December 1 - Day of Victory of the Russian squadron at Cape Sinop: the history of the memorable date

Every year on December 1, the Russian Federation celebrates the Day of Military Glory, established in memory of the victory of the Russian squadron at Cape Sinop in 1853. In 2024, the memorable date falls on a Sunday. "Izvestia" tells about the history and significance of one of the largest battles of the Crimean War.

Day of the victory of the Russian squadron at Cape Sinop - the history of the memorable date

In 1853, a conflict broke out between Russia and Turkey, the formal reason for which was the Turkish sultan's refusal to restore the rights and privileges of the Orthodox community in the country. Thus began the Crimean War, which soon developed from a confrontation between two states into a struggle between the Russian Empire and a coalition of England, France and Turkey. The Battle of Sinop was one of the first major battles of the war.

In November 1853, a Turkish squadron under the command of Osman Pasha stopped for a raid at Cape Sinop on the northern coast of Turkey. It was expected to support the forces assembled at Batumi.

Having learned about the location of the enemy, the commander of the Russian Black Sea squadron Vice-Admiral Pavel Nakhimov decided to block the enemy ships from the sea and wait for reinforcements to attack.

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It was decided to approach the enemy on November 30. In response to this maneuver, the Turkish side opened artillery fire. Began a fierce duel between the two squadrons, which ended with the destruction of almost all Turkish ships. Only the steamer "Taif" commanded by Adolphus Slade, an English advisor to Osman Pasha, managed to escape.

As a result of the battle, the Turks lost about 3 thousand people, 200 more were captured. Osman Pasha himself did not escape the fate of a prisoner of war. The Russian squadron, although it received considerable damage, kept all its ships, and human losses amounted to only 37 people killed and 235 wounded.

Significance and results of the Battle of Sinop

Thanks to the brilliant victory in the Battle of Sinop, the Russian fleet managed to achieve a dominant position in the Black Sea and thwart the plans of the Turkish command to land in the Caucasus.

However, the triumph subsequently turned out for Russia the expansion of the military conflict. Fearing the strengthening of Russian influence in the East, France and England concluded an alliance with Turkey and in December 1953 entered the Crimean War.

Day of victory of the Russian squadron at Cape Sinop 2024 - interesting facts

In honor of the holiday, Izvestia collected several interesting facts about the Battle of Sinop.

The Battle of Cape Sinop was the last major clash of sailing ships in history. In the future, military campaigns used mainly steam ships. At the same time, the Battle of Sinop was the first squadron battle with the use of steamers, in which both sides had this technical innovation. The Russian squadron had another advantage - the latest 68-pounder "bombic" guns, which fired bursting shells.

The commander of the Turkish squadron Osman Pasha was thrown on the burning ship by his subordinates and almost died. He was saved by Russian sailors. When Nakhimov asked the captured admiral if he had any requests, the Turk asked to honorably reward the sailors who risked their lives to save him.

There is an opinion that the three stripes on the guyusa (sailor's collar) symbolize three great sea battles: Gangut 1714, Chesmensky 1770 and Sinop 1853.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and significance of the Day of Victory of the Russian Navy at Cape Gangut.