"Hooray! To the Russian fleet... Now I say to myself: why wasn’t I at least a midshipman at Corfu.”
A. V. Suvorov
220 years ago, in March 1799, Russian sailors under the command of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov captured the French strategic fortress of Corfu in the Mediterranean Sea. The victory was won during the Mediterranean campaign of the Black Sea squadron of 1798 - 1799.
Background
At the end of the 18th century, the political life of Europe was full of important events. The French bourgeois revolution became one of them and caused a whole chain of new major events. At first, the monarchies surrounding France tried to stifle the revolution and restore royal power. Then France began the “export of revolution,” which soon transformed into ordinary imperial, predatory expansion. France, having achieved serious success in transforming society and the army, was creating its own continental empire.
France made its first aggressive campaigns in the Mediterranean region. In 1796 – 1797 French troops under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte defeated the Austrians and their Italian allies and conquered Northern Italy. In May 1797, the French captured the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Zante, Kefalonia, St. Maures, Tserigo and others) belonging to Venice, located off the western coast of Greece. The Ionian islands were of strategic importance, as they allowed them to control the Adriatic Sea and influence the western part of the Balkans and the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. In 1798, the French took control of the Papal States in Central Italy and proclaimed the Roman Republic. In northern Europe, the French took control of Holland - under the name of the Batavian Republic.
In May 1798, Napoleon began a new campaign of conquest - the Egyptian one. Napoleon planned to capture Egypt, build the Suez Canal and go further to India. In June 1798, the French captured Malta and landed in Egypt in early July. The British fleet made a number of mistakes and failed to intercept the French army at sea. In August, British ships under the command of Admiral Nelson destroyed the French fleet at the Battle of Aboukir. This significantly worsened the supply and position of the French in Egypt. However, the French still held strategic positions in the Mediterranean Sea - Malta and the Ionian Islands.
Paul the First stopped Russia's participation in the war with France (First Anti-French Coalition). He wanted to completely reconsider the policies of his mother Catherine II. However, the capture of Malta by the French was perceived in the Russian capital as an open challenge. The Russian Emperor Pavel Petrovich was the Grand Master of the Order of Malta. Malta was formally a Russian protectorate. In addition, soon after the invasion of Egypt by the French army and Napoleon's attempt to occupy Palestine and Syria, there followed a request from the Porte for help in the fight against Bonaparte. Constantinople was afraid that Napoleon's invasion could cause the collapse of the empire.
In December 1798, Russia entered into a preliminary agreement with England on the restoration of the anti-French alliance. On December 23, 1798 (January 3, 1799), Russia and Turkey signed an agreement under which the ports and Turkish straits were open to the Russian fleet. Traditional enemies, the Russians and the Ottomans, became allies against the French. Even before the conclusion of the official alliance, it was decided that Russia would send the Black Sea Fleet to the Mediterranean Sea.
Mediterranean trek
In St. Petersburg they decided to send a squadron of the Black Sea Fleet to the Mediterranean Sea. When this plan arose in the capital, the Black Sea squadron under the command of Vice Admiral F.F. Ushakov was on a campaign. For about four months, the ships plied the waters of the Black Sea, only occasionally visiting Sevastopol. At the beginning of August 1798, Ushakov’s squadron made another stop at the main base of the fleet. Immediately, Ushakov was given the emperor’s order: to go on a cruise to the Dardanelles region and, at the request of the Porte, to fight against the French together with the Turkish fleet. They were given only a few days to prepare for the campaign. That is, the high command approached the campaign irresponsibly; it was poorly prepared. The ships and crews were not prepared for a long voyage; they were almost immediately thrown from one voyage into a new one. Hope was for the high fighting qualities of Ushakov, his officers and sailors.
At dawn on August 12, 1798, the Black Sea squadron consisting of 6 battleships, 7 frigates and 3 messenger ships set out to sea. There was a landing force on the ships - 1,700 grenadiers of the Black Sea naval battalions. The sea was very rough, the ships began to leak, so two battleships had to be returned to Sevastopol for repairs.
In Constantinople, Ushakov held negotiations with representatives of the Porte. The British ambassador also took part in the negotiations to coordinate the actions of the allied squadrons in the Mediterranean. As a result, it was decided that the Russian squadron would go to the western coast of the Balkan Peninsula, where its main task would be the liberation of the Ionian Islands from the French. For joint actions with the Russians, a squadron was allocated from the Turkish fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Kadir Bey (consisting of 4 battleships, 6 frigates, 4 corvettes and 14 gunboats), who was subordinate to Ushakov. “Ushak Pasha,” as the Turkish sailors called the Russian admiral Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov, was feared and respected in Turkey. He repeatedly beat the Turkish fleet at sea, despite its numerical superiority. Kadyr Bey, on behalf of the Sultan, was instructed to “honor our admiral as a teacher.” Constantinople took upon itself the obligation to supply the Russian squadron with everything necessary. Local Turkish authorities were ordered to comply with the demands of the Russian admiral.
At the Dardanelles, the Black Sea squadron linked up with the Turkish fleet. From the combined fleet, Ushakov allocated 4 frigates and 10 gunboats under the general command of Captain 1st Rank A. A. Sorokin, this detachment was sent to Alexandria to blockade the French troops. Thus, assistance was provided to the allied British fleet under the command of Nelson.
On September 20, 1798, Ushakov’s ships headed from the Dardanelles to the Ionian Islands. The liberation of the Ionian Islands began with the island of Tserigo. The French garrison took refuge in the Kapsali fortress. On September 30, Ushakov invited the French to surrender the fortress. The French refused to capitulate. On October 1, artillery shelling of the fortress began. After some time, the French garrison folded. It is worth noting that the arrival of the Russian squadron and the beginning of the liberation of the Ionian Islands from the French occupiers caused great enthusiasm among the local population. The French were hated for their robberies and violence. Therefore, the Greeks began to help the Russian sailors with all their might. The Russians were seen as protectors from the French and Turks.
Two weeks after the liberation of the island of Tserigo, the Russian squadron approached the island of Zante. The French commandant, Colonel Lucas, took measures to defend the island. He built batteries on the shore to prevent the landing. Local residents warned the Russians about this. Two frigates under the command of I. Shostok approached the shore to suppress enemy guns. The Russian ships came within range of a grape shot and silenced the enemy batteries. A landing force was landed on the shore. He, together with local militias, blocked the fortress. Colonel Lucas capitulated. At the same time, the Russians had to protect the prisoners from the revenge of local residents who hated the invaders.
Near the island of Zante, Admiral Ushakov divided his forces into three detachments: 1) four ships under the flag of captain 2nd rank D.N. Sinyavin went to the island of St. Moors; 2) six ships under the command of captain 1st rank I. A. Selivachev headed to Corfu; 3) five ships under the command of captain 1st rank I. S. Poskochin - to Kefalonia. The liberation of the island of Kefalonia took place without a fight. The French garrison fled to the mountains, where they were captured by local residents. Russian trophies included 50 guns, 65 kegs of gunpowder, and over 2,500 cannonballs and bombs.
On the island of St. The Moors, French Colonel Miolet, refused to capitulate. From Senyavin's ships, a landing party with artillery landed on the shore. The shelling of the fortress began, which lasted 10 days. However, things did not come to an assault; the French, after the bombing and the arrival of Ushakov’s ships, went to negotiations. On November 5, the French laid down their arms. Russian trophies included 80 guns, over 800 guns, 10 thousand cannonballs and bombs, 160 pounds of gunpowder, etc. After capturing the island of St. Moors Ushakov went to Corfu to attack the strongest French fortress in the Ionian Islands.
Admiral Ushakov's squadron in the Bosphorus. Artist M. Ivanov
French forces
Selivachev's detachment was the first to arrive to Corfu. On October 24 (November 4), 1798, Russian ships reached Corfu. This fortress was considered one of the most powerful in Europe. Located on the eastern coast of the island, the fortress consisted of a whole complex of strong fortifications. In its eastern part there was a citadel (old fortress). The citadel was separated from the city by a moat. From the sea side, the citadel was protected by a high bank; in addition, the stronghold was surrounded on all sides by a double high rampart, and along the entire length of the rampart there were stone bastions. This fortress began to be built by the Byzantines, then completed by the Venetians. The city was protected by the New Fortress. It was started by the Venetians and brought to perfection by French engineers. The fortress consisted of casemates carved into the rocks, which were connected by underground galleries. Two rows of walls that were connected to each other by a complex system of passages and corridors.
On the western side, the city was defended by three forts: Fort Abraham, Fort San Roque and Fort Salvador. They defended the city from the land side. More than 600 guns were in service with the fortifications of Corfu. From the sea, the city was protected by the fortifications of the island of Vido, located within an artillery shot from the Island of Corfu. Vido was the forward outpost of the main fortress and was also well fortified. There were five artillery batteries on the island. In addition, the French had ships. The water area between Corfu and Vido was a harbor for French ships. There were two battleships here - the 74-gun Generos and the 54-gun Leander, the 32-gun corvette Labrune, the bombardment ship Frimar, and the brig Expedition. There were 9 pennants in total, which had more than 200 guns.
The French garrison, led by General Chabot and Commissar General Dubois, numbered more than 3 thousand soldiers; it could be supported by 1 thousand sailors from ships. On the island of Vido, under the command of General Pivron, there were 500 people.
Old fortress
New fortress
Siege of the fortress
Arriving at Corfu, Selivachev’s detachment (3 battleships, 3 frigates and several small ships) began blockading the enemy fortress. Three ships took up a position near the Northern Strait, the rest - near the Southern Strait. Lieutenant Commander Shostak was sent to the French command as a parliamentarian, who suggested that the enemy surrender the sea fortress without a fight. The French War Council rejected this proposal.
The French made an attempt to conduct reconnaissance in force and test the strength and stamina of the Russian detachment. The ship "Generos" left the harbor on October 27 and began to approach the Russian ship "Zachary and Elizabeth". Approaching artillery range, the French opened fire. The Russian ship responded immediately. The French did not accept the proposed battle and immediately retreated. During the same period, attempts by several French ships to break into the fortress failed: an 18-gun brig and 3 transports were captured by Russian ships.
On October 31, 1798, Selivachev’s detachment was reinforced with one Russian battleship (“St. Trinity”), 2 Turkish frigates and a corvette. On November 9, Ushakov’s main forces reached Corfu, and a few days later Senyavin’s detachment arrived (3 battleships and 3 frigates). Having distributed the forces to carry out the naval blockade, Ushakov conducted reconnaissance of the island. Intelligence and information from local Greeks showed that the French only occupied fortifications; there was no enemy in the local villages. The Russian admiral decided to immediately land landing forces.
Russian ships approached the port of Gouvi, which was located a few kilometers from Corfu. There was a village with an old shipyard here, but the French destroyed it along with all the timber reserves. Nevertheless, here Russian sailors began to equip a base where ships could be repaired.
In order to prevent the French from replenishing food supplies by plundering the surrounding villages, the Russians, with the help of local residents, began to build artillery batteries and earthen fortifications near the fortress. On the northern shore, the battery was placed on the hill of Mont Oliveto. It was convenient to fire at the enemy's advanced forts from the Northern Battery. To build the battery, troops were landed under the command of Captain Kikin. In three days the work was completed and on November 15 the battery opened fire on the French fortress.
The siege of Corfu by land and sea lasted over three months. The French, counting on the impregnable bastions of the fortress and large reserves, hoped that the Russians would not withstand a long siege and would leave Corfu. The French troops tried to wear down the enemy and keep them in constant tension, so they constantly carried out artillery attacks and sorties. This required Russian troops to be constantly ready to repel an attack. “The French garrison located in Corfu,” wrote Admiral Ushakov, “is active and vigilant.”
Russian sailors and soldiers bore the brunt of the siege of the enemy fortress. Help from the Turks was limited. The Turkish command did not want to risk their ships, so they tried to refrain from military clashes. Ushakov himself wrote about this: “I protect them like a red egg, and I don’t let them into danger... and they themselves are not keen on it.” At the same time, the Turks happily robbed the already defeated French and were ready to slaughter them, if not for the Russians.
On the night of January 26, 1799, the battleship "Generos" (painting its sails black) together with the brig, following Napoleon's instructions, broke the naval blockade and went to Ancona. A Russian patrol ship noticed the enemy and gave a signal about it. Two Russian frigates fired at the enemy, but in the darkness their shots did not reach their target. Ushakov gave the signal to Kadyr Bey to go in pursuit of the enemy, but the Turkish flagship remained in place. As a result, the French successfully left.
The siege of Corfu exhausted the forces of the French garrison. However, the Russians also had an extremely difficult time. There was nothing to storm the enemy with. Ushakov wrote that there are no examples when the fleet was at such a distance without any supplies and in such extremes. The Russian squadron near Corfu was far removed from its bases, and was deprived of literally everything that people and ships needed. The Turkish authorities were in no hurry to fulfill their obligations to supply Ushakov’s ships. The Turks did not allocate ground forces for the siege of the fortress. The same situation was with artillery and ammunition. There was no land siege artillery, cannons, howitzers, mortars, ammunition, there were not even bullets for rifles. The lack of ammunition led to the fact that Russian ships and batteries built on land remained silent. They shot only in the most extreme cases.
The real disaster was in the area of food supply for the expedition. For months, the sailors literally starved, since provisions did not arrive from either Russia or Turkey. Ushakov wrote to the Russian ambassador in Constantinople that they were eating the last crumbs. In December 1798, a transport with food arrived from Russia to Corfu, but the long-awaited corned beef turned out to be rotten.
There was no normal supply. The sailors did not receive wages, uniforms, or money for uniforms, and were practically naked, without shoes. When the squadron received the long-awaited money, it turned out to be useless, since it was sent in paper notes. Nobody accepted that kind of money, even at a greatly reduced price.
In St. Petersburg they had absolutely no idea of the gravity of the situation of the Russian squadron at Corfu. At the same time, they tried to “steer” Ushakov’s ships without understanding the real military-strategic situation in the region. Ships from the Russian squadron were constantly sent to various places - now to Ragusa, now to Brindisi, Otranto, Calabria, etc. This made it difficult to concentrate all the forces to take Corfu. At the same time, the successes of the Russians in the Ionian Islands greatly worried our British “partners”. They themselves wanted to establish themselves in this region. When the Russians began the siege of Corfu, the British began to demand that Ushakov allocate ships to Alexandria, Crete and Messina in order to weaken the Russian forces. The British tried to ensure that the Russians failed the siege of Corfu, and then they themselves could capture this strategic point.
Assault on the Corfu fortress. From a painting by artist A. Samsonov
To be continued…
The revolutionary wars of France at the end of the 18th century led to the fact that many key points in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Ionian Islands, control over which allowed them to extend their influence to the Balkans, were captured by the French. The Black Sea squadron of Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov, with the support of a small Turkish flotilla led by Kadyr Bey, was tasked with taking control of the Ionian Islands, which they managed to capture by the beginning of November 1798. All that remained was to take the well-fortified island. Corfu.
POSITION AND PLANS OF THE PARTIES
The French covered Fr. Corfu from Apparently, after protracted artillery duels, they hoped to force the Russian-Turkish fleet to leave for the open sea. Total on about. There were about 800 soldiers and 5 artillery batteries under the command of Brigadier General Pivron, on the island. Corfu in the Old and New Fortresses housed 3,000 soldiers with 650 guns under the command of General Jabot.
Ushakov planned to take Fr. Vido, and then, placing artillery batteries on it, begin shelling about. Corfu, concentrating grapeshot fire against the enemy’s artillery positions. In Ushakov's flotilla there were 12 battleships and 11 frigates, a team of sea grenadiers of 1,700 people, Turkish soldiers of 4,250 people, as well as 2,000 Greek patriots. Moreover, by January 26, 1799, Russian sailors managed to build on the island. Corfu has two batteries - opposite Fort San Salvador and the Old Fortress, and also restore the battery at St. Panteleimon." It is from these positions that the landing force will attack the island. Corfu.
PROGRESS OF THE STORM
On February 18 at 7 o'clock in the morning, Ushakov begins the assault on Corfu. The ships “Kazan Mother of God” and “Herim-Captain” began firing grapeshot at battery No. 1 on the island. Vido. A little later, all the ships blocking Vido joined in the shelling. After a 4-hour shelling, all batteries were suppressed, and a landing force of 2,160 people landed on the island. Two French frigates, Leander and La Brune, tried to come to the aid of the besieged, but they, however, received significant damage under the fire of the battleship Blessing of the Lord and were forced to retreat. After a 2-hour battle, 200 Vido defenders were killed, 420 French soldiers, and with them 20 officers and the commandant of the island, General. Pivron is captured. About 150 people managed to swim to Corfu. The Russians lost 31 people killed and 100 wounded, the losses of the Turks and Albanians amounted to 180 people killed and wounded.
Simultaneously with the assault and capture of Fr. Apparently, Russian ships fired at the fortifications of the Old and New fortresses on the island. Corfu. At about 14.00 the Albanians tried to capture the bastion “St. Rock", but were repulsed. The very next Russian-Turkish joint attack forced the French to retreat to the fortress. The assault on the Old and New Fortresses was scheduled for February 19, but in the evening the French surrendered on honorable terms.
RESULTS
2,931 people (including 4 generals) surrendered in Corfu. The military trophies of the winners were: 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5,500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. In the port of Corfu, the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombardment ship, 2 galleys were captured , 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians. The capture of Corfu put an end to France's claims to Mediterranean dominance, and the Republic of the Ionian Islands was formed on the Ionian Islands, which for some time was the base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
CORFU
The French Revolution exploded the fragile European peace. From 1792, the continent plunged into the abyss of wars that lasted more than two decades. During this time, the political map of Europe has undergone significant changes. This also affected the Mediterranean region, where at the very end of the 18th century a complex tangle of contradictions arose.
The successes of Napoleon's army in Italy and his capture of the Ionian Islands from powerless Venice in 1797 caused serious concern not only among European governments and Russia, but also in Constantinople, where they feared a French landing in Greece.
On the other hand, after the conclusion of the Treaty of Jassy, by the end of the 18th century, thanks to the art of diplomacy, the Russian-Ottoman Empire underwent serious improvements. It was this factor, as well as Napoleon’s attack on Egypt in early 1798, that forced the Turkish government to pursue further rapprochement with Russia - the only state with a powerful fleet ready to come to the aid of its southern neighbor. For the first time in the history of relations between these countries, a defensive alliance was concluded between them in 1799.
But even earlier, on August 23 (September 2), 1798, a squadron under the flag of Admiral F.F. Ushakova arrived on the Bosphorus. Sultan Selim III himself visited the flagship incognito, and the squadron received permission for free passage through the Dardanelles. A week later, the Ottoman Empire broke off diplomatic relations with France. Ushakov was placed at the head of the united Russian-Turkish squadron, and patron-bey (rear admiral) Abdul Kadir, an experienced and brave sailor, was given his assistance.
On September 29 (October 9) the squadron approached the island of Tserigo. The French garrison resisted bravely, but only for three days. Ushakov proved himself not only as a skilled naval commander, but also as a subtle diplomat: the prisoners were kept banners and weapons and were released “on their word of honor” - not to fight against Russia. The admiral announced to the residents of the island that he was introducing local self-government here.
On October 14 (25), the same fate befell the fortress on the island of Zante. Moreover, here the French prisoners had to be protected from embittered Greeks, outraged by the predatory morals of the invaders. Soon the islands of Kelafonia, Ithaca, and St. Maura were captured. In November 1798, Russian and Turkish flags flew over all the Ionian islands, except Corfu.
On November 20, the squadron of Ushakov and Kadyr Bey approached Corfu. Expelling the French from it was a matter of strategic importance, since the island was located directly next to the Ottoman possessions, and its possession would ensure the security of the western part of Rumelia. Ushakov, despite the opposition of the English Admiral Nelson, who sought to divert the Russian squadron from taking this French stronghold in the Mediterranean, managed to prepare and carry out one of the most brilliant operations in the history of the Russian fleet. On March 3, 1799, the four thousand strong French garrison of this first-class fortress capitulated.
To avoid heavy losses during the assault, Ushakov decided to first take the small mountainous island of Vido, whose heights dominated the surrounding area. Troops were landed and after a two-hour battle the island was taken. After the fall of Vido, the key to Corfu was in the hands of Ushakov. Russian batteries located on the captured island opened fire on the fortifications of the fortresses of Corfu.
By March 3, the commandant of the fortress, considering further resistance useless, laid down his arms. 2,931 people, including 4 generals, were captured, and on honorable terms of surrender (the French were allowed to leave the island with a promise not to participate in hostilities for 18 months). The military trophies of the winners were 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5,500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. In the port of Corfu, the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombardment ship, 2 galleys, 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians.
For this assault, Emperor Paul promoted Ushakov to admiral and awarded him the diamond insignia of the Order of the Saint, the Neapolitan king - the Order of Saint Januarius, 1st degree, and the Ottoman Sultan - the Chelenk, the highest award of Turkey.
During the assault on the fortress, the persistent opinion of contemporaries - military theorists - was refuted that coastal fortresses are taken only from land, and the fleet ensures a close blockade of them. F.F. Ushakov proposed a brilliantly implemented new solution: a powerful shelling of the fortifications with naval artillery, the suppression of coastal batteries and the landing of grenadier troops. It was not for nothing that the great commander wrote in his congratulations: “Hurray! To the Russian fleet... Now I say to myself: why wasn’t I at least a midshipman at Corfu.”
The archipelago epic ended here. On the liberated islands, under the temporary protectorate of Russia and Turkey, the Republic of the Republic of the Seven United Islands was created, which for several years served as a support base for the Russian Mediterranean squadron. And in the Mediterranean Sea itself, Ushakov continued his victorious campaign, despite the fact that he did not have a good relationship with the commander English fleet Nelson. He considered the Russian squadron an auxiliary force designed to serve British interests, insisting on sending it to the Egyptian shores. It is no coincidence that the English admiral, understanding the importance for the British Empire of occupying a dominant position in the Mediterranean, did not allow Ushakov to move to the strategic island of Malta. The admiral had to go to the shores of Naples and restore the power of King Ferdinand there.
However, the successes of the Russian fleet, as well as the brilliantly carried out land operations of A.V. during this campaign. Suvorov, did not bring diplomatic benefits. Emperor Paul made a sharp turn in politics, breaking the alliance with England and Austria and began negotiations on an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte. The next turn in Russian politics occurred on the night of March 12, 1801. Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich went out to the soldiers of the Semenovsky regiment guarding the Mikhailovsky Castle and said that his father had died of an apoplexy.
March 3, 2019 marked exactly 220 years since the most famous feat of Admiral F.F. Ushakov - liberation from the French occupiers of the island of Corfu in the Ionian archipelago. There were powerful fortifications on the island; the French considered Corfu an impregnable stronghold. Ushakov's victory is the first time in history that such a powerful coastal fortress was captured by one fleet. About these events - an article by Alexander Samonov on Topvar. Original.
On March 3, 1799, the Russian-Turkish fleet under the command of Admiral Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov completed the operation to capture Corfu. French troops were forced to surrender the largest and most well-fortified of the Ionian islands, Corfu. The capture of Corfu completed the liberation of the Ionian Islands and led to the creation of the Republic of the Seven Islands, which was under the protectorate of Russia and Turkey and became a support base for the Russian Mediterranean squadron.
The French Revolution led to serious military and political changes in Europe. At first, revolutionary France defended itself, repelling attacks from its neighbors, but soon went on the offensive (“exporting the revolution”). In 1796-1797 the French army under the command of the young and talented French general Napoleon Bonaparte captured Northern Italy (Napoleon Bonaparte’s first serious victory. The brilliant Italian campaign of 1796-1797). In May 1797, the French captured the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Zante, Kefalonia, St. Maures, Tserigo and others), which belonged to the Venetian Republic, which were located along the western coast of Greece. The Ionian Islands were of great strategic importance; control over them allowed them to dominate the Adriatic Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.
France had extensive plans of conquest in the Mediterranean. In 1798, Napoleon began a new campaign of conquest - the French expeditionary army set out to capture Egypt (Battle of the Pyramids. Bonaparte's Egyptian Campaign). From there, Napoleon planned to repeat the campaign of Alexander the Great; his minimum program included Palestine and Syria, and with the successful development of hostilities, the French could move to Constantinople, Persia and India. Napoleon successfully avoided a collision with the British fleet and landed in Egypt.
On September 20, Ushakov’s squadron left the Dardanelles and moved towards the Ionian Islands. The liberation of the islands began with Tserigo. On the evening of September 30, Admiral Ushakov invited the French to lay down their arms. The enemy promised to fight “to the last extreme.” On the morning of October 1, artillery shelling of the Kapsali fortress began. Initially, the French artillery actively responded, but when the Russian landing force prepared for the assault, the French command stopped resisting.
Two weeks later, the Russian fleet approached the island of Zante. Two frigates approached the shore and suppressed the enemy's coastal batteries. Then the troops landed. Together with local residents, Russian sailors surrounded the fortress. The French commandant, Colonel Lucas, seeing the hopelessness of the situation, capitulated. About 500 French officers and soldiers surrendered. Russian sailors had to protect the French from the just revenge of local residents. It must be said that during the liberation of the Ionian Islands, local residents greeted the Russians very joyfully and actively helped them. The French behaved like savages, robberies and violence were commonplace. The help of the local population, who knew the waters, the terrain, all the paths and approaches well, was very helpful.
After the liberation of the island of Zante, Ushakov divided the squadron into three detachments. Four ships under the command of captain 2nd rank D.N. Senyavin went to the island of St. The Moors, six ships under the command of captain 1st rank I. A. Selivachev went to Corfu, and five ships of captain 1st rank I. S. Poskochin - to Cephalonia.
In Kefalonia, the French surrendered without a fight. The French garrison fled to the mountains, where they were captured by local residents. On the island of St. The Moors and French refused to surrender. Senyavin landed an airborne detachment with artillery. After a 10-day bombardment and the arrival of Ushakov's squadron, the French commandant, Colonel Miolet, began negotiations. On November 5, the French laid down their arms.
Russian naval cannon - one of those used during the Mediterranean expedition
After the liberation of the island of St. Marfa Ushakov headed towards Corfu. The first to arrive on the island of Corfu was the detachment of Captain Selivachev: 3 battleships, 3 frigates and a number of small ships. The detachment arrived at the island on October 24, 1798. On October 31, a detachment of captain 2nd rank Poskochin arrived on the island. On November 9, the main forces of the united Russian-Turkish fleet under the command of Ushakov approached Corfu. As a result, the combined Russian-Turkish forces had 10 battleships, 9 frigates and other vessels. In December, the squadron was joined by detachments of ships under the command of Rear Admiral P. V. Pustoshkin (74-gun battleships “St. Michael” and “Simeon and Anna”), captain 2nd rank A. A. Sorokin (frigates “St. Michael” and “Our Lady of Kazan”). Thus, the allied squadron consisted of 12 battleships, 11 frigates and a significant number of small ships.
Corfu was located on the east coast in the central part of the island and consisted of a whole complex of powerful fortifications. Since ancient times, the city was considered the key to the Adriatic and was well fortified. French engineers supplemented the old fortifications with the latest achievements of fortification science.
On the eastern part, on a steep cliff, was the “Old Fortress” (maritime, Venetian or Paleo Frurio). From the main city, the Old Fortress was separated by an artificial moat. Behind the moat was the “New Fortress” (coastal or Neo Frurio). The city was protected from the sea by a steep bank. In addition, it was surrounded on all sides by a high double rampart and a ditch. There were ditches along the entire length of the rampart. Also on the land side, the city was protected by three forts: San Salvador, San Roque and Abraham Front. The most powerful was San Salvador, which consisted of casemates carved into the rocks, connected by underground passages. From the sea, the city was covered by the well-defended island of Vido. It was a high mountain dominating Corfu. On the approaches to Vido from the sea, booms with iron chains were installed.
Corfu. New fortress
The defense of the city was commanded by the governor of the islands, division general Chabot, and the commissioner general Dubois. The Vido garrison was commanded by Brigadier General Pivron. Before the Russian squadron arrived on the island, Dubois transferred a significant part of the troops from other islands to Corfu. In Corfu, the French had 3 thousand soldiers and 650 guns. Vido was defended by 500 soldiers and 5 artillery batteries. In addition, the space between the islands of Corfu and Vido served as a stopover for French ships. A squadron of 9 pennants was located here: 2 battleships (74-gun "Generos" and 54-gun "Leander"), 1 frigate (32-gun frigate "La Brune"), bombardment ship "La Frimar", brig "Expedition" "and four auxiliary vessels. The French squadron had up to 200 guns. They planned to transfer another 3 thousand soldiers from Ancona with the help of several military and transport ships, but after learning about the situation in Corfu, the ships returned.
Upon arrival at Corfu, Selivachev's ships began blockading the fortress. Three ships took up positions near the Northern Strait, the rest - near the Southern Strait. The French were offered to capitulate, but the offer of surrender was rejected. On October 27, the French conducted reconnaissance in force. The ship "Generos" approached the Russian ship "Zachary and Elizabeth" and opened fire. The Russians responded, the French did not dare to continue the battle and turned back. In addition, Russian ships captured a French 18-gun brig and three transports that were trying to break through to the fortress.
After the arrival of Ushakov’s squadron, several ships approached the port of Gouvi, located 6 km north of Corfu. There was a village with an old shipyard here. But almost all the buildings were destroyed by the French. Russian sailors set up a coastal base in this harbor. In order to prevent the French garrison from replenishing provisions by robbing local residents, Russian sailors, with the help of the local population, began to build batteries and earthen fortifications in the area of the fortress. On the northern shore, the battery was installed on the hill of Mont Oliveto (Mount Olivet). Captain Kikin's detachment was located here. From the hill it was convenient to fire at the advanced forts of the enemy fortress. On November 15, the battery opened fire on the fortress. A battery was also installed south of the fortress. Ratmanov’s detachment was stationed here. They gradually formed a militia of about 1.6 thousand people from local residents.
The French command counted on the impregnable fortifications of the fortress, and were confident that the Russian sailors would not be able to take it by storm and would not be able to wage a long siege and would leave Corfu. General Chabot tried to wear down the besiegers, keeping them in suspense, carrying out sorties and artillery bombardments every day, which required the Russian sailors to be constantly vigilant and ready to repel French attacks. In many ways these were correct calculations. The besiegers experienced enormous difficulties with ground forces, artillery and supplies. However, the Russian squadron was led by the iron Ushakov and the French fortress was besieged by the Russians, not the Turks, so the calculation did not come true.
Russian sailors bore the brunt of the siege of Corfu on their shoulders. The help of the Turkish squadron was limited. Kadyr Bey did not want to risk his ships and tried to refrain from direct clashes with the enemy. Ushakov wrote: “I protect them like a red egg, and I don’t let them into danger... and they themselves are not keen on it.” In addition, the Ottomans did not fulfill the combat missions assigned to them. So, on the night of January 26, the battleship Generos, following Napoleon’s orders, broke out of Corfu. The French painted the sails black for camouflage. A Russian patrol ship discovered the enemy and gave a signal about it. Ushakov ordered Kadyr Bey to chase the enemy, but he ignored this instruction. Then Lieutenant Metaxa was sent to the Ottoman flagship to force the Ottomans to carry out the admiral’s order. But the Turks never weighed anchor. "Generos" and the brig calmly left for Ancona.
The blockade of the fortress weakened its garrison, but it was obvious that an assault was needed to capture Corfu. But there were no necessary forces and means for the assault. As Ushakov noted, the fleet was located far from supply bases and was in great need. Russian sailors were deprived of literally everything that was required for conventional combat operations, not to mention the assault on a first-class fortress. Contrary to the promises of the Ottoman command, Turkey did not allocate the required number of ground troops for the siege of Corfu. In the end, about 4.2 thousand soldiers were sent from Albania, although 17 thousand people were promised. The situation was also bad with siege ground artillery and ammunition. The lack of ammunition limited any combat activity. The ships and batteries were silent for a long time. Ushakov ordered to take care of existing shells and shoot only when absolutely necessary.
The squadron also experienced great need for food. The situation was close to disaster. For months, the sailors lived on starvation rations; there were no supplies of provisions from either the Ottoman Empire or Russia. But the Russians could not follow the example of the Ottomans and the French and rob the already disadvantaged local population. Ushakov informed the Russian ambassador in Constantinople that they were surviving on their last crumbs and were starving. In addition, even the food supplied was of disgusting quality. So, in December 1798, the transport “Irina” arrived from Sevastopol with a load of corned beef. However, a significant part of the meat turned out to be rotten, with worms.
The sailors on the ships were undressed and needed uniforms. Ushakov, at the very beginning of the campaign, reported to the Admiralty that the sailors had not received their salaries, uniforms and uniform money for the year. The existing uniform had fallen into disrepair; there were no ways to correct the situation. Many did not even have shoes. When the squadron received the money, it turned out that there was no use from it - officials sent paper notes. Nobody accepted that kind of money, even with a significant reduction in its price. Therefore, they were sent back to Sevastopol.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that St. Petersburg tried to lead the squadron. Orders came, commands from Paul and senior dignitaries, which were already outdated and did not correspond to the military-political situation or the situation in the Mediterranean theater of military operations. So, instead of concentrating all the forces of the squadron at Corfu. Every now and then Ushakov had to send ships to other places (to Ragusa, Brindisi, Messina, etc.). This made it difficult to effectively use Russian forces. In addition, the British, who themselves wanted to liberate and seize the Ionian Islands for themselves, sought to weaken the Russian squadron, insisting that Ushakov allocate ships to Alexandria, Crete and Messina. Ushakov correctly assessed the vile maneuver of the “ally” and informed the ambassador to Constantinople that the British wanted to distract the Russian squadron from real affairs, “make them catch flies,” and themselves occupy “those places from which they are trying to distance us.”
In February 1799, the position of the Russian squadron improved somewhat. The ships that had been sent earlier to carry out various assignments arrived in Corfu. Several detachments of Turkish auxiliary troops were brought. On January 23 (February 3), 1799, new batteries began to be built on the southern side of the island. Therefore, Ushakov decided to move from the siege to a decisive assault on the fortress. On February 14 (25), the final preparations for the assault began. Sailors and soldiers were taught techniques for overcoming various obstacles and using assault ladders. Staircases were made in large quantities.
First, Ushakov decided to take the island of Vido, which he called “the key to Corfu.” The ships of the squadron were supposed to suppress enemy coastal batteries and then land troops. At the same time, the enemy was to be attacked by detachments located on the island of Corfu. They were supposed to hit Forts Abraham, St. Roca and Salvador. Most commanders fully approved of Ushakov's plan. Only a few Ottoman commanders called the operation plan "a pipe dream." However, they were in the minority.
On February 17, the ships received an order to attack the enemy at the first convenient wind. On the night of February 18, the wind was southwest, so there was no hope of a decisive attack. But in the morning the weather changed. A fresh wind blew from the northwest. The signal was raised on the flagship: “the entire squadron should prepare for an attack on Vido Island.” At 7 o'clock two shots were heard from the ship "St. Paul". This was the signal for the ground forces in Corfu to begin shelling enemy fortifications. Then the ships began to move into position.
Three frigates were in the vanguard, they attacked the first battery. The rest of the ships followed them. "Pavel" fired at the enemy's first battery, and then concentrated its fire on the second battery. The ship was positioned at such close range that all guns could be used. Other ships followed the flagships: the battleship “Simeon and Anna” under the command of captain 1st rank K. S. Leontovich, “Magdalena” captain 1st rank G. A. Timchenko; Closer to the northwestern cape of the island, the ship “Mikhail” under the command of I. Ya. Saltanov, “Zachary and Elizaveta” under captain I. A. Selivachev, and the frigate “Gregory” under captain-lieutenant I. A. Shostak occupied positions. The ship "Epiphany" under the command of A.P. Alexiano did not anchor, firing at enemy batteries on the move. Kadyr Bey's ships were located at some distance, not risking getting close to the French batteries.
In order to paralyze the French ships, Ushakov allocated the ship “Peter” under the command of D. N. Senyavin and the frigate “Navarchia” under the command of N. D. Voinovich. They exchanged fire with the French ships and the fifth battery. They were assisted by the ship Epiphany, firing at these targets as it moved. Under the influence of Russian fire, the French ships were severely damaged. The battleship Leander received particularly severe damage. Barely staying afloat, he left his position and took refuge near the walls of the fortress. The Russian ships also sank several galleys with the troops on them, which were intended to strengthen the Vido garrison.
Initially the French fought bravely. They were sure that the batteries were impregnable against an attack from the sea. Stone parapets and earthen ramparts protected them well. However, as the battle continued, confusion in the ranks of the enemies grew. Russian ships, salvo after salvo, attacked the French batteries and had no intention of retreating. French losses were growing, gunners were dying, guns were out of action. By 10 o'clock the French batteries had significantly reduced the intensity of the fire. The French artillerymen began to leave their positions and run deeper into the island.
Ushakov, as soon as he noticed the first signs of weakening enemy fire, ordered preparations to begin to unload the landing force. Landing groups on longboats and boats headed for the island. Under the cover of naval artillery, the ships began to land troops. The first group landed between the second and third batteries, where the naval artillery dealt the strongest blow to the enemy. The second detachment was landed between the third and fourth batteries, and the third at the first battery. In total, about 2.1 thousand paratroopers were landed ashore (about 1.5 thousand of them were Russian soldiers).
By the time of the assault, General Pivron had created a serious anti-landing defense of the island: they installed barriers to prevent the movement of rowing ships, rubble, earthen embankments, wolf pits, etc. The landing ships were fired not only from land. But also small ships standing off the coast. However, Russian sailors overcame all obstacles. Having gained a foothold on the shore, the Russian paratroopers began to push back the enemy, capturing one position after another. They moved towards the batteries, which were the main centers of resistance. First, the third battery was captured, then the Russian flag was raised over the strongest, second battery. French ships located near Vido were captured. The French soldiers ran to the south side of the island, hoping to escape to Corfu. But Russian ships blocked the path of the French rowing ships. Around noon the first battery fell. The French could not withstand the onslaught of the Russian sailors and surrendered.
By 2 p.m. the battle was over. The remnants of the French garrison laid down their arms. The Turks and Albanians, embittered by the stubborn resistance of the French, began to slaughter the prisoners, but the Russians protected them. Of the 800 people defending the island, 200 people were killed, 402 soldiers, 20 officers and the commandant of the island, Brigadier General Pivron, were taken prisoner. About 150 people were able to escape to Corfu. Russian losses amounted to 31 people killed and 100 wounded, the Turks and Albanians lost 180 people.
The capture of Vido predetermined the outcome of the assault on Corfu. Russian batteries were placed on the island of Vido, which opened fire on Corfu. While the battle for Vido was going on, Russian batteries in Corfu had been shelling enemy fortifications since the morning. Several ships that did not participate in the assault on Vido also fired at the fortress. Then the landing troops began an assault on the French forward fortifications. Local residents showed paths that made it possible to bypass the mined approaches. Hand-to-hand combat ensued at Fort Salvador. But the French repulsed the first attack. Then reinforcements were landed from ships on Corfu. The assault on enemy positions was resumed. The sailors acted heroically. Under enemy fire, they made their way to the walls, set up ladders and climbed the fortifications. Despite desperate French resistance, all three forward forts were captured. The French fled to the main fortifications.
By the evening of February 18 (March 1), the battle died down. The apparent ease with which the Russian sailors took Vido and the advanced forts demoralized the French command. The French, having lost about 1 thousand people in one day of battle, decided that resistance was pointless. The next day, a French boat arrived at Ushakov’s ship. The French commander's aide-de-camp proposed a truce. Ushakov offered to surrender the fortress within 24 hours. Soon the fortress announced that they agreed to lay down their arms. On February 20 (March 3), 1799, the act of surrender was signed.
On February 22 (March 5), the French garrison of 2,931 people, including 4 generals, surrendered. Admiral Ushakov was given French banners and the keys to Corfu. About 20 combat and auxiliary vessels became Russian trophies, including the battleship Leander, the frigate Labrune, a brig, a bombardment ship, three brigantines and other vessels. 629 guns, about 5 thousand rifles, over 150 thousand cannonballs and bombs, more than half a million rounds of ammunition, and a large amount of various equipment and food were captured from the fortifications and arsenal of the fortress.
According to the terms of surrender, the French, having surrendered the fortress with all the guns, arsenals and stores, retained their freedom. They only swore not to fight against Russia and its allies for 18 months. The French were sent to Toulon. But this condition did not apply to the hundreds of Jews who fought alongside the French. They were sent to Istanbul.
The allied forces lost 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians. Sovereign Pavel promoted Ushakov to admiral and awarded him the diamond insignia of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. The Ottoman Sultan sent a firman with praise and presented a cheleng (golden feather studded with diamonds), a sable fur coat and 1000 chervonets for small expenses. He sent another 3,500 chervonets for the team.
The victory at Corfu completed the liberation of the Ionian Islands from French rule and made a great impression on Europe. The Ionian Islands became a stronghold of Russia in the Mediterranean Sea. European military officers and politicians did not expect such a decisive and victorious outcome of the struggle against France's powerful stronghold in the Mediterranean. Many believed that Vido would be very difficult to take, and Corfu completely impossible. The fortress had a sufficient garrison, supported by a detachment of ships, first-class fortifications, powerful artillery weapons, large reserves of ammunition and provisions, but could not withstand the onslaught of Russian sailors. “All friends and enemies have respect and respect for us,” noted Admiral Ushakov.
The brilliant skill of Russian sailors was also recognized by the enemies of Russia - the French military leaders. They said that they had never seen or heard anything like this before, they did not imagine that it was possible to take by storm the terrible batteries of Corfu and the island of Vido with only ships. Such courage has hardly ever been seen before.
The capture of Corfu clearly demonstrated the creative nature of Admiral Ushakov’s skill. The Russian admiral showed the flawed opinion that an attack on a strong fortress from the sea is impossible. Naval artillery became the main means of suppressing enemy coastal forces. In addition, much attention was paid to the marine corps, the organization of landing operations to seize bridgeheads, and the construction of coastal batteries. The victorious assault on Vido and Corfu overthrew the theoretical constructs of Western European military specialists. Russian sailors have proven that they can carry out the most difficult combat missions. The assault on what was considered an impregnable sea fortress is inscribed in the history of the Russian school of naval art.
In 1789, a revolution took place in France, that is, an event that seemed to be purely internal, but the Great French Revolution changed Russian-Turkish relations for as much as 35 years. On July 14, 1789, the rebel Parisians took the Bastille. On this occasion, the French ambassador in St. Petersburg, Segur, wrote: “... there was such rejoicing in the city, as if the cannons of the Bastille were directly threatening the citizens of St. Petersburg.” Catherine was extremely outraged by the events in France. Her angry words scattered throughout Europe. She called the deputies of the National Assembly intriguers, unworthy of the title of legislators, “canals” who could be compared to “Marquis Pugachev.” Catherine called on European states to intervene - “the cause of Louis XVI is the cause of all sovereigns of Europe.” After the execution of the king, Catherine cried publicly; she later stated: “... it is necessary to eradicate all the French so that the name of this people disappears.”
And what did such an aggressive empress do after such words? Yes, absolutely nothing. Except that in 1795 she sent Vice Admiral Khanykov’s squadron consisting of 12 ships and 8 frigates to the North Sea. This squadron escorted merchants, led a blockade of the Dutch coast, etc. She had no combat losses. In fact, it was ordinary combat training, with the difference that it was financed entirely by England.
Moreover, Catherine was well aware of the events in France. The completeness of information plus the empress's analytical mind allowed her to predict events. So, in October 1789, she said about Louis XVI: “He will suffer the fate of Charles I.” And indeed, on January 21, 1793, the king's head rolled into a basket at the foot of the guillotine.
In February 1794, Catherine wrote: “If France copes with its troubles, it will be stronger than ever, it will be obedient and meek like a lamb; but for this you need a remarkable person, dexterous, brave, ahead of his contemporaries and even, perhaps, his age. Was he born or not yet born? Will he come? It all depends. If such a person is found, he will stop the further fall with his foot, which will stop where he stands, in France or in another place.” But until the 18th Brumaire there were 5 years and 7 months!
The Mother Empress’s opinion about the events in France in a narrow circle differed sharply from her public statements. About Louis XVI she remarked: “He is drunk every evening, and he is controlled by whoever wants.” On December 4, 1791, Catherine told her secretary Khrapovitsky: “I am racking my brains to move the Viennese and Berlin courts into French affairs... to introduce them into affairs so that I myself can have my hands free. I have many unfinished enterprises, and it is necessary that these yards be occupied and not be disturbed.”
In August 1792, Prussian and Austrian troops invaded France. Europe is entering a period of “revolutionary wars.” But strange events are happening in Russia. The best forces of the army and navy are concentrated not to the west against the Jacobin villains, but to the south. In 1793, 145 officers and 2,000 sailors were transferred from the Baltic to the Black Sea. 50 gunboats and 72 rowing vessels of various classes were laid down in Kherson and Nikolaev. By the navigation of 1793, the Black Sea Fleet included 19 ships, 6 frigates and 105 rowing vessels. The decree on the preparation of the Black Sea Fleet said that it “can embrace the walls of Constantinople with the Chesme flame.”
In January 1793, the new commander-in-chief, Count Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, arrived in Kherson. While Catherine was putting together a coalition to fight the Jacobins and throwing public tantrums about the execution of the king and queen, at the St. Petersburg mint master Timofey Ivanov was secretly minting medals, on one side of which Catherine II was depicted, and on the other - burning Constantinople, a falling minaret with a crescent and a cross shining in the clouds.
The operation to capture the straits was scheduled for the beginning of navigation in 1793. However, in the spring of this year, an uprising began in Poland under the leadership of Kosciuszko. Reluctantly, Catherine was forced to abandon the campaign against Istanbul. On August 14, 1793, Suvorov arrived in Poland, and on October 24, Warsaw capitulated to him. As a result, Suvorov became a field marshal, Catherine annexed three more provinces to Russia - Vilna, Grodno and Kovno, and at the same time the Duchy of Courland.
But a bird in the hand is not always better than a pie in the sky. Catherine understood this very well, and a new operation was planned for 1797. According to her plan, Count Valerian Zubov was supposed to end the war in Persia and move troops to Turkish Anatolia. Suvorov and the army were supposed to move to Constantinople through the Balkans. And Vice Admiral Ushakov with the ship and rowing fleet - to the Bosphorus. Formally, the empress was supposed to personally command the fleet.
Once again, an incident changed the course of history. On November 6, 1796, Catherine the Great died. Her son Paul ascended the throne. Having come to power, he decided to do the opposite. Pavel stopped preparations for the Bosphorus operation and recalled Admiral Makarov's squadron from the North Sea. Pavel indignantly declared to Potemkin’s former secretary Popov: “How to correct the evil done to Russia by the one-eyed?” Popov was not taken aback: “Return Crimea to the Turks, Your Majesty!” Pavel did not risk giving up Crimea, but he ordered Sevastopol to be renamed Akhtiar. In the first months of his reign, Paul did not interfere in European affairs, but closely monitored them. The years 1796-1797 were marked, on the one hand, by political instability in France, and on the other hand, by the successes of the French army in the fight against the European coalition. Paul perceived this situation only as a military weakness of the monarchs of Europe. He gradually allowed himself to be convinced that without his intervention it was impossible to restore order in Europe.
In April 1796, the French army under the command of 27-year-old General Bonaparte invaded Italy. Austria sent one after another the best armies under the command of its best commanders, but they were smashed to smithereens by Bonaparte. In May 1797, the French occupied Venice.
For General Bonaparte, the possessions of the Republic of Dalmatia and the Ionian Islands were of much greater value than the city of Venice itself. As Napoleon wrote: “Corfu was one of the most important possessions of the Republic.” Indeed, the island of Corfu provided a good base for control of the Eastern Mediterranean.
By order of Bonaparte, a squadron of captured Venetian ships was sent to the Ionian Islands, the core of which were six 64-gun ships. The squadron loaded four infantry battalions and six artillery companies under the command of General A. Gentilly. The expedition was led by the Commissioner of the Directory, Hellenistic historian A. - V. Arno. On behalf of Bonaparte, he composed the following appeal to the inhabitants of the Ionian Islands: “Descendants of the first people, famous for their republican institutions, return to the virtues of your ancestors, restore the prestige of the Greeks to their original splendor ... and you will regain your valor of ancient times, the rights that France, the liberator, will provide you Italy."
Approaching Corfu, the French saw many armed Greeks on the shore. Arno alone went ashore on a boat. His speech caused a storm of applause among the population of Corfu. The Greeks joyfully welcomed the landing of French troops.
The Republicans began to "democratize" the Ionian Islands. The population was enthusiastic about planting “freedom trees” and danced around them. The Olympic Games were held, etc. However, the indemnity of 60 thousand thalers imposed on the inhabitants of the Ionian Islands was clearly not to their liking. In addition, the French command made an unforgivable mistake on the islands, grossly promoting atheism and the cult of the “higher mind.” As a result, the Orthodox clergy began to incite the population to revolt.
On February 13, 1798, a captured Venetian squadron consisting of 11 ships and 6 frigates under the command of Vice Admiral F. Bruyes left for Toulon. The French left one ship and one frigate in Corfu.
In the spring of 1798, the concentration of ships and transports began in Toulon. A 38,000-strong landing corps under the command of Bonaparte himself was pulled there. All of Europe held its breath. Newspapers disseminated the most contradictory information about Bonaparte's plans - from the landing in England to the capture of Constantinople. On the banks of the Neva they were afraid that the villain Buonaparte was planning to take away Crimea. On April 23, 1798, Paul I urgently sent an order to Ushakov to go out to sea with the squadron and take a position between Akhtiar and Odessa, “observing all movements from the Porte and the French.”
On May 19, the French fleet left Toulon. On May 23, the French approached Malta, which belonged to the Order of the Knights of Malta. Malta surrendered without a fight, and the knights had to get away from the island as quickly as possible. On June 20, 1798, the French army landed in Egypt. Bonaparte easily defeated the Turks and occupied Egypt, but on July 20-21, Admiral Nelson defeated the French fleet in Abukir Bay. Bonaparte's army found itself cut off from France.
The knights expelled from Malta turned to Paul I for help and invited him to become the Grand Master of the order. Pavel happily agreed, not thinking about the comedy of the situation - he, the head of the Orthodox Church, was offered to become a master of the Catholic order. On September 10, 1798, Paul issued a manifesto accepting the Order of Malta into “his Highest Administration.” On the same day, Ushakov’s squadron united with the Turkish squadron in the Dardanelles, and together they moved against the French.
Bonaparte scared the Turks even more than the Russians. Although Egypt was ruled by Mameluke beys, semi-independent of Istanbul, and Bonaparte repeatedly stated that he was fighting not with the Turks, but with the Mamelukes, Sultan Selim III still considered the French landing an attack on the Ottoman Empire. Moreover, foreign diplomats, most likely Russian, brought to the Sultan “secret” information about the plans of “Bonaparte”, who decided to destroy Mecca and Medina and restore the Jewish state in Jerusalem. And how can one not believe this when the French are on the Nile and moving to Syria? There is no time for memories of Ochakov and Crimea.
Sultan Selim III ordered an alliance with Russia, and the French ambassador, as expected, was imprisoned in the Seven Tower Castle.
On August 7, 1798, Paul I sent an order to Admiral Ushakov to follow the squadron to Constantinople, and from there to the Mediterranean Sea.
On August 12, 1798, six ships, seven frigates and three advice notes left the Akhtiar port. On board the ships there were 792 cannons and 7,406 “naval servants”. A fair wind was blowing the sails, St. Andrew's flags were flying proudly, the squadron of the famous "Ushak Pasha" was heading towards the Bosphorus. Everyone, from the vice admiral to the cabin boy, was confident of success. It never occurred to anyone that it was on this day that a sixteen-year bloody war with France began. Ahead will be the “sun of Austerlitz”, and burning Moscow, and the Cossacks on the Champs Elysees.
On August 25, the Russian squadron passed the Bosphorus and anchored in Buyuk-Dere opposite the house of the Russian ambassador. It is interesting that the population joyfully greeted their “sworn enemies.” Admiral Ushakov reported to Pavel: “The Brilliant Porte and all the people of Constantinople are incomparably delighted with the arrival of the auxiliary squadron, courtesy, affection and goodwill in all cases are perfect.” Even Selim III could not resist and went around the Russian ships incognito on a boat.
On the day of the arrival of Ushakov’s squadron, the Grand Vizier presented the Russian envoy V.S. Tomare a declaration intended for Ushakov. It said: “Russian military and transport ships will have complete freedom throughout the duration of this war to pass and return through the Black Sea Canal and the Dardanelles; they will enjoy great security and will be allowed through on the basis of their single statement about themselves that they are Russian ships...
The necessary orders will be sent to all the marinas belonging to the Sublime Porte, so that the Russian squadron will be given favors, benefits and assistance everywhere.”
In addition, the declaration spoke of “the mutual extradition of deserters and the promotion of sanitary measures to avoid the spread of contagious diseases.”
When the Russian squadron entered the Bosphorus, neither Ushakov nor Pavel had a specific plan for conducting military operations. So, in Constantinople, Ushakov received a letter from Grigory Kushelev with instructions in case of defending the Dardanelles from an attack by the French fleet. However, upon receiving news of the defeat of the French fleet at Abukir, the Turks agreed with Tomara and Ushakov on a joint operation to liberate the Ionian Islands. On this occasion, Ushakov sent an appeal to the inhabitants of the islands, calling on the people to assist the allied fleet in expelling the French. Along with this appeal, the Patriarch of Constantinople Gregory, by order of the Sultan, conveyed his pastoral exhortation to the Greek people, proposing to “throw off the yoke of French enslavement and establish a government similar to the French one under the auspices of the three allied courts, or whatever will be recognized by them as good.”
The Russian squadron left Constantinople to the roar of fireworks. There was a crowd of people on the shore. Selim III himself stood on the veranda of the palace.
Poskochin immediately took action by placing loaded cannons in front of the pickets. And Ushakov ordered three frigates to approach both cities of Cephalonia with grapeshot. And if robberies and riots cannot be stopped peacefully, then shoot first with blank charges, and then with buckshot.
On October 23, Ushakov arrived on the island of Kefalonia. The population joyfully welcomed the Russian admiral. The next day, Ushakov received a number of denunciations from the local nobility, demanding the arrest and trial of members of the municipality who collaborated with the French, and other Jacobins. However, “Admiral Ushakov, entering into the position of these unfortunate citizens who submitted to force and acted, probably more out of fear than from harmful intentions, did not pay any attention to this denunciation and, by this wise behavior, saved the accused not only from inevitable persecution, but also from useless complaints."
On the island of Kefalonia, Ushakov left a guard guard in the form of a notice “Krasnoselye” and a garrison of 15 Russians and 15 Turks.
On October 18, Ushakov sent a detachment to the island of St. Mavra, consisting of the ship St. Peter and the frigate Navarhiya, as well as two Turkish ships. The detachment was commanded by Captain 1st Rank D.N. Senyavin.
Two days later, another, stronger detachment set out to blockade the island of Corfu. It included the ships “Zachary and Elizabeth”, “Epiphany of the Lord” and the frigate “Gregory the Great of Armenia”, as well as one Turkish ship and two frigates. Captain 1st Rank I.A. was appointed to command the detachment. Selivachev.
On October 24, Selivachev’s detachment arrived at Corfu. The next day, deputies from nobles, priests and foremen came to the flagship, asking under no circumstances to “land the Turks” and promising to send an auxiliary corps of 10 to 15 thousand people to help the Russians.
Selivachev decided to send Captain-Lieutenant Shostak to the fortress to find out if the garrison had any intention of surrendering. Shostak “was led blindfolded into the fortress, into a huge hall filled with French generals and foremen, who received him with great courtesy and responded to his demand that they did not yet see anyone to surrender to, and were surprised that this was being demanded of them; but despite all this, they treated him to the dinner table, drank to his health, and then invited him to the theater and to dinner.”
Meanwhile, for the first time, the French offered serious resistance to Senyavin’s detachment on the island of St. Mavra (Santa Mauri). The situation was complicated by the geographical location of the island, separated from the Albanian coast by a narrow strait “five hundred steps away.” Albania was under the rule of Ali Pasha of Yanin, formally an official of the Porte, but in fact an independent ruler. Even before the arrival of the allied ships, Ali Pasha offered the French commandant of St. Maura, General Miolette, 30 thousand gold pieces for the surrender of the fortress. Miolette refused, but the door was open for further negotiations.
To begin with, Senyavin landed a landing force of 569 people with 6 field and 24 naval guns. Senyavin did not risk using naval artillery against the fortress. Moreover, domestic historians lie at random, shielding him. Thus, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, in the best traditions of “Soviet” historians, describes the impregnable French citadel: “The fortress, located on an impregnable cliff, washed on both sides by water, was defended by 540 people of the French garrison.” And in the “Military Encyclopedia” there is generally indistinct babble: “The detachment’s vessels could not take direct part in the bombardment of the fortress due to its great distance from the detachment’s anchorage.” Either the fortress was removed from the sea beyond the reach of ship's guns, or Senyavin was afraid to approach it - guess what you know.
The Russian landing force, with the assistance of local residents, began building siege batteries (three eight-gun batteries on the island and one four-gun battery on the Albanian coast), which began shelling the fortress on October 23. After two days of intense bombardment, Senyavin again invited the commandant to surrender, but General Miolet demanded an honorable release of the garrison from the fortress and sending it to Toulon or Ancona, which Senyavin refused. The sortie of 300 men undertaken by the French was not successful.
On October 31, a combined Russian-Turkish squadron of Vice Admiral Ushakov arrived at the island of St. Mavra, consisting of two Russian ships, two Russian frigates, two Turkish ships, one Turkish frigate and two Turkish corvettes. Admiral Ushakov ordered to speed up preparations for the assault on the fortress, for which the landing force was brought to 772 people (550 Russians and 222 Turks), not counting the large number of armed residents.
On November 1, when preparations for the assault were completed, the French commandant resumed negotiations on surrender, which was signed on the night of November 3. 512 people surrendered. 37 cast iron cannons of large and small caliber, 17 small-caliber copper cannons and two 7-pound copper mortars were taken from the fortress. As on other islands, Ushakov ordered that copper guns be taken on board the ships and cast iron ones left in the fortress.
During the siege of St. Maura, there was a lot of gunfire, but the French killed 34 people, 43 were wounded, and the Russians killed 2, wounded 6. The losses of the Turks and the local population are unknown.
On October 19, a military convention was concluded in Constantinople between Russia and Turkey, according to which the latter was to release 600 thousand piastres annually for the maintenance of the Russian squadron and obliged all the heads of the coastal pashalyks (regions) and cities of Turkey to assist in supplying the Russian squadron.
In order not to return to the Russian-Turkish negotiations, I will say that on December 23, 1798 (January 3, 1799 according to the new style) an Allied Defense Treaty was concluded in Constantinople between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Porte. The agreement confirmed the Treaty of Jassy of 1791 (“from word to word”). Russia and Turkey guaranteed each other territorial integrity as of January 1, 1798. The secret articles of the treaty stated that Russia promised Turkey military assistance, amounting to 12 ships and 75-80 thousand soldiers. Türkiye pledged to open the straits to the Russian navy. “For all other nations, without exception, entry into the Black Sea will be closed.” Thus, the agreement made the Black Sea a closed Russian-Turkish basin. At the same time, the right of Russia as a Black Sea power to be one of the guarantors of the shipping regime of the Bosporus and Dardanelles was recorded.
As they say, history does not tolerate the subjunctive mood, but if Turkey strictly observed this agreement, then the history of the Russian-Turkish wars could be put to an end. After all, Sweden and Russia made peace in 1809 and have never fought a war to this day. Although Sweden was constantly under pressure from Europe to force it to fight the Russians. In 1812 this was demanded by Napoleon I, in 1855 by Napoleon III and Lord Palmerston, in 1914 by Wilhelm II, and in 1941 by Hitler. But Sweden proved impervious to European pressure. Unfortunately, Türkiye behaved differently.
On November 13, 1798, the Russian ambassador in Istanbul, Tomara, sent Ushakov a rather frank letter with recommendations on methods of conducting military operations. Tomara advised the admiral not to interfere with the Turks conducting the war in their own way: “... therefore, observing on your part in the French reasoning the rules of war, generally accepted, should not force their Turks to observe. Let them do what they want with the French... Violation of the surrender by them cannot be attributed to you, because the surrendering garrisons at his location remain relative to sending them home or to Turkey, and you should not and cannot be burdened with prisoners. Leaving the French to the mercy of the Turks, you must retain refuge in the highest court of the Greeks in all your might, calling your position with them due and obvious protection according to the same faith, and their position with you due and obvious devotion according to the same, and in this you should not pretend at all "
Further, Tomara incites Ushakov to piracy, sorry, to waging an unlimited privateer war: “The London court promulgated orders for its military courts to recognize all Italian ports and ships of the regions dependent on the French as enemy. And just as the Turks with the Republic of Genoa, with the Pope and Cisalpina have never been at peace, and declared war on France, your Excellency, as the commander of the troops of the allied power of England and the Portes, has the right to deal with the courts of those regions in the same way as the British what they do to them."
Thus, the Russian squadron could capture any ships in the Mediterranean Sea, with the exception of English and Turkish ones. Here there is a direct benefit for the ambassador himself - Ushakov’s squadron will be “self-sufficient”, and maybe part of the spoils will go to Tomara.
“On October 29, the Russian ship Epiphany, operating near the Corfu fortress, captured an 18-gun French xebec, which, under the name Macarius, became part of the squadron of Vice Admiral Ushakov.” This phrase wanders from one source to another. The original name of the ship and details of the capture are unknown. Personally, I am sure that the battle with the 18-gun French ship would have been described in detail by our historians. Apparently, it was a merchant ship, possibly equipped with small-caliber guns.
On November 9, 1798, Ushakov with the main forces of the squadron arrived at the island of Corfu. The Corfu fortress was rightfully considered one of the strongest in the Mediterranean. It consisted of five separate fortifications, mutually bombarded by fire from their batteries. To the east of the city, surrounded by a double rampart with deep dry ditches, on the Cape of Capo Desidero there was an old citadel, separated from the city by a wide canal. To the northwest of it was located a new citadel with fortifications carved into the rock. Three separate fortifications protected the city from the southwest: the forts of Saint Abraham, Saint Roque and Saint Salvador. From the sea, Corfu was defended by two fortified islands: Vido and Lazareto. There were five batteries on Vido, and a fortified quarantine on the much smaller Lazareto.
The French garrison defending Corfu numbered 3 thousand people. There were 650 guns on the fortifications. In the harbor between the island of Vido and the old citadel there were two ships - the 74-gun Genereux and the 54-gun Leander, as well as the frigate La Brune, the bombardment ship "La Frimer", a brig and four small vessels.
The history of the ship "Leander" is interesting. After the Battle of Abukir, Admiral Nelson sent Leander to London with a report of his victory. But at dawn on August 7 (18), 1798, not far from Crete, the Leander ran into the French ship Genero, which took part in the Battle of Abukir. After a six-hour battle, the Englishman lowered his flag and was withdrawn to Corfu. The Leander's spar was badly damaged, and due to the lack of ship's rigging in Corfu, the French replaced it with frigate sailing weapons. Nevertheless, by the time the Russians arrived, Leander was not combat-ready.
At first, Ushakov limited himself to the blockade of Corfu, while simultaneously making desperate efforts to strengthen his forces. On November 15-19, by order of the admiral, two batteries were built in Corfu: one 10-gun on November 15 by landing under the command of Captain Kikin against St. Abraham, the enemy’s advanced fort, the other three-gun on November 19 by landing under the command of Lieutenant Ratmanov on the hill of St. Panteleimon.
Local residents also took an active part in the siege of Corfu. So, the Greek engineer Markati formed a volunteer detachment of 1,500 people, and Ushakov helped this detachment by giving it three guns.
The shelling of the batteries erected by the Russians caused some damage to the fortress, but on November 20, about 600 French went on a sortie. The Greeks fled, three Russian gunners were killed, and 17 were captured. True, they were quickly exchanged for French prisoners.
On December 9, 1798, the frigates “St. Michael” and “Our Lady of Kazan” approached Corfu (it is curious that in official documents the frigate was simply called “Kazan”). Both frigates, under the command of Captain 2nd Rank Sorokin, were sent to the shores of Egypt on September 14 and acted together with the English fleet. During the blockade of Alexandria, Sorokin managed to capture several merchant ships. Soon the frigates ran out of food, and since the British refused to supply them, Sorokin went to Corfu.
On December 30, the 74-gun ships “St. Michael” and “Simeon and Anna” arrived at Corfu under the command of Rear Admiral Pustoshkin. The ships left Akhtiar (Sevastopol) on October 26, 1798.
Since the end of autumn 1798, the English and Portuguese squadrons led a blockade of the island of Malta, occupied by the French. On October 13, Admiral Nelson arrived at Malta with a detachment of ships. He immediately captured the nearby castle on the island of Gozzo (its garrison numbered only 180 people). Nelson ordered the Neapolitan flag to be hoisted on Gozzo and saluted with 21 volleys, and he later defiantly threw the French flag captured in the castle at the feet of the King of the Two Sicilies Ferdinand IV and congratulated him on the acquisition of 16 thousand subjects.
On December 12, Nelson sent a letter to Ushakov, where he described the capture of the island of Gozzo, which he transferred into the legal possession of the king of the Two Sicilies. Nelson further wrote: “I hope soon to hear about the destruction of the French ships in Alexandria, as well as the entire French army in Egypt.”
Thus, Sir Horatio tried to deceive both King Ferdinand IV and the Russian admiral - the British were determined not to let Malta out of their hands. By the way, “enlightened sailors” also had plans for Corfu. The extermination of the French in Egypt was the annoying delirium of the glorious admiral.
Willy-nilly, Admiral Ushakov had to agree to the arrival of the Albanian troops of Yanina Pasha on the island of Corfu. By the end of January 1799 there were already 4,250 Albanians on the island.
By this time, Corfu was blocked by an allied squadron consisting of 12 ships, 11 frigates and many small vessels. Nevertheless, the only combat-ready French ship, the ship Genereux, broke the blockade on the night of January 25 along with two small ships. Ushakov wrote to Paul I: “Finally, on the 25th of January, on an extremely dark night, with blackened sails, with a strong south wind, he broke through between the blocking ships. Two half-galleries, deliberately cruising in front of our ships for surveillance, saw it under sail in good time, one of them, in the darkness of the night, got caught right under the ship and, barely having gybed and managed to move away, made a signal to them that the ships were escaping. At the same time, when the Genero had not yet reached our ships, signals were made from me to chase the fleeing ships, to beat, sink and take prisoners, but with an extremely easy move this ship broke through when we fired at it from our ships and from Turkish frigates and went to Ancona. Our two ships “Epiphany of the Lord” and “Zachary and Elizabeth” and the frigate “George of the Great of Armenia”, as well as two Turkish frigates, chased him to Ancona, but in the darkness of the night they could not see him.”
Our military historians blame the Turks exclusively for this scandalous story. However, as we see, Ushakov did not dare to lie to the Tsar.
Despite the onset of winter, the Russians continued their siege work near Corfu. On January 20, under the cover of the Macarius shebek, they began building a battery on the hill of St. Panteleimon. This battery was armed with 16 large naval guns, 14 mortars and field guns. After 10 days the battery was built. Ushakov appointed captain 1st rank Yukharin to command it. Soon another battery with 7 mortars was built. The fire of these batteries caused destruction and fires in the fortress. The French raid to capture the batteries was unsuccessful.
In mid-February, Ushakov began preparations for the assault. To begin with, it was decided to capture the fortifications of Vido Island. At 7 o'clock in the morning on February 18, following a signal from the flagship "St. Paul", the combined Russian-Turkish fleet (ships "St. Peter", "Zachary and Elizabeth", "Epiphany of the Lord", "Simeon and Anna" and "Mary Magdalene", frigates "Gregory the Great of Armenia", "Saint Nicholas", "Navarchia" and "Virgin of Kazan", a schooner, a messenger ship, as well as two Turkish ships, six frigates, a corvette and a gunboat) approached the fortifications of the island of Vido with grapeshot and, becoming on the spring, opened fire on the coastal batteries. Soon all five French batteries were “destroyed and reduced to dust.” At 11 o'clock a Russian-Turkish landing force with a total number of 2159 people was landed. The French, abandoning their batteries, fled into the interior of the island. “Our brave troops,” Admiral Ushakov reported after the battle, “... instantly rushed to all places on the island, and the enemy was defeated and defeated everywhere...” At 2 o’clock in the afternoon a Russian flag was hoisted on the island of Vido. The commandant of the island, Brigadier General Pivro, 20 officers and 402 soldiers were captured.
The French ship Leander and the French frigate, which tried to support the batteries of Vido Island, were so badly damaged in a battle with Russian ships that they were barely able to escape under the protection of the Corfu fortress. The commandant of Vido Island, General Pivron, 20 officers and 402 lower ranks were captured. 200 people were killed and sunk, and only 150 people managed to escape on rowing ships and take refuge in the main fortress.
Immediately after the capture of Vido, troops were landed from the ships of the squadron to support the troops attacking the fortress from the fortifications of Saint Salvador and Saint Abraham. The united forces of Russian sailors and soldiers, Turks, Albanians and Corfiots, having suppressed the desperate resistance of the French, broke into both fortifications, captured them and forced the enemy to flee to the inner fortress.
At the same time, Russian batteries near the village of Mandukchio and from the hill of St. Panteleimon crushed the French, and the ship "Holy Trinity", the frigate "Descent of the Holy Spirit", the advice note "Akat-Iran", the shebek "Makariy" and the Turkish ship stationed at the southern part old citadel, they fired at it with continuous fire.
During the capture of Vido Island and actions on the shore, the Russians lost 31 people killed and 100 wounded.
“The capture of Vido, the fortifications of St. Abraham and St. El Salvador decided the fate of the Corfu fortress.” This phrase wanders from one domestic publication to another. Only Colonel of the General Staff V.A. Moshnin assessed the surrender of Corfu differently: “It was not by bombardment, but rather by hunger that he forced the fortress to surrender.”
And indeed, the old fortress could still hold out for a long time. The fundamentally important question was whether the French would be able to receive reinforcements from outside or not. The military-political situation in Italy and the Mediterranean from 1796 to 1815, as we will see, changed dramatically dozens of times in the most unpredictable ways. Therefore, in the end, both sides decided not to take risks and came to a certain compromise. According to the terms of the honorable surrender, “... the garrison with its own crew will be transported to Toulon on ships hired and maintained by Russian and Turkish squadrons under the cover of military courts, and divisional general Chabot with his entire staff, various officials will be allowed to go to Toulon, or to Ancona, from these places, where he wishes, at the cost of the contracting powers; the generals and the entire French garrison undertake on their word of honor not to take up arms against the All-Russian Empire and the Ottoman Ports and their allies for 18 months.
The French who were captured during the siege of Corfu will be sent with the same rights along with the French garrison to Toulon with an obligation on their word of honor not to take weapons against the aforementioned empires and their allies during the entire course of the present war, until their exchange with both empires, Russian and will not be perpetrated by the Turkish...
In the fortresses of the island of Corfu, when received upon inspection, certain ones were found to have 92 copper mortars of various calibers, 13 cast iron 9-pound stone-fired mortars, 21 copper doves (howitzers), 323 copper cannons of various calibers, 187 cast iron guns of various calibers, 5495 usable guns... 3060 gunpowder of various grades poods, unmilled wheat in different stores up to 2500 quarters and... sea and land provisions for the number of the French garrison for a month and a half, there also turned out to be a considerable amount of supplies and materials in many stores for different positions.
Vessels located near Corfu: the 54-gun ship, sheathed in copper "Leander", the 32-gun frigate "Bruna" ("La Brune"), half an acre of "Expedition" with 8 copper cannons, one bombardment ship, 2 galleys, 4 half-galleys of serviceable , worthless 3, brigantine worthless 4 and 3 merchant ships, and these merchant ships belong to the treasury or owners; the commission was ordered to review them; in the port of Gouvi one 66-gun ship is dilapidated, also one ship, 2 frigates are dilapidated, sunk; At the fortress of Corfu and in the port of Gouvi, there were found quite a few oak and pine forests suitable for repairing ships and changing the mast...
February 23. On the 23rd, a decent number of inhabitants were sent to the ship "Leander" to correct it, and servants from the Turkish squadron were sent to the frigate "Bruna", which, with the consent of the commanders-in-chief of the united squadrons, was taken by the Turks, and the ship "Leander" went to the Russian squadron."
Horatio Nelson was certainly a talented admiral, but in life he was extremely stubborn and petty. Even during the siege of Corfu, through the British ambassador in Istanbul, he sought from the Turkish government to transfer the ship Leander to England. After the surrender of Corfu, the Grand Vizier suggested that Tomara exchange the Leander for the frigate La Brune, which was given to the Turks during the division of trophies, and also pay extra.
On May 18, 1799, Ushakov answered Tomara: “I cannot give up the ship “Leander” without a special command from the sovereign, but if there is a command, I will fulfill everything.” Our admiral responded to Nelson's personal message in a similar manner. Then Sir Horatio decided to act through the ambassador in St. Petersburg, Whitworth, the same one who was preparing a conspiracy against Paul I. “The Knight on the Throne” answered in the style of Bulgakov’s Ivan Vasilyevich: “Kemsk volost? Let them take it!” As a result, Ushakov had to part with his only valuable prize.
As already mentioned, in general, the entire campaign of 1798-1799, led by Paul against revolutionary France, was contrary to the interests of the Russian Empire. Only the capture of Corfu to some extent justified sending a squadron to the Mediterranean Sea.
Throughout the empire the words of Field Marshal Suvorov were repeated: “Our Great Peter is alive. What he said after the defeat of the Swedish fleet at the Aland Islands in 1714, namely: nature has produced only one Russia: it has no rival, we see now. Hooray! To the Russian fleet!.. Now I say to myself: why wasn’t I at Corfu, even as a midshipman!”
The question of the future fate of the Ionian Islands was discussed by Russia and Turkey even before the capture of Corfu. The Turks proposed transferring them to the Kingdom of Naples or creating a principality there, dependent on Turkey. Paul proposed to establish... a republic on the islands! Of course, by modern standards, the constitution of this republic was not entirely democratic. Thus, elections to the Great Council took place in curiae, separately for each class. But nevertheless, the fact remains that Paul I became the first Russian Tsar to establish a republic.
Background
The revolutionary wars of France at the end of the 18th century led to the fact that many key points in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Ionian Islands, control over which allowed them to extend their influence to the Balkans, were captured by the French. The Black Sea squadron of Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov, with the support of a small Turkish flotilla led by Kadyr Bey, was tasked with taking control of the Ionian Islands, which they managed to capture by the beginning of November 1798. All that remained was to take the well-fortified island. Corfu.
Position and plans of the parties
The French covered Fr. Corfu from Apparently, after protracted artillery duels, they hoped to force the Russian-Turkish fleet to leave for the open sea. Total on about. There were about 800 soldiers and 5 artillery batteries under the command of Brigadier General Pivron, on the island. Corfu in the Old and New Fortresses housed 3,000 soldiers with 650 guns under the command of General Jabot.
Ushakov planned to take Fr. Vido, and then, placing artillery batteries on it, begin shelling about. Corfu, concentrating grapeshot fire against the enemy’s artillery positions. In Ushakov's flotilla there were 12 battleships and 11 frigates, a team of sea grenadiers of 1,700 people, Turkish soldiers of 4,250 people, as well as 2,000 Greek patriots. Moreover, by January 26, 1799, Russian sailors managed to build on the island. Corfu has two batteries - opposite Fort San Salvador and the Old Fortress, and also restore the battery at St. Panteleimon." It is from these positions that the landing force will attack the island. Corfu.
Progress of the assault
On February 18 at 7 o'clock in the morning, Ushakov begins the assault on Corfu. The ships “Kazan Mother of God” and “Herim-Captain” began firing grapeshot at battery No. 1 on the island. Vido. A little later, all the ships blocking Vido joined in the shelling. After a 4-hour shelling, all batteries were suppressed, and a landing force of 2,160 people landed on the island. Two French frigates, Leander and La Brune, tried to come to the aid of the besieged, but they, however, received significant damage under the fire of the battleship Blessing of the Lord and were forced to retreat. After a 2-hour battle, 200 Vido defenders were killed, 420 French soldiers, and with them 20 officers and the commandant of the island, General. Pivron is captured. About 150 people managed to swim to Corfu. The Russians lost 31 people killed and 100 wounded, the losses of the Turks and Albanians amounted to 180 people killed and wounded.
Simultaneously with the assault and capture of Fr. Apparently, Russian ships fired at the fortifications of the Old and New fortresses on the island. Corfu. At about 14.00 the Albanians tried to capture the bastion “St. Rock", but were repulsed. The very next Russian-Turkish joint attack forced the French to retreat to the fortress. The assault on the Old and New Fortresses was scheduled for February 19, but in the evening the French surrendered on honorable terms.
Results
2,931 people (including 4 generals) surrendered in Corfu. The military trophies of the winners were: 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5,500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. In the port of Corfu, the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombardment ship, 2 galleys were captured , 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians. The capture of Corfu put an end to France's claims to Mediterranean dominance, and the Republic of the Ionian Islands was formed on the Ionian Islands, which for some time was the base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Corfu
The French Revolution exploded the fragile European peace. From 1792, the continent plunged into the abyss of wars that lasted more than two decades. During this time, the political map of Europe has undergone significant changes. This also affected the Mediterranean region, where at the very end of the 18th century a complex tangle of contradictions arose.
The successes of Napoleon's army in Italy and his capture of the Ionian Islands from powerless Venice in 1797 caused serious concern not only among European governments and Russia, but also in Constantinople, where they feared a French landing in Greece.
On the other hand, after the conclusion of the Peace of Jassy, by the end of the 18th century, thanks to the diplomatic art of M.I. Kutuzov's Russian-Ottoman weapons underwent major improvements. It was this factor, as well as Napoleon’s attack on Egypt in early 1798, that forced the Turkish government to pursue further rapprochement with Russia - the only state with a powerful fleet ready to come to the aid of its southern neighbor. For the first time in the history of relations between these countries, a defensive alliance was concluded between them in 1799.
But even earlier, on August 23 (September 2), 1798, a squadron under the flag of Admiral F.F. Ushakova arrived on the Bosphorus. Sultan Selim III himself visited the flagship incognito, and the squadron received permission for free passage through the Dardanelles. A week later, the Ottoman Empire broke off diplomatic relations with France. Ushakov was placed at the head of the united Russian-Turkish squadron, and patron-bey (rear admiral) Abdul Kadir, an experienced and brave sailor, was given his assistance.
On September 29 (October 9) the squadron approached the island of Tserigo. The French garrison resisted bravely, but only for three days. Ushakov proved himself not only as a skilled naval commander, but also as a subtle diplomat: the prisoners were kept banners and weapons and were released “on their word of honor” - not to fight against Russia. The admiral announced to the residents of the island that he was introducing local self-government here.
On October 14 (25), the same fate befell the fortress on the island of Zante. Moreover, here the French prisoners had to be protected from embittered Greeks, outraged by the predatory morals of the invaders. Soon the islands of Kelafonia, Ithaca, and St. Maura were captured. In November 1798, Russian and Turkish flags flew over all the Ionian islands, except Corfu.
On November 20, the squadron of Ushakov and Kadyr Bey approached Corfu. Expelling the French from it was a matter of strategic importance, since the island was located directly next to the Ottoman possessions, and its possession would ensure the security of the western part of Rumelia. Ushakov, despite the opposition of the English Admiral Nelson, who sought to divert the Russian squadron from taking this French stronghold in the Mediterranean, managed to prepare and carry out one of the most brilliant operations in the history of the Russian fleet. On March 3, 1799, the four thousand strong French garrison of this first-class fortress capitulated.
To avoid heavy losses during the assault, Ushakov decided to first take the small mountainous island of Vido, whose heights dominated the surrounding area. Troops were landed and after a two-hour battle the island was taken. After the fall of Vido, the key to Corfu was in the hands of Ushakov. Russian batteries located on the captured island opened fire on the fortifications of the fortresses of Corfu.
By March 3, the commandant of the fortress, considering further resistance useless, laid down his arms. 2,931 people, including 4 generals, were captured, and on honorable terms of surrender (the French were allowed to leave the island with a promise not to participate in hostilities for 18 months). The military trophies of the winners were 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5,500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. In the port of Corfu, the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombardment ship, 2 galleys, 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians.
For this assault, Emperor Paul promoted Ushakov to admiral and awarded him the diamond insignia of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, the Neapolitan king with the Order of St. Januarius, 1st degree, and the Ottoman Sultan with the Chelenka, the highest award of Turkey.
During the assault on the fortress, the persistent opinion of contemporaries - military theorists - was refuted that coastal fortresses are taken only from land, and the fleet ensures a close blockade of them. F.F. Ushakov proposed a brilliantly implemented new solution: a powerful shelling of the fortifications with naval artillery, the suppression of coastal batteries and the landing of grenadier troops. It’s not for nothing that the great commander A.V. Suvorov wrote in his congratulations: “Hurray! To the Russian fleet... Now I say to myself: why wasn’t I at least a midshipman at Corfu.”
The archipelago epic ended here. On the liberated islands, under the temporary protectorate of Russia and Turkey, the Republic of the Republic of the Seven United Islands was created, which for several years served as a support base for the Russian Mediterranean squadron. And in the Mediterranean Sea itself, Ushakov continued his victorious campaign, despite the fact that he did not have a good relationship with the commander English fleet Nelson. He considered the Russian squadron an auxiliary force designed to serve British interests, insisting on sending it to the Egyptian shores. It is no coincidence that the English admiral, understanding the importance for the British Empire of occupying a dominant position in the Mediterranean, did not allow Ushakov to move to the strategic island of Malta. The admiral had to go to the shores of Naples and restore the power of King Ferdinand there.
However, the successes of the Russian fleet, as well as the brilliantly carried out land operations of A.V. during this campaign. Suvorov, did not bring diplomatic benefits. Emperor Paul made a sharp turn in politics, breaking the alliance with England and Austria and began negotiations on an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte. The next turn in Russian politics occurred on the night of March 12, 1801. Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich went out to the soldiers of the Semenovsky regiment guarding the Mikhailovsky Castle and said that his father had died of an apoplexy.
