Battle of Cape Kaliakra
Black Sea off Cape Kaliakra, Bulgaria
What happened
A Russian fleet under Admiral Fyodor Ushakov fought an Ottoman and Algerian fleet under Hussein Pasha and Said Ali. The Russian fleet sailed from Sevastopol and found the Ottoman ships at anchor near the cape. Ushakov boldly sailed between the enemy and the shore, then attacked the leading Ottoman ships as the rest of his fleet closed in. At dark the Ottoman fleet retreated toward Istanbul.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the last sea battle of the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792. Peace was signed soon after at Jassy.
What came next
Ushakov went on to take the Ionian Islands from France in 1798. In 2001 the Russian Orthodox Church declared him a saint and patron of the Russian Navy.
Did you know?
Ushakov is said to have won every battle he fought as an admiral, without losing a single ship.
Timeline
- 8 August 1791The Russian fleet leaves Sevastopol.
- 11 August 1791Battle of Cape Kaliakra.
- 10 August 2006A statue of Ushakov is unveiled at the cape.