Year 1770: The Battle of Chesme. Cause of war

Do you know when the Chesme naval battle took place? 1770 and today are honored in Russia. The Chesme battle took place in Chesma Bay in 1770, July 24-26 (July 5-7), between the island of Chios and the western extremity of Anatolia. It is known that in this area there have been numerous naval battles between the Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire, between the Turkish and Russian fleets. Batalya was part of the Second Peloponnesian Uprising of 1769 and the forerunner of the Greek War of Success for Sovereignty (1821-1829).

Today, the Day of Russia 's military glory is celebrated on July 7 - this is the day of the victory of the Russian flotilla over the Turkish fleet in the Battle of Chesma.

Prehistory

Many people know the figure of 1770. The battle of Chesme took place just this year. After the Russian war with the Turks began in 1768, Russia sent a couple of squadrons to the Mediterranean from the Baltic. She wanted to divert the attention of the Ottomans from the First Archipelago Expedition (the Black Sea Fleet), which then consisted of only six battleships.

Two Russian squadrons were commanded by Admiral Gregory Spiridov and the English adviser, Rear Admiral Elphinston John, and they were led by Count Alexei Orlov. As a result, experienced sailors managed to find a flotilla of Ottomans in the raid in Chesma Bay (the western Riviera of Turkey).

Under the pressure of France and the influence of the Polish problem in 1768, the Ottoman Empire of Russia declared war. By this time, on the southern strategic line, the same situation was preserved, which was in the XVII century. The Russian Empire did not have its own fleet on the Black and Azov Seas, where Porta's naval powers reigned. In fact, the Black Sea was a "Turkish Lake". The Azov Sea, the Northern Black Sea Coast and the Crimea were controlled by the Ottoman Empire - these lands were a springboard for militarism against Russia.

Invasion

The year 1770 ... The Battle of Chesma ... Why did it happen? In 1768, in the autumn, the Crimean cavalry invaded the territory of Russia, having started the war. The enemy was defeated and retreated, but the threat remained. The northern Black Sea coast has turned into a base theater of military operations, where the Russian army fought for more than five years with the armed forces of the Ottoman Port and the Crimean Khanate.

Tasks

Remember the number 1770. Chesme battle it means. On the Black Sea, the absence of the fleet had to be compensated. That is why in St. Petersburg decided to send a squadron from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean and from there to threaten Turkey. The main objective of the expedition was to support a possible uprising of the Christian inhabitants of the Balkan Peninsula (primarily the islands of the Aegean Sea and the Greek Peloponnese) and the threat to the Turks from the rear.

What tasks did the Russian squadron have to accomplish? It was necessary to destroy the naval communications of the enemy in the Mediterranean Sea, to remove some of its forces (primarily the fleet) from the Black Sea battlefield. With success, the squadron was to capture the most important seaside points in Turkey and block the Dardanelles. The main place of action was located in the Aegean Sea or, as then stated, in the "Archipelago of Greece". Hence the name "Greek Expedition".

Idea

For a long time the year passed 1770. People still remember the battle of Chesma. Who came up with the idea of sending Russian ships to the coast of the Aegean Sea, to awaken and support the uprising of the Christian population therein against the Ottomans? This idea was first put forward by the then favorite of Empress Catherine II Orlov Grigory. Probably, this idea was first reported by the future head of the expedition, Count Alexei Orlov, brother of Gregory, who only approved it and informed Catherine.

It is known that Orlov Alexei wrote to his brother about the problems of such a campaign and the war as a whole: "We must go to Constantinople and release all pious and Orthodox from the grave yoke. And I will say the same way, as Tsar Peter I in the letter said: "And they, the Mohammedans of the infidels, are driven to the sandy steppes to their former dwellings." And here again there will be piety, and glorify our Almighty God. " At the time of the draft of the campaign to the Council under Empress Orlov, Grigory formulated his proposal thus: "Send a couple of ships as a cruise to the Mediterranean and from there make a diversion to the enemy."

Some experts argue that the Battle of Chesma in 1770 was due to Russia's desire to have an independent outlet from the Black Sea to the vast oceans. And the reason then was not required.

Flotillas

And now a little more detailed look at the year 1770, the Battle of Chesma (Russian-Turkish battle). The Russian fleet consisted of nine battleships, three frigates (one 36-gun and a pair of 32-guns), 17-19 auxiliary ships and the bombardier ship "Thunder" (10-gun).

Noticing the June 23 enemy fleet that was behind the island of Chios at anchor, our armada at dawn on June 24 (July 5), 1770, entered the Chios Canal, which separates the named island from the Riviera of Anatolia, from the north with a passing quiet wind. Along this coast, from the Chesme Bay to the north, there was a two-line anchored Ottoman armada.

It contained 16 ships (six of them were 90 or 80 cannons, and the others, like Russian ones, were equipped with 66 guns), 60 small ships and 6 frigates. He commanded the Turkish fleet Hassan-ed-Din-captain-pasha. He was at that moment in a camp on the beach, and he was replaced by Hassan Bay (the brave Algerian), who reasoned that with the enemy ships it was necessary to mate and fly up with them into the air. Nevertheless, his corvettes could not follow this rule, because they were anchored. As a result, the Russians with the raised sails took the initiative in the battle for themselves.

Orlova tactics

In the year 1770 the Chesma battle (Russian-Turkish battle) strongly influenced the course of the subsequent history. It is known that the impressive forces of the enemy first struck Count Orlov. But, firmly hoping for the courage of his soldiers and God, he consulted with the captains and flagships, decided the Turkish fleet to attack. Orlov ordered the creation of springs (cables connected by anchors, which keep the ship in the right position) in case you have to anchor against the enemy. The Count built a line of battle and marched on the Turks in this order:

• Rear: ships "Svyatoslav" (Admiral Elfinston, Skipper Roxburgh), "Do not Touch Me" (skipper Beshentsov), "Saratov" (Captain Polivanov).
• Avant-guard: "Eustace" (Admiral Spiridov, Captain Cruz), "Europe" (Captain Klokachev), "Three Saints" (Skipper Khmetevsky).
• Kordebatalia: "Three Hierarchs" (Count Orlov Alexey, Brigadier Greig), "Yannarius" (Skipper Borisov), "Rostislav" (Captain Lupandin).

Fight in the Chios Strait

The battle of Chesme (1770, July 7) turned the story back. To begin with, consider the battle in the Chios Strait, which occurred on June 24 (July 5). The Russian fleet agreed on a plan of action and approached the southern border of the Turkish line. After that, he turned around and began to deploy against enemy ships. The Turkish fleet began to fire from a distance of 3 cable (560 m) in 11: 30-11: 45. Russian ships did not fire back until they approached the enemy at a range of 80 battles (170 m) for close combat at 12:00.

At three Russian ships the maneuver did not turn out: "St. The "Januarius" was forced to turn around before it became a ruler, "Europe" missed its place, got damaged, due to which it turned and left the formation, being behind Rostislav, and "Three Saints" from the rear area rounded the second ship of the enemy before he could To stand in line, as a result of which he erroneously attacked the corvette "Three Hierarchs".

The damage to "Europe" led to the fact that "St. Eustace "became the main ship of the Russian armada. This vessel was sent to the fire of three liner Turkish ships (including the flagship of the Ottoman flotilla "Burj-u-Zafer", which was commanded by Hassan Pasha). "St. Eustache "began boarding the flagship of the Ottoman armada, before he saw a fire on it. After the flaming mast of the Burj-u-Zafer fell on the deck of the corvette "St. Eustathius, "he exploded. After 10-15 minutes, the Burj-y-Zafer took off. Elfinston assured that the Russians were virtually inconclusive, and Spiridov and Count Orlov Fyodor (the brother of the leader) left "St. Evstafiy "before the beginning of close combat. In the same way, the skipper "St. Eustache »Cruise. Spiridov resumed the leadership of the battle from the corvette "Three Prelates".

The Turks at 14:00 cut the ropes of anchors and retreated under cover of coastal batteries to Chesma Harbor.

Battle in the Bay

Many soldiers died in 1770. The battle of Chesma was one of the most violent. June 25-26 (July 6-7) there was a battle in the Chesme Bay. It was in him that the Turkish branders created two rows of 7- and 8-linear corvettes, and the remaining ships were placed between these rows and the coast.

The whole day June 25 (July 6) Russian ships fired on the Turkish flotilla and coastal positions. Of the four subsidiary ships, firemen were made. At 17:00 the bombardier ship "Thunder" anchored in front of the entrance to the Chesme Bay and began to shell the Turkish fleet. At 00:30 he was joined by a linear ship "Europe", and by 01:00 - Rostislav, in the wake of which came the fire-fighters.

"Rostislav", "Europe" and "I did not touch me" formed a line from north to south, starting a fight with the Turkish armada. At this time, "Saratov" stood on the reserve, and the frigate "Africa" and "Thunder" attacked batteries on the west coast of the bay.

At 01:30 or a little earlier (according to Elphinstone, at midnight), due to the "Do not Touch Me" and "Thunder" firing, one of the Turkish battleships exploded: the fire spread to the hull with burning sails. The flames quickly moved to other ships in the harbor.

So, we continue the story of the event that took place on July 7, 1770. Everyone must learn the battle of Chesme. After the second Turkish ship exploded at 02:00, Russian ships stopped firing, and the fire-ships entered the bay. Two of them, who were under the command of the captains of Dagdal and Gagarin, were shot by the Turks. By the way, Elphinston claims that only Captain Dugdale's fireman died, and Gagarin's vessel refused to go into battle. Then one ship, commanded by Mackenzie, grappled with the already burning ship, and one (under the command of Lieutenant D. Ilyin) - was attached to the 84-gun linear corvette.

It is known that Ilyin set fire to the fire-ship, and left it on the boat with the crew. The ship exploded and set fire to most other Ottoman corvettes. By 02:30 three more battleships exploded.

At about 04:00 Russian ships sent boats, wanting to save the two large ships that were not yet burning. Nevertheless, they were able to take out only one of them - Rhodes 60-gun. From 04:00 to 05:30 six more warships took off, and in the 7th hour - synchronously four. By 08:00 the battle in the Chesme Bay was over.

Consequences of the battle

What is good for the history of Russia in 1770? Chesma battle what benefit did Russia bring? After this battle, the Russian fleet could thoroughly disrupt the ties of the Turks in the Aegean Sea and isolate the Dardanelles. All these nuances played an important role in the signing of the peaceful Kyuchuk-Kainarji agreement.

At the direction of Catherine II, to commemorate the victory in the Great Peterhof Palace, a memorable Chesme Hall (1774-1777) was built, two monuments were erected for this event: the Chesme pilaster in Tsarskoe Selo (1778) and the Chesme monument in Gatchina (1775) , And also erected the Chesme Palace (1774-1777) and the Chesme Church of St. John the Baptist (1777-1780) in St. Petersburg.

The battle of Chesma in 1770 was immortalized in cast gold and silver medals, which were made at the behest of Empress Catherine Alekseevna. Count Orlov Alexis was allowed to attach to the name of the name, as they said, "Chesmensky."

Names

It is known that the name "Chesma" was worn by an armadillo of an armada of the Russian military flotilla. By order of Nicholas II Chesma, a settlement was named, which today is the village of the Chelyabinsk region.

And in the Anadyr Bay there is Chesma's cape - it was named so by the expedition on the clipper "Horseman" in 1876.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in 2012, in July, signed his amendment to the law "On the memorable dates of Russia and the days of military glory." As a result, the Day of the victory of the Russian flotilla over the Turkish in the battle of Chesma, which is celebrated on July 7, appeared.

Reports

Historians are still studying the year 1770: The Battle of Chesma, whose cause is already known, glorified Russia throughout the world. It is known that Spiridov reported to the president of the Admiralty Board in St. Petersburg, Count Chernyshov: "Thanks be to God and the honor of the All-Russian Flotilla! From the 25th to the 26th the enemy fleet was attacked, broken down, defeated, burnt, sunk, thrown into the sky and turned into ashes, and left a terrible dishonor in that place, and themselves began to dominate the entire Archipelago of our All-Merciful Queen. "

A. G. Orlov brilliantly expressed feelings inspired by the victory of Chesma, in a letter to his brother: "Hello, sir, brother! I will tell you a little about our journey: lighting fire everywhere, forced to leave the sea. They went after the enemy with the fleet, they approached, fought, seized, defeated, defeated, disorganized, sent to the bottom and incinerated. "