Battles & Campaigns · 1807
Battle of the Dardanelles (1807)
Mouth of the Dardanelles, near Tenedos, Turkey
What happened
A Russian fleet under Dmitry Senyavin fought an Ottoman fleet under Kapudan Pasha Seyid Ali. The Ottoman fleet sailed out of the Dardanelles to attack the Russian base on the island of Tenedos, but the garrison held. Senyavin chased the Ottoman squadron, and fighting went on near the mouth of the strait until three Ottoman battleships were driven aground.
Why it matters
The Ottomans failed to break the Russian blockade of the Dardanelles. Constantinople depended on supplies by sea, so the blockade caused hardship there.
What came next
The Russians kept up the blockade for another month, until they fought the Ottoman fleet again at Athos.
Did you know?
The Russian garrison on Tenedos beat off an attack by gunboats and soldiers.
Timeline
- 19 May 1807Ottoman fleet leaves the Dardanelles.
- 22 May 1807Battle of the Dardanelles.
- 1–2 Jul 1807Battle of Athos.