. The slaughter continued, and finally the mainmast of the Turkish ship, after burning, fell on the Eustathius. Sparks hit the cool chamber, and our ship took off into the air. Behind him, the Turkish one also exploded. In this misfortune, from 508 to 628 Russian sailors died with the Eustathius, including from 30 to 35 officers (this is how modern and official testimony differ). Turkish ships, cutting off the ropes, set sail and fled south to the Chesme Bay. The Russian fleet, having been damaged, did not pursue the enemy, who had taken refuge in the depths of the bay, but moved to the entrance to it and anchored.

Chesme battle 1770. Plan

At the military council after this battle, it was supposed to attack and destroy the enemy fleet, for which Brigadier Hannibal (Feldzeugmeister General of the Fleet) was instructed to make four firewalls. The bombardier's ship, placed in front of our fleet, threw bombs at the enemy. By the morning of the next day, June 25 (July 6), 1770, the Russian fleet stood in front of the mouth of the Chesme Bay in a semicircle, at a distance of one cable or a hundred fathoms from the ship, and the Turks built batteries on the flanks of our line and fortified in their position, having four ships ahead in line. Behind them, the whole mass of their ships stood under the very shore.

By the evening of June 25, the fireships were ready, which had entered the detachment of the captain of the brigadier rank Greig. It was assigned to attack the Turkish fleet and consisted of four ships, two frigates and one bombardment ship. A quiet north wind and a moonlit night favored the proposed attack, and at half past one in the morning on June 26 (July 7), 1770, the Europa ship was already on the spring against the enemy and opened fire. For half an hour he stood it alone, until the other ships of the aforementioned detachment approached, and the Chesme battle continued. Soon one Turkish ship caught fire, followed by another; then, on a signal, fire-ships were fired. Three of them were not successful, and the fourth, under the command of Lieutenant Ilyin, grappled with a large Turkish ship and was set on fire.

The result was the explosion of this ship. This was followed by a general fire of the enemy fleet, which lasted from 3 o'clock in the morning until 9 o'clock in the morning. Turkish ships took off one after another, so that the Russians managed to save only one 60-gun ship "Rhodes" and five galleys from fire. 14 ships, 6 frigates and more than fifty Turkish ships burned down. The trophies of the winners of the Chesme battle, in addition to the ship and five galleys, were 22 copper guns of 24 and 30-pound calibers taken from the northern battery, and several more guns raised off the coast, and also left by the Turks in Chesma, from where they left for Smyrna (Izmir). The occupation of Chesma did not represent any benefits, and this place was abandoned, and the rich city was not taken, due to the plague raging in it.

Chesme battle. Painting by I. K. Aivazovsky, 1848

Our damage in both Chesme battles, except for the loss of the ship "Evstafiy" with the crew, amounted to a little more than 50 people killed and seriously wounded. After this brilliant victory, the royal goodwill was declared to the entire Russian fleet, an annual salary and prize money following the maritime charter were not issued. In memory of the battle at Chesma, a medal was stamped with a portrait of Catherine II on one side and with a burning Turkish fleet on the other, under the laconic inscription "Was". All the participants of the Chesme battle wore silver medals on a blue ribbon, in a buttonhole.

The Russian victory was complete. The entire Turkish fleet was destroyed; only two ships remained that were not in business. The Russians gained dominance in the Aegean Archipelago, limiting themselves, however, to only a weak blockade of the Dardanelles and an unsuccessful siege of the fortress of Pelaro on the western coast of Lemnos. In early September, the 80-gun ship "Svyatoslav", which was under the flag of Admiral Elphinstone, crashed on the eastern reef of the island of Lemnos, which further weakened the blockade of the Dardanelles, entrusted after Elphinstone to Rear Admiral Greig. Meanwhile, in Constantinople, the fear that had spread after the Battle of Chesme had passed, when the Turks were even waiting for the arrival of the victorious Russian fleet to the walls of their capital. By the late season, Count Orlov connected all the ships of his squadron in the port of Aousa on the northern coast of the island of Paros, and this ended the naval campaign of 1770.

In Admiral Greig's handwritten journal, it is said that the Europa ship, as the Evstafiy ship approached it from behind, was forced to move forward and, having lost an opponent because of this, turned to another tack, went down and again took its place in the line behind the Rostislav ship. ".

SUBJECT: Battle in the Strait of Chios and Battle of Chesme .

Issues under consideration:

1. Background of the battle.

2. Battle in the Chios Strait.

3. Battle of Chesma.

1. Background of the battle.

G.A. Spiridov was clear that without striking the Turkish fleet it was impossible to achieve success on land. A.G. Orlov, at the insistence of the admiral, decided to transfer military operations to the sea. By this time, the Russian naval forces in the Archipelago had increased after the arrival of D. Elphinstone's squadron, which consisted of 3 ships, 2 frigates and 3 other ships.

May 15 G.A. Spiridov with four battleships and a frigate left Navarino to join the squadron of D. Elphinstone. A detachment of A.G. was left to defend the fortress. Orlova (a battleship and several small vessels).

The second Archipelago squadron under the command of Rear Admiral D. Elphinstone, consisting of three battleships "Tver", "Saratov", "Don't Touch Me", frigates "Nadezhda" and "Afrika", three transports and kick (total 3250 people) left from Kronstadt on October 9, 1769. The ship "Tver", which lost all its masts during a storm in the Baltic Sea, returned to Revel, instead of it, the ship "Svyatoslav" joined the squadron. After a difficult transition, the squadron reached England, where all the ships were brought into the dock for repairs. In early May 1770, D. Elphinstone approached the shores of the Morea and, without waiting for the order of the commander-in-chief A.G. Orlov, on his own initiative, landed landing troops delivered from Russia in the Kolokynthian Bay in the port of Rupino and ordered them to go to Mizitra.

After the landing of the troops, D. Elphinstone, having received information from the Greeks about the presence of the Turkish fleet nearby, instead of connecting with the squadron of G.A. Spiridov went in search of the Turks. On May 16, having passed Cape Angello, Russian sailors saw the enemy near the island of Spezia. Ignoring the fact that the Turkish fleet, which consisted of 10 battleships, 5 frigates and 7 small ships, was three times stronger than his squadron, Elphinstone, who cared only about his own glory, without waiting for the connection with the first squadron, recklessly rushed to the Turks. In the determination of the admiral to engage in battle with such unequal forces, the ambition of the Englishman, who did not want to share the laurels of a possible victory with the Russian admiral, played a significant role, while the defeat of D. Elphinstone, meanwhile, would inevitably lead to the defeat of G.A. Spiridova. At six o'clock in the evening, the Russian detachment caught up with the Turks, and a battle broke out between the ships near the island of Spezia. "Don't Touch Me", "Saratov", supported by the frigate "Nadezhda", attacked two ships of the Turks. The Turkish admiral Ibrahim Hasan Pasha, who assumed that in front of him was only the vanguard of the Russian fleet, followed by the main forces, under full sail hastened to take refuge under the protection of the batteries of the fortress of Napoli di Romagna.

On the morning of the next day, May 17, D. Elphinstone attacked the Turkish ships that were on springs under the cover of batteries. Russian ships fired on the move. From the shots of "Svyatoslav" on the Turkish flagship, the bowsprit caught fire, and he left the battle line. Russian ships also received some minor damage, with up to 10 people killed and wounded on them. Fearing that with the onset of calm, the ships would not be able to maneuver, and realizing that he would not be able to defeat the superior forces of the enemy on his own, D. Elphinstone left the bay.

After holding out for 5 days at the entrance to the Navpli Bay and receiving information that the squadron of G.A. Spiridova is located in the Kolokinth Bay, D. Elphinstone went to meet the admiral and on May 22 connected with him near the island of Tserigo.

After the departure of D. Elphinstone, the Turkish fleet hastened to leave the Navpli Gulf, and our united squadrons overtook it on May 24 already at the island of La Spezia. The ships marching in the forefront, despite the distance, opened fire on the enemy, but did not reach the hits. From that time, that is, from May 25, the Russian chase for the fleeing fleet of Kapudan Pasha continued for almost a month. It should be noted that the Turkish ships were not inferior to the Russians either in the quality of construction or in the strength of artillery.

Pursued for two days, the Turks finally disappeared from sight between the islands of Zeya and Fermo, and our fleet, lacking fresh water, went after it into Rafty Bay, and D. Elphinstone's detachment managed to capture a 4-gun enemy battery near the Negropont fortress.

Meanwhile, Turkish troops approached Navarino, and the stay of the Russians in this port was threatened. Therefore, on May 23, the fortifications of the fortress were blown up, and the remaining ships under the command of A.G. Orlova on May 27 went to join the fleet, which was waiting for him between the islands of Hermia and Milo.

2. Battle in the Chios Strait.

G.A. Spiridov and D. Elphinstone, pursuing one common goal, sailed together, but with independence from each other and the impudent, quarrelsome character of D. Elphinstone, they could not help but quarrel. Having learned about the quarrel between the flagships, the commander-in-chief Count A.G. Orlov, without understanding their mutual claims, took command of both squadrons and on June 11 raised the Kaiser flag on his ship "Three Hierarchs".

Now our fleet consisted of 9 battleships (one 80-gun and eight 66-gun), 3 frigates, 1 bombardment ship, 3 kick, 1 packet boat and 13 hired and prize ships. There were about 740 guns on Russian ships.

Having learned from the Greeks that the Turkish fleet had gone north from the island of Paros, the Russian ships also headed north along the coast of Asia Minor. Sent on June 23 to search for the enemy fleet, the detachment of Brigadier S.K. Greiga (the battleship "Rostislav" and 2 small ships), soon found him anchored in the strait between the coast of Asia Minor and the island of Chios. At 17 o'clock he raised the signal: "I see enemy ships." The Turkish fleet consisted of 16 ships of the line (one 100-gun, one 96-gun, four 84-gun, one 80-gun, two 74-gun, one 70-gun, six 60-gun), 6 frigates and up to 60 small ships , galleys, etc.

The Turks stood in two lines near the Anatolian coast. In the first - 10 most powerful battleships 70-100-gun, in the second - 60-gun. Moreover, the ships of the second line stood in the gaps between the ships of the first line. Such a formation made it possible for the Turks to bring into battle the artillery of one side of all ships at once. Small ships were located between the coast and the lines of battleships. On the shore was the camp of the enemy. In total, the Turkish fleet had over 1400 guns. The fleet was commanded by the Algerian sailor Dzhezairmo-Hassan-bey, known for his courage; the chief commander of the fleet, Kapudan Pasha (Admiral General) Hassan Eddin, moved ashore and was in the camp ground forces located on the nearest coast.

“Seeing such a structure,” Count A. Orlov reported, “I was horrified and was in the dark: what should I do?”

On the night of June 24, a military council was held on the ship "Three Hierarchs", in which A.G. and F.G. Orlovs, G.A. Spiridov, D. Elphinstone, S.K. Greig, General Yu.V. Dolgorukov. It adopted a plan of attack for the Turkish fleet. Departing from the rules of linear tactics that prevailed in the European fleets, a new tactic was chosen: to descend on the enemy in a wake column almost perpendicular to his battle line and attack under sail from a short distance (50–70 m) the vanguard and part of the center and deliver a concentrated strike on the Turkish flagship, which should have led to a violation of the control of the Turkish fleet.

June 24, 1770 at 11 o'clock in the morning, with a calm northwest wind, the Russian fleet, being in the wind relative to the Turks, lined up, began to approach the enemy.

The fleet was built in a warrant battle. Nine battleships were divided into three equal groups: the avant-garde - battleships "Europe" (captain of the 1st rank F.A. Klokachev), "Evstafiy" (flag of Admiral G.A. Spiridov, commander captain of the 1st rank A. I. von Cruz), "Three Hierarchs" (captain of the 1st rank S.P. Khmetevsky); corps debatalia - battleships "Ianuary" (captain of the 1st rank I.A. Borisov), "Three Hierarchs" (Kaiser-flag A.G. Orlova, commander-captain-brigadier S.K. Greig), "Rostislav" (captain 1st rank V.M. Lupandin); rearguard - battleships "Don't Touch Me" (flag of Rear Admiral D. Elphinstone, commander-captain of the 1st rank P.F. Beshentsov), "Svyatoslav" (captain of the 1st rank V.V. Roksburg), "Saratov "(Captain 2nd rank A.G. Polivanov). The Russian fleet had only one 80-gun ship "Svyatoslav", the rest of the ships were 66-gun. In total, the Russians had 608 guns.

The bombardier ship, frigates, packet boats and other small craft sailed outside the line and did not participate in the battle.

The ship "Europe" was leading, heading almost to the middle of the enemy line, perpendicular to it. The next in line, "Evstafiy" was so close that his bowsprit almost touched the stern of the "Europe". When the "Europe" approached the enemy at a cannon shot (500-600 m), the Turks opened fire and began to fire on our other ships, which continued to move closer without responding to enemy fire.

The Turks at the beginning of the battle had a clear advantage - they met the Russian ships with longitudinal volleys, while the Russian ships could only fire from linear (bow) guns, but they were silent.

Only approaching the distance of a pistol shot, "Europe" turned and opened fire with all sides. The Russian ships following her turned to the north and fired volleys with double shots at the Turkish ships. Then they slowly, close to each other, began to move along the line of Turkish ships, firing artillery.

But soon, at the insistence of the Greek pilot, who announced that the course leads to stones, F.A. Klokachev had to turn on the right tack and leave the line. Admiral G.A. Spiridov, not understanding this maneuver, was so angry that he could not restrain himself and shouted: “Mr. Klokachev! I congratulate you as a sailor, ”that is, in front of the entire squadron, he accused him of cowardice and threatened to demote him. But a day later, F.A. Klokachev proved his courage and bravery.

The place of "Europe" was taken by "Evstafiy", on which the shots of three Turkish ships were concentrated, of which the largest and closest was the ship of the commander-in-chief. "Evstafiy" turned sideways to the enemy and from a distance of 50 m (pistol shot) concentrated fire on the flagship of the Turks "Real Mustafa". Following the "Evstafiy", the rest of the ships of the squadron G.A. sequentially entered the battle. Spiridov, the three ships of D. Elphinstone, who were in the rearguard, fell behind and managed to approach only the end of the battle.

The "Three Saints" tried to help the flagship, but the braces were broken on it, the sails were seriously damaged, and it was blown into the middle of the Turkish fleet. During the stay between the Turkish ships of the "Three Saints", acting from both sides, he fired 684 shots from the cannons. In smoke, in addition to enemy fire, he came under fire from the flagship A.G. Orlov "Three Hierarchs". At the beginning of the battle, "Ianuarius", following the "Three Hierarchs", continuously hit the enemy with well-aimed shots. In the wake of the "Ianuarius" followed the "Three Hierarchs" under the Kaiser flag A.G. Orlov.

Having entered the thick of the battle, he anchored and brought down the fire of his guns on the 100-gun ship of the Turkish Kapudan Pasha, which at that time was on the shore. They fired from guns, rifles, even pistols. Confusion seized the crew of the Turkish ship, the Turks cut off the anchor rope, but forgot about the spring, and the Turkish ship suddenly turned stern towards the Three Hierarchs and stood like that for about fifteen minutes under devastating longitudinal shots. In this situation, not a single Turkish gun could act against the "Three Hierarchs".

At 12.30, when the battle was in full swing, the "Three Saints" repaired the damage under enemy fire and again entered the line as the fourth ship. Behind him, Rostislav entered service, and then Europe, which left the line at the beginning of the battle.

"Evstafy", approaching the Turkish flagship 90-gun ship "Real-Mustafa" for a gun shot, more and more approached the enemy. Admiral G.A. Spiridov in dress uniform, with a drawn sword, paced around the poop. The musicians who were placed right there were ordered: "to play to the last." The fighting ships converged side by side; on the Eustathia, the broken rigging and spars, damaged sails and many killed and wounded did not make it possible to move away from the enemy, with whom they were already exchanging fire with rifles and pistols. At one o'clock in the afternoon, from the fire of unicorns from the Eustathius, a fire broke out on the Real Mustafa, which soon spread throughout the ship. Finally, the ships fell down, the Russian sailors ran to the enemy ship, and a desperate hand-to-hand fight began, during which the Turkish ship continued to burn. Its main mast, engulfed in fire, fell across the Eustathius. Sparks rained down into the open during the battle kryuyt-chamber. There was a deafening explosion - "Evstafiy" took off into the air, and after him and "Real-Mustafa". Admiral G.A. Spiridov, convinced of the impossibility of saving the ship, in accordance with the charter before the explosion, together with Count F.G. Orlov got on the boat. Boats hurried to the Eustathius from the nearest Russian ships, but they managed to take only G.A. Spiridova, F.G. Orlova and several people. Up to 620 people died on the ship, including 22 officers, and up to 60 were saved. Among the latter was the commander of the ship A.I. Cruz, thrown out of the ship by the explosion and kept on the water on a fragment of the mast, from which he was removed by an approaching boat.

At this most tense moment, the Turkish ships standing next to the flagship, fleeing the fire and the fire of the Russian ships, hastily cut off the anchor ropes, left the battle and hurried to take refuge in the Chesme Bay. The Russians pursued them to the entrance to the bay. The battle lasted about two hours. From the Russian side, only the vanguard and corps de battle took part in it, the rearguard of D. Elphinstone took part only in the pursuit of the enemy.

Although the Turkish fleet lost only one ship, as did the Russians, it was in great disarray after the battle. In their hasty flight, the Turkish ships collided with each other, causing some to lose their bowsprits.

With the exception of "Evstafiy", our losses were very insignificant. The ship of the "Three Saints" suffered more than others, which received several holes in the hull, its spars and rigging were killed by cannonballs, and the loss in people: 1 officer and 6 sailors were killed, the commander, 3 officers and 20 sailors were wounded. On all other ships, the number of killed and wounded did not exceed 12.

3. Battle of Chesma.

The Russian fleet anchored at the entrance to the Chesme Bay outside of enemy shots, at a distance of no more than one cable from the ship. The Turks, unable to break through our line due to a calm and contrary wind, in anticipation of a favorable wind or help from Constantinople, hurried to strengthen the protection of the fleet by coastal fortifications. There was already a battery on the northern cape of the bay, now they were building another one - on the southern one.

At 17 o'clock, the bombardment ship "Thunder" (captain-lieutenant I.M. Perepechin) anchored in front of the entrance to the Chesme Bay and began shelling the Turkish fleet, which was in disarray, from mortars and howitzers.

The remainder of the 24th, all night and day on June 25, "Thunder" methodically "thrown" bombs and frames on enemy ships, some of them hit without causing fires. The prolonged shelling demoralized the Turks and prepared the conditions for the main attack.

At the military council on June 25, which met with the commander-in-chief on the ship "Three Hierarchs", it was decided from the flagships and captains, by closing the exit from the Chesme Bay for Turkish ships, to burn it with a combined strike of naval artillery and firewalls. If the fireships were available, the attack could have been launched on the evening of June 24, immediately after the Turks entered the bay. However, there were no ready-made firewalls in the Russian squadron. They were ordered to be made by the foreman of naval artillery I.A. Hannibal. During the day, four fire-ships from old Greek feluccas were equipped. Lieutenant Commander T. Mackenzie, Lieutenant Commander R.K. Dugdal, midshipman Prince V.A. Gagarin, Lieutenant D.S. Ilyin. Fire-ship teams were also recruited from volunteers.

To attack the Turkish fleet, a detachment was allocated consisting of four battleships - "Rostislav", "Don't Touch Me", "Europe" and "Saratov", two frigates "Nadezhda" (captain-lieutenant P.A. Stepanov) and "Africa" (Lieutenant-Captain M. Kleopin) and bombardment ship "Thunder".

Brigadier S.K. was appointed commander of the detachment. Greig, who raised the braided pennant on the Rostislav. In the order of the commander-in-chief, given on this occasion, it is said: “Our cause must be decisive, so that this fleet will be defeated and ruined without continuing time, without which here, in the Archipelago, we cannot have free hands for distant victories.”

The width of the Chesme Bay is about 750 meters, and its length does not exceed 800 meters. The Turkish fleet was crowded in the depths of the bay, and given that the average length of the ship was about 54 meters, one can imagine how densely the Turkish ships stood along the width of the bay. Turkish batteries were located on the shore of the bay. The Turkish fleet was an ideal target for an attack by fire-ships, and the decision of the Russian command was fully in line with both the situation and the task.

According to the disposition given by S.K. Greig, the battleships "Europe", "Rostislav" and "Saratov" were supposed to enter the bay and anchor as close as possible to the enemy. "Don't Touch Me" was supposed to be positioned more seaward in order to provide them with assistance if necessary. The frigate "Hope" was supposed to operate on the northern battery of the Turks, the frigate "Africa" ​​- on the southern one. "Thunder" was supposed to take a position seaward of the ships.

At 23.00, three lanterns were raised on the Rostislav - a signal to attack. The frigate Nadezhda was supposed to go first, but it was delayed. Then G.A. Spiridov from the "Three Hierarchs" ordered F.A. Klokachev to withdraw immediately, without waiting for other courts.

At 23.30, the ship "Europe" was the first to weigh anchor and, according to the order, took a place in the immediate vicinity of the Turkish ships. At 00.30 on June 26, he started a battle with the entire Turkish fleet, opening fire with cannonballs and brandskugels, and for about half an hour, enemy shots were directed at him alone, until other ships of the detachment entered into action.

By one o'clock in the morning, he arrived at the place appointed according to the disposition "Rostislav". Behind him were manufactured fire-ships. Following the "Europe" and "Rostislav" other ships and frigates came and took their places.

At the beginning of the second hour, an incendiary projectile successfully fired from the bombardment ship "Thunder" caused a fire on one of the Turkish ships, which stood in the center of the bay, the fire from which spread to the nearest leeward ships. A victorious "hurray" was heard in our fleet.

At this time, on a signal from Rostislav, fireships went on the attack. With the beginning of the fire-ship attack, the Russian ships ceased fire. Of the four fireships, one (lieutenant commander T. Mackenzie), not reaching the enemy line, became aground, the other (lieutenant commander R.K. Dugdal) was boarded by Turkish galleys, the third (warrant officer prince V.A. Gagarin ) fell off with an already burning ship. The commander of the fourth firewall, Lieutenant D.S. Ilyin, not only grappled with a large Turkish 84-gun ship, but when he lit his fire-ship, then, moving away in a boat, he also looked at what his action would be. A huge Turkish ship roared into the air, burning debris fell on neighboring ships and they also caught fire. Convinced that he had done his job, D.S. Ilyin returned to the Three Hierarchs on a boat.

With the end of the fire-ship attack, the Russian ships supporting their attack again opened fire on the enemy. At the end of the second hour, two Turkish ships of the line took off into the air. At 2.30 three more Turkish ships ceased to exist. By 3 o'clock the fighting had ceased; our ships, showered with sparks, hurried to pull away from the burning ships and take out the Turkish ships, not covered by fire, saving the remaining living enemies. By this time, over 40 ships were blazing in the bay, representing a sea of ​​\u200b\u200bfire. From 4:00 to 5:30, six more battleships exploded. At the 7th hour, a deafening explosion was heard, surpassing everything that had been so far in strength - four more ships exploded at the same time.

Explosions on Turkish ships lasted up to 10 hours. At 9 o'clock, the Russians landed a landing party, which took the battery on the northern cape.

The Turkish fleet was destroyed: 15 ships, 6 frigates and up to 50 small ships burned down at the enemy, up to 11 thousand Turks died.

According to eyewitnesses, the water in the bay was a thick mixture of ash, mud, debris and blood.

Russian sailors rescued from the fire and brought the ship "Rhodes" and 6 galleys out of the bay. "Rhodes" made up for the loss of "Evstafiya", the captain of the 1st rank A.I., who escaped from the "Evstafiya", was appointed its commander. Cruz.

Our losses were negligible: only on one ship "Europe", which received 14 holes, there were 9 people killed and wounded, and on the ship "Rostislav" there were several damages in the mast and hull.

4. The results and significance of the Chesme battle.

The Chesme pogrom, having destroyed the Turkish fleet, made the Russians masters of the Archipelago. Significantly inferior to the enemy in the number of ships and guns, being thousands of miles from their ports, the Russian fleet, thanks to the correct use of the tactical situation, the courage and heroism of the Russian sailors, won a major victory and destroyed the strongest enemy fleet.

In memory of this victory, a medal was struck, on one side of which there was a portrait of Catherine II, on the other, a burning Turkish fleet and the inscription "WAS" were depicted.

After the destruction of the Turkish fleet at Chesme, the Russian fleet gained strategic dominance in the theater and was able to carry out the blockade of the Dardanelles and destroy the enemy's maritime trade. On June 28, having repaired the damage, the Russian ships left the Chesme Bay.

A detachment under the command of D. Elphinstone, consisting of three battleships, two frigates and several transports, went to the Dardanelles and on July 15 established a blockade of the strait.

For our further stay in the Archipelago, our fleet needed to have a convenient port. Count A.G. Orlov, convinced by experience of the impossibility of a safe base in some coastal point on the mainland, decided to choose one of the islands of the Archipelago for this. When choosing a port, the possibility of a close blockade of the Dardanelles was taken into account, which was supposed to stop the supply of food from the Archipelago, cause famine in Constantinople and thereby help organize a popular uprising. It was decided to take the port of Mudros, located on the island of Lemnos, which lies near the entrance to the Dardanelles. Leaving D. Elphinstone at the blockade of the strait, A.G. Orlov with the squadron G.A. Spiridov on July 19 began the siege of the main fortress of the island of Lemnos - Pelari. A landing party (500 people) was landed on the island, which was joined by up to 1000 people of the local population. But when, after an intensified bombardment, its garrison was already ready to surrender, on September 25, a Turkish squadron approached the island, landing troops (up to 5 thousand people) on it.

This happened as a result of D. Elphinstone's unauthorized departure from the Dardanelles. Rear Admiral left the squadron blocking the Dardanelles and on September 5 on the ship "Svyatoslav" went to Lemnos. However, approaching the island, on September 7, he crashed on the eastern Lemnos reef.

To save the flagship, several ships had to be called from the Dardanelles.

Transferring to the ship "Don't Touch Me" and leaving one of his frigates at the crashing ship, D. Elphinstone went to Pelari. By this, he weakened the blockade of the Dardanelles to such an extent that the Turks were able to freely leave the strait. The Russians were forced to stop the siege of the fortress and leave Lemnos.

Due to the inability to seize another port convenient for our fleet near the Dardanelles, the commander-in-chief chose the port of Auzu, located on the small island of Paros, lying in the southern part of the Archipelago, not occupied by the Turks. It was safer here, but the distance of Paros from the Dardanelles made it very difficult to maintain a constant, close blockade of the strait. Fortifications, an admiralty, shops and a camp for ground forces were built in Auz. Auza remained the main base of the Russian fleet in the Archipelago until the middle of 1775.

D. Elphinstone was removed from command, sent to Russia and then completely dismissed from service.

Due to the remoteness of Ausa from the Dardanelles, the implementation of the nearest blockade of the strait became difficult. It was carried out depending on the situation. At the same time, the main forces of the fleet were stationed south of the island of Imroz, and small detachments, consisting mainly of frigates, were sent to the Dardanelles.

The distant blockade of the Dardanelles was carried out constantly by small detachments of ships, cruising along the enemy's communication routes. The detachments captured a large number of merchant ships.

On December 25, 1770, the third squadron of Rear Admiral Arfa came to Auza - (the battleships "St. George the Victorious", "Vsevolod", "Asia" and 13 transports with troops numbering 2690 people.

One of the consequences of the successful operation of our fleet was the adoption at the beginning of 1771 of Russian citizenship by the inhabitants of 25 small islands lying in the middle of the Archipelago from Tasso to Candia.

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SUBJECT: Creation of the Black Sea Fleet. Foundation of Sevastopol.

Issues under consideration:

1. Foundation of Sevastopol

1. Foundation of Sevastopol

Many centuries ago, people appreciated these places convenient for life: the remains of ancient settlements discovered by archaeologists date back to the first millennium BC. Here lived the tribes of Taurians, Scythians, Sarmatians. In the 5th century BC. on the shores of the bay, which is now called Quarantine, settled the ancient Greeks, immigrants from Heraclea Pontica. They founded Tauric Chersonesus - a city-state that existed for two millennia (from the 5th century BC to the 15th century AD) and played an important role in the historical fate of the Northern Black Sea region.

In the IX-X centuries. the Slavs fought against the then powerful Byzantium for the Northern Black Sea region, for the Crimea. In the second half of the XI century. Crimea was cut off from the rest of the territory by numerous nomadic hordes of the Polovtsy, in the XIII century. The hordes of Batu invaded the Crimea. After the collapse of the Golden Horde in 1443, arose Crimean Khanate, since 1475 - a vassal of Turkey, which used it as a weapon to attack Russian, Ukrainian and Polish lands.

During Russian-Turkish war 1768 - 1774 Russian troops captured the Crimea. Under an agreement with the khan (1772) and the Kyuchuk-Kainarji peace (July 10, 1774), the Crimean Khanate was declared independent from Turkey and passed under the protection of Russia. A.V. Suvorov was sent to command the Russian troops in the Crimea. He highly appreciated the excellent qualities of the bays of Sevastopol and, five years before the founding of the city, erected the first fortifications here, did everything to oust the Turkish flotilla from the Akhtiar harbor - about 170 ships.

Like Kronstadt in the Baltic, Sevastopol was founded as a fortress and naval base on the Black Sea.
The foundation of Sevastopol secured the return of Russia to its ancestral lands on the coast of the Black and Azov Seas. This was preceded by the centuries-old struggle of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples for the Crimea and the Black Sea.
military campaigns in mid-sixteenth centuries of Ivan the Terrible, the campaigns of Golitsyn in the 17th century, the Azov campaigns of Peter I, who created the Don Flotilla and the Azov Fleet, the ongoing struggle of the Zaporozhye and Don Cossacks against the Tatars and Turks were important stages in the struggle for the Crimea and for access to the Black Sea. It unfolded with even greater acuteness in the 18th century.
The Crimean peninsula, which protrudes into the sea and divides it into two parts, is at a fairly close distance from the straits connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean. Many large rivers flow into the Black Sea, which favors navigation and trade. It is no coincidence that therefore the Crimea and the Black Sea have always occupied an important place in the aggressive plans of foreign invaders. Russia took measures to consolidate the won position in the area - built cities, created a fleet.
Great importance had the activity in the Crimea of ​​the great Russian commander A. V. Suvorov. He was one of the first to appreciate the remarkable advantages and military-strategic significance of the Sevastopol Bay. The name of A. V. Suvorov is associated with the foundation and development of Sevastopol as a fortress city.
In the autumn of 1782, the first Russian ships - the frigates "Brave" and "Cautious" - came to the Akhtiar harbor for the winter. Even before the inclusion of Crimea into Russia, the Russian government appointed Vice Admiral F.A. Klokachev. He was ordered to transfer part of the ships of the Azov and Dnieper flotillas to the Akhtiar harbor. The ships arrived in Akhtiar on May 2 (13), 1783. There were only 17 of them in the first Sevastopol squadron. Thus, a new fleet was born in Russia, which was called the Black Sea.

The construction of the port and the military settlement at it began. The construction manager was the flag officer, Lieutenant D.N. Senyavin. On June 3, the first four stone buildings were laid: the house for the admiral, the pier, the forge and the chapel. Already on July 2, the commander of the Sevastopol squadron, F.F. Mekenzi, reported to St. Petersburg about the creation of a small admiralty in the Akhtiar harbor. It was a forge, a mast shed, timber and rope warehouses, a platform for keeling ships on the shore of one of the bays.
By the spring of 1784, the first streets appeared, the embankment was finished with stone, houses and palaces grew, sidewalks lined with fruit trees were laid.

By decree of Catherine II of February 10, 1784, the city received the name Sevastopol. By the same Decree, Prince G.A. Potemkin was ordered to build a large fortress with an admiralty for ships of the first rank, as well as a port and a military settlement in the Akhtiar harbor. At that time, there were already 26 ships in the bay with 4,000 sailors and officers.
On February 21, 1784, the Russian government announced the free and unhindered trade of foreign and local merchants in Sevastopol, delivering goods both by sea and by land. In the spring of the same year, the first merchant ships of Kerch and Taganrog merchants appeared in the city. In honor of the founding of Sevastopol, a commemorative medal was minted in St. Petersburg.
The assertion of Russia in the Northern Black Sea region, the annexation of Crimea to Russia and the construction of the Sevastopol naval base and fortress provoked a sharp protest from Turkey. It was supported by England and France. Around the "Crimean issue" began a diplomatic struggle that lasted for several years. England became the head of the anti-Russian company. In a difficult international situation, Catherine II undertook a "journey to Tauris". It became a political demonstration against anti-Russian propaganda in Western European countries and was intended to show Russia's preparedness for a war in the Black Sea. The retinue of Catherine II was especially struck by everything they saw in Sevastopol on May 22-23, 1787. A young but strong fleet of 27 warships and 8 transports lined up in the bay, welcoming the guests with cannon fire. A solemn review of the squadron was arranged and an "attack" by the fleet of the coast - the North side was demonstrated. The French envoy Segur, who accompanied Catherine II on a trip to the Crimea, wrote: “I’m afraid that in 30 hours the flags of her (Catherine II) ships may fly in the sight of Constantinople, and the banners of her army will be hoisted on its walls.”
In 1792, there were 15 thousand inhabitants in Sevastopol. There were 58 ships with 1,322 guns and over 9,000 personnel in the port. Another 18 ships were under construction. Trade grew, only in four months (February-May) 20 foreign ships arrived in Sevastopol and Balaklava.
In 1797 Paul I renamed Sevastopol into Akhtiar. However, after his death, the city was returned to its former name.

A major role in the construction of Sevastopol was played by the "sea Suvorov" - an outstanding naval commander, Admiral F. F. Ushakov. The fleet was significantly increased, a system of new fortifications was created, many buildings were built, a large hospital, workshops and warehouses, a public garden was opened, which was named Ushakova Balka.
Having won many brilliant victories, Ushakov made a great contribution to the development of naval art and was the founder of the Black Sea school of naval training, which gave Russia many outstanding naval commanders.

In 1804, the Russian government officially declared Sevastopol the main military port of the Black Sea Fleet (instead of Kherson), and in 1809 - a military fortress. The chief commander of the fleet and ports of the Black Sea since 1805 was at the same time the governor of Sevastopol.
The military situation, the growth of the fleet, commercial shipping and trade constantly demanded the further development of the Sevastopol port. To secure the entrance to the port at night, in 1818. a stone lighthouse about 40 m high was built on Cape Khersones. In 1820, two beacons were erected in Inkerman - the highest in the country - one of them shines from a height of 122 m.
Industry developed further. The main enterprise of the city was the Admiralty, where warships were repaired, keeled and equipped, and from 1808 the construction of small combat and auxiliary ships began. In 1810, the first corvette was built - "Crimea", equipped with 18 guns.
In 1812-1813. in Inkerman built a new state-owned plant - nitrate, which began the production of gunpowder. But due to the lack of local raw materials, the plant did not last long. State-owned brick and lime factories, stone quarries, bakeries with dryers for making biscuits were opened. "Enterprising people" opened small semi-handicraft factories. In 1815 there were 3 tanneries, 3 candle factories, 1 vodka, 1 brewery. There were fish, barnyard (transportation through the bays), tailoring, shoemaking and other crafts. There were 202 trading establishments in the city, in addition to the city, a bazaar arose on the North side. Two fairs were held annually.
At the beginning of the second quarter of the XIX century. Sevastopol was the most big city in Crimea. It had about 30 thousand inhabitants.

In 1832, Admiral M.P. Lazarev was appointed chief of staff of the fleet, and in 1834 chief commander of the fleet and ports of the Black Sea. He made a great contribution to the development of the Black Sea Fleet, as well as to the construction and improvement of Sevastopol. Under his leadership, five stone forts were erected - batteries that protected the city from the sea. The great merit of M.P. Lazarev was the almost complete renewal ship's composition fleet. It was replenished with 160 new combat, auxiliary and transport ships, incl. 32 steamships. On October 4, 1840, a new admiralty was founded on the territory between the South and Korabelnaya bays (now the Marine Plant named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze). It has been under construction for over ten years. The Sevastopol docks, built with the latest technology, were considered at that time the height of engineering excellence.

Trade has been further developed. In 1838, 170 ships came to Sevastopol with various goods (35 left with cargoes). In 1831 there were 20 merchants in the city, in 1848 - 83. Most of them supplied flour, meat, cereals, salt, firewood for the fleet. During this period, there were 280 different shops in the city, of which 46 were “drinking establishments”. The construction of sea fortifications, the Admiralty, embankments and new piers, numerous buildings in the city center caused a large influx of workers, up to 30 thousand people. For 1815-1853. the population of the city increased from 30 to 47.4 thousand people, incl. civil from 11.2 to 20 thousand. The number of houses for the same period increased from 1105 to 2810. The city had 43 streets and 4 squares.
The first medical institution in Sevastopol was the Marine Hospital, at first temporary, barrack-type. In 1790-1791. a two-story building with 200 seats was built for it. He served only the military, the families of officers and the city's nobility. The rest of the population was treated for a long time by one city doctor, who was also in charge of the sanitary condition of bazaars, bakeries, and trading establishments.
In 1826, a youth school for 100 students was opened, and two years later, a civil county school for 40 students. In the next 8 years, schools for sailors' daughters, a parish school, and a private boarding school for noble maidens appeared. In 1846, there were only 13 teachers and 404 students, incl. 74 girls.
At the same time, Sevastopol becomes the second center of marine sciences in Russia after St. Petersburg. In 1842, the first sailing directions for the Black and Azov Seas were published. An important contribution to historical science were the excavations of ancient Chersonese. In 1822, one of the first in the country, the Maritime Library, was opened in Sevastopol, and in 1843, a stone theater building was built on the square at the foot of the Boulevard Height. It did not have a permanent troupe; visiting actors performed, including from Italy and Spain.
This was Sevastopol the day before Crimean War during which he gained worldwide fame.

2. Creation of the Black Sea Fleet.

Black Sea FleetRussian Empire originates fromRussian military fleet created on Black Sea after joiningCrimea from ships Azov and Dnieper Flotilla .

On February 13, 1783, a detachment of 11 ships of the Azov flotilla under the flag of Vice Admiral F. A. Klokachev arrived in the Akhtiar Bay for permanent basing. The next day, the construction of the city and the military port of Akhtiar began (since February 21, 1784 - Sevastopol).

Creation of a fleet

May 2 (13) 1783 Azov flotilla (11 ships) entered the Akhtiar Bay (Crimean Peninsula), where Sevastopol was founded, which became the main base of the fleet (from1804 - the main military port). Later, 17 ships of the Dnieper flotilla arrived here. These ships formed the core of the new fleet.

1. Focus geek. 2. Fock hafel. 3. Grota geek. 4. Mainsail. 5. Mizzen geek. 6. Mizzen hafel.

• On single-masted vessels (e.g. sloop, tender) the boom and hafel usually do not have the prefix "mainsail-" or any other prefix, being simply called "boom" and "gafel".

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