Battle of Navarino

The naval Battle of Navarino was fought on 20 October 1827, during the Greek War of Independence (1821-29). It is notable for being the final large-scale fleet action in history between sailing ships.

Related Topics:
20 October - 1827 - Greek War of Independence

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A combined Turkish and Egyptian armada was destroyed by an allied British, French, and Russian naval force at the port of Navarino (now Pylos), in southern Greece. The Allied ships were better armed than their Egyptian and Turkish enemies, and their crews better trained, resulting in a rather quick victory. Some say that, due to the larger number of Turkish ships present and the fact that they were all positioned so that their guns could fire into the center of the semi-circle, if the Allies had not been properly in position, the battle could have gone the other way.

Related Topics:
Turkish - Egypt - British - French - Russia - Naval - Pylos - Greece

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The various Greek forces had achieved significant results against the Turkish fleet in 1821-24, but despite this a Turkish and Egyptian army had reconquered Crete and part of the Morea by mid-1825. The Turkish fleet was then able to return and base itself at places like Navarin and Missolonghi to help its land army. After several more skirmishes between Greece and Turkey, other countries decided to step in to help the Greeks and to protect their shipping, which was being raided by Greek pirates. The Treaty of London (6 July 1827) stipulated that if the treaty were rejected, the allied forces would sail against the Turkish forces. The Turkish/Egyptian fleet, which had been warned by the British and French to stay away, left Alexandria on 5 August 1827 and arrived at Navarino on 8 September. Codrington arrived on 12 September and instituted a blockade. The Turks made several attempts to leave the bay and sail north, but they were repelled each time by Codrington's presence and by adverse weather, and by the arrival of a French squadron under de Rigny on 13 October which caused the Turks to return to port. A Russian squadron under Geiden arrived on the 13th also. More Allied ships were already at Navarino, and others arrived over the following week.

Related Topics:
6 July - 1827 - 5 August - 8 September - 12 September - 13 October

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