November 30, 1853 · Black Sea Theater
November 30, 1853
A Russian squadron under Admiral Nakhimov annihilated an Ottoman fleet anchored at the port of Sinop on the Turkish Black Sea coast. Nakhimov's warships used explosive shells — a relatively new technology — to devastating effect, destroying seven frigates, two corvettes, and a steamer in less than three hours and killing approximately 3,000 Ottoman sailors. The harbor and town were left in flames.
Commanders