The Battle of Sinop in the historical sources of the Presidential Library

The 30th (18th) of November 2016 marks 163 years since the victory of the Russian fleet over the Turkish squadron at the cape of Sinop (or Sinope). The Presidential Library stock contains the electronic copies of rare historical documents of the XIX - the early XX century, dedicated to the last major battle of sailing fleets in the world history.

The grand sea battle took place a few days after the outbreak of war, in which at that time two empires - the Russian and the Ottoman - were opposed to each other. The squadron under the command of Nakhimov was cruising between the Crimea and the Anatolian seashore, watching the enemy. Gotten the Most High manifest about a break with Turkey, the Vice-Admiral on the 2nd of November has issued an order which was ended with the following words: “Without spreading in the instructions, I will express my thought that the best tactic afloat is a mutual help of one to another in a really close distance from the enemy. I am informing the commanders that if we meet the enemy, which is superior to us in power, I attack him, being quite sure that each of us will discharge his duty.” The full text of Nakhimov’s Order is on the Presidential Library website in an electronic copy of the Admiral Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov  rare edition of 1898.

On November 8, a fierce storm has broken out, and Nakhimov sent part of the ships for repair in Sevastopol, thus being in a very serious situation. According to E. V. Tarle in his “Nakhimov” book, published in 1942, “Nakhimov went to Sinop on the 11th of November and immediately dispatched his Aeneas Brig of the squadron with a report that there is a large Turkish fleet (seven frigates, two steamboats, two corvettes, one sloop) on the Sinop raid. A situation with Nakhimov at that moment was more than awkward, yet he decided with his small forces to block the harbor and wait for a prompt help from Sevastopol.”

Vice Admiral received reinforcements in time, on the 17th (29th) of November he had six large ships and two frigates, so Nakhimov decided to enter the harbor and attack the Turkish fleet immediately.

“On the 18th’s of November a dawn was making its lackluster way overlaid through the sky leaden clouds. Gusty wind with frequent cold rain roared over the squadron. At 9 o'clock there was light, and the squadron, on cue, lower its rowing vessels. At half past nine the alarm raised on the Admiral's ship: to prepare for battle and go to Sinop raid. Having served a prayer service, the squadron with fluttering national flags flew at the enemy” - that is how the battle of Sinop began, a detailed description of which is given in The exploits of Russian admirals Peter Mikhailov, Spiridov, Ushakov, Senyavin, citizen Heyden, Lazarev, Nakhimov, Kornilov and their associates book of the 1900-year’s edition.

Sea battle lasted about four hours and ended with the complete victory of the Russian squadron. Where is the electronic copy of the edition of The materials for the history of the Crimean War and the Defense of Sevastopol from 1871 with the correspondence of the Adjutant General of Prince Menshikov with Nicholas I, where the Black Sea Fleet commander reports: “The first Turkish squadron, which decided to go into the battle, was wiped out on the 18th of November by Vice Admiral Nakhimov. Its commander Turkish Admiral Osman Pasha, was captured wounded and brought to the Sevastopol. The enemy was on the Sinop raid, where, supported by shore batteries, took the battle. At this he lost 7 frigates, one sloop, 2 corvettes, 1 steamboat and several transports. 1 more ship escaped, owing to its superior speed. <…> Our loss is: one 1st class subaltern officer, 33 killed lower ranks and 20 wounded.”

In response, the Emperor wrote: “The victory of Sinop presents again, that the Black Sea fleet honorably fulfills its purpose.” Nicholas I sent the Imperial Letter to Nakhimov, “By the extermination of the Turkish squadron at Sinop you graced the annals of the Russian fleet with a new victory that will forever remain a memorial to naval history. Statute of the Military Order of the Saint Martyr and the generous conqueror St. George points a reward for your heroism.”

The Presidential Library stock has collected a lot of materials that reflect the history of the Russian Navy and the significance of its victories. In particular, there are important for the development of the fleet editions of The Marine Charter Book (1778), The project of the Marine Charter with references and explanations (1853). A special place belongs to work of the best historiography experts, blameless former naval officers: A history of Russian fleet; the Azov period by the Captain I rank, the head of the Office of the Sea Scientific Committee S. I. Yelagin, A Brief History of Russian Navy by the Navy General F. F. Veselago, A history of the Russian Navy by the Navy General, professor of history of Russian fleet of the Nicholas’ Russian Navy Naval Academy Y. I. Ahren and many others.