The principal theater of the Crimean War of 1853–1856 was the Black Sea. The Russian Black Sea Fleet was responsible for military transportation and cruising along the coast of the Bosporus Strait. On October 23, 1853, a squad of four steam frigates “Vladimir”, “Gromonosets”, “Odessa”, and “Khersones” commanded by Vice Admiral Vladimir Kornilov was asked to examine the western part of the Black Sea, discover the Turkish squadron, and immediately report about it to Sevastopol. Five Turkish frigates and accompanying troop ships were spotted at the entrance to the Bosporus Strait. Evading a battle, they hurried into the strait. The “Vladimir” steam frigate led by lieutenant commander Grigory Ivanovich Butakov was left to monitor the entrance to the Bosporus Strait.
On the morning of November 5, 1853, the 10-gun Turko-Egyptian armed steamer “Pervaz-i Bahri” was spotted to the north of the town of Ereğli. Kornilov ordered the commander of “Vladimir” to approach the enemy steamer and attack it. Butakov directed his steamship in such a way that the enemy could not escape and gave an order to prepare for battle. In its initial stage, the ships exchanged broadside fire on parallel courses. Approximately one hour after the start, the advantage of Russian artillerists started to show: they hit the enemy ship several times forcing the commander of “Pervaz-i Bahri” to try escaping. Turning right, the enemy’s steam frigate sped up and headed toward the coast. On noticing that the Turkish steamship had no stern artillery, Kornilov suggested that Butakov should attack while pursuing the enemy ship. Quickly taking a new position and following behind the enemy stern, “Vladimir” once again opened fire, enfilading the “Pervaz-i Bahri” ship. Three hours after the beginning of the battle, “Pervaz-i Bahri” struck her colors. For this victory, Butakov was assigned the title of captain, 2nd rank, and the captured Turkish ship was commissioned by the Black Sea Fleet under the name “Kornilov”. It was the first naval battle between two steamships. During the battle, the ships steamed into the wind, demonstrating their advantage compared to sailing vessels.
On the morning of November 5, 1853, the 10-gun Turko-Egyptian armed steamer “Pervaz-i Bahri” was spotted to the north of the town of Ereğli. Kornilov ordered the commander of “Vladimir” to approach the enemy steamer and attack it. Butakov directed his steamship in such a way that the enemy could not escape and gave an order to prepare for battle. In its initial stage, the ships exchanged broadside fire on parallel courses. Approximately one hour after the start, the advantage of Russian artillerists started to show: they hit the enemy ship several times forcing the commander of “Pervaz-i Bahri” to try escaping. Turning right, the enemy’s steam frigate sped up and headed toward the coast. On noticing that the Turkish steamship had no stern artillery, Kornilov suggested that Butakov should attack while pursuing the enemy ship. Quickly taking a new position and following behind the enemy stern, “Vladimir” once again opened fire, enfilading the “Pervaz-i Bahri” ship. Three hours after the beginning of the battle, “Pervaz-i Bahri” struck her colors. For this victory, Butakov was assigned the title of captain, 2nd rank, and the captured Turkish ship was commissioned by the Black Sea Fleet under the name “Kornilov”. It was the first naval battle between two steamships. During the battle, the ships steamed into the wind, demonstrating their advantage compared to sailing vessels.
