Siege of Sevastopol
Sevastopol, Crimea
What happened
After landing in Crimea and winning at the Alma, the allies dug siege lines around Sevastopol, home of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. The Russians sank some of their own ships to block the harbour and used the ships' guns and sailors to defend the city. After almost a year, French troops captured the Malakoff fort on 8 September 1855, and the Russians left the southern side of the city.
Why it matters
The fall of Sevastopol led to Russia's defeat in the Crimean War. It ended the threat that Russia's Black Sea Fleet posed to the Mediterranean.
What came next
The siege was the last major episode of the war, which ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1856. Cannons captured at Sevastopol were sent to towns across Britain and its empire.
Did you know?
Leo Tolstoy served as a soldier in the siege and wrote Sebastopol Sketches about it.
Timeline
- 20 Sep 1854The allies win the Battle of the Alma.
- 17 Oct 1854The first bombardment of Sevastopol.
- 16 Aug 1855Battle of the Chernaya.
- 8 Sep 1855French troops take the Malakoff.
- 30 Mar 1856The Treaty of Paris ends the war.