Fought during the Russo-Turkish War, 1768-1774, this indecisive battle took place on 27 and 28 May 1770 at the entrance to the

Argolic Gulf The Argolic Gulf (), also known as the Gulf of Argolis, is a gulf of the Aegean Sea off the east coast of the Peloponnese, Greece. It is about 50 km long and 30 km wide. Its main port is Nafplio, at its northwestern end. At the entrance to ...

, Greece, when a Russian fleet under

John Elphinstone John Elphinstone, also known as John Elphinston (1722 – 28 February 1785), was a senior British naval officer who worked closely with the Russian Navy after 1770, with approval from the Admiralty, during the period of naval reform under Russi ...

engaged a larger Ottoman fleet. No ships were lost on either side, and casualties were small.

History

Elphinston had arrived at

Cape Matapan Cape Matapan ( el, Κάβο Ματαπάς, Maniot dialect: Ματαπά), also named as Cape Tainaron or Taenarum ( el, Ακρωτήριον Ταίναρον), or Cape Tenaro, is situated at the end of the Mani Peninsula, Greece. Cape Matap ...

, southern Greece, on 20 May 1770 from Portsmouth and landed his troops on 22 May at Rupino. Hearing that the Ottoman fleet was divided in two, he decided to attack. After battling bad weather, he sighted the Ottoman ships on 27 May at the entrance to the gulf and despite the superior numbers of the Ottomans (about 10 battleships and some smaller vessels vs 3 battleships, 2 frigates and 4 armed merchantmen) he sailed up before a light SSE breeze to attack. Soon after 5pm ''Ne tron menya'' attacked the Ottoman flagship, and then ''Saratov'' attacked the Ottoman Vice- and Rear Admiral's ships. ''Nadezhda'' was also in action. Elphinston, in ''Svyatoslav'', had to chase and fire on the armed merchantmen to get them to fight, but when he did attack the Ottoman fleet retreated, using their

galley A galley is a type of ship that is propelled mainly by oars. The galley is characterized by its long, slender hull, shallow draft, and low freeboard (clearance between sea and gunwale). Virtually all types of galleys had sails that could be used ...

s to tow their battleships north. The Russians used their boats to do the same. On 28 May, soon after 12pm the Ottoman fleet anchored in line under the guns of the

Nauplia Nafplio ( ell, Ναύπλιο) is a coastal city located in the Peloponnese in Greece and it is the capital of the regional unit of Argolis and an important touristic destination. Founded in antiquity, the city became an important seaport in the ...

batteries. At about 3pm Elphinston attacked, standing up and down the Ottoman line, but with little effect. Russian casualties were low. On 30 May, the Ottomans began to move, and some Russian captains insisted that they were not bound to attack such a superior fleet. Elphinston had to give in, and during the evening of 31 May as the Ottomans steadily approached, being towed again by their galleys, the wind rose and the Russians got away.

Ships involved

Russia (Elphinston)

''Svyatoslav'' 80 (flag)
''Ne tron menya'' 66
''Saratov'' 66
''Afrika'' 32
''Nadezhda'' 32
''Graf Tchernyshev'' 22 (hired British merchantman)
''Graf Panin'' 18 (hired British merchantman)
''Graf Orlov'' 18 (hired British merchantman)
''Sv. Pavel'' 8

Ottoman Empire

(details uncertain)
''?'' 84 (flag)
4 other 84-gun battleships
2 64-gun battleships
4 54-gun battleships
2 50-gun battleships
a few smaller ships, including galleys

References

* {{coord missing, Greece Nauplia 1770

1770 in the Ottoman Empire History of Argolis History of the Aegean Sea