Battle of Sinop - Definition and Overview

The Battle of Sinope occurred 30 October, 1853 at Sinop, a sea port in northern Turkey. Russian battleships annihiliated a force of Ottoman Turk sail frigates. Only the Turkish steamer Taif managed to escape to Istanbul, pursued by the Russian steamers. It arrived on 2 November. This attack led to France and Britain declaring war on Russia in early 1854 in support of Ottoman Turkey (see Crimean War). The British and French had supported Turkey against Russia, but didn't want a war to start. When it became clear there would be a war, they hoped Russia would start it, giving them an excuse to fight Russia. The Turks had wanted to send battleships to Sinope but the British had been against this, so only frigates were sent.

Russian ships

Battleships:

• Veliky Kniaz Konstantin 120
• Tri Sviatitelia 120
• Parizh 120 (flag 2)
• Imperatriitsa Maria 84 (flag)
• Chesma 84
• Rostislav 84

Frigates:

• Kulevtcha 54
• Kagul 44

Steamers: (arrived at end of battle)

• Odessa 4
• Krym 4
• Khersones 4

Turkish ships

Frigates:

• Avni Illah 44
• Fazl Illah 44 (formerly Russian Rafail, captured 1829)
• Nizamieh 62
• Nessin Zafer 60
• Navek Bahri 58
• Damiat 56 (Egyptian)
• Kaid Zafer 54

Corvettes:

• Nejm Fishan 24
• Feyz Mabud 24
• Kel Safid 22

Steam frigate/corvette:

• Erkelye 10

Steamer:

• Taif 12