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Victory of Russian fleet under command of F. Ushakov in battle of Cape Kaliakria
The Russian fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral F. Ushakov, defeated a superior Turkish-Algerian squadron in a naval battle at Cape Kaliakria, during the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1791, on July 31 (August 11), 1791.
The Russian Navy played an important role in the campaign of 1791 after major victories achieved by Russian troops under General-in-Chief A. Suvorov over the Turkish army. These included the Battles of Rymnik, the capture of the Ochakov and Izmail fortresses. The commander of the Russian forces, Field Marshal G. Potemkin, tasked Counter Admiral F. Ushakov to "look for the enemy wherever they were in the Black Sea and dominating the area so that Russian shores would be untouchable". In turn, the Ottoman Empire hoped to regain its lost supremacy in the Black Sea and strengthen its position at negotiations with Russia through a naval battle. An Algerian squadron was sent to assist the Turks from the Mediterranean.
On July 31st (August 11th), 1791, a Russian squadron led by Rear Admiral Fyodor Ushakov discovered the Turkish fleet anchored off the coast of Cape Kaliakria. The Russian fleet consisted of 16 battleships, two frigates, two bombardment ships, and 19 support vessels, while the Turkish fleet had 18 battleships, 17 frigates, and 43 lighter vessels.
Ushakov's squadron surprised the Turks and decided to cut off their escape route from the coast. He sent his ships between the coastline and the enemy fleet, taking an advantageous position on the windward side. This bold tactic, which violated the established rules of naval warfare at the time, was later successfully employed by the English admiral Horatio Nelson in the battles of Aboukir and Trafalgar.
The Turkish squadron tried frantically to line up in battle formation, but several ships lost control and crashed into each other, suffering damage. At the same time, F. Ushakov's flagship "Nativity of Christ" attacked the enemy flagship. Algerian Vice Admiral Seit Ali was seriously injured by the first volley from the Russian ship. The remaining Russian vessels were firing artillery at the Ottoman fleet. Having sustained heavy losses, the enemy ships fled under the cover of darkness.
On August 13, some of the defeated Turkish vessels appeared at the Bosphorus fortresses. Many ships had no masts or yards, and almost all their sails had been shot away. The decks were strewn with dead and wounded. The flagship alone suffered 300 casualties, including 375 injured, while the Russian fleet lost one non-commissioned officer, 16 sailors, and three officers, two non-commissioned officers, and 23 sailors were injured.
On August 13, Fyodor Ushakov sent a report to Sevastopol, stating that the battle had lasted "3 ½ hours until the deepest darkness of night, at which point the enemy fleet had been completely defeated." A separate report was also sent to Grigory Potemkin. In response, His Excellency congratulated the distinguished naval commander on yet another victory, which "elevated the honor of the Russian flag and also serves as a source of special glory for you." On October 14, Ushakov received the Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky.
The brilliant success of Fyodor Ushakov's squadron at the Battle of Cape Kaliakria in 1791 accelerated the conclusion of the Treaty of Jassy with Turkey, which secured the northern Black Sea region for Russia. In 2006, on August 11th, an 8-meter monument was erected to the famous naval commander near the cape, which is now known as Kaliakra in Bulgaria.
Lit.: Гребенщикова Г. А. Черноморский флот в период правления Екатерины II. В 2 т. СПб., 2012; Овчинников В. Д. Адмирал Фёдор Ушаков – святой праведный воин. Ярославль, 2014; Овчинников В. Д. К 225-летию сражения у мыса Калиакрия // Министерство обороны РФ. Энциклопедия [Электронный ресурс]. Режим доступа: https://xn--d1abichgllj9dyd8a.xn--90anlfbebar6i.xn--p1ai/encyclopedia/history/more.htm?id=12101800@cmsArticle; Ташлыков С. Л. Калиакрийское сражение 1791 // Большая российская энциклопедия 2004–2017.
Based on the Presidential Library's materials:
Анциферов В. Адмирал Ушаков. М.; Л., 1940;
Ильинский В. П. Адмирал Ф. Ф. Ушаков в Средиземном море (1799 г.). СПб., 1914.