A 1770 naval battle saw a Russian fleet annihilate the Ottoman navy in a single night
The 1770 Battle of Chesma began a multi-day naval engagement where a vastly outnumbered Russian fleet utilized innovative fire-ship tactics to completely destroy the primary naval power of the Ottoman Empire.
In July 1770, the Russian and Ottoman empires clashed in the Aegean Sea during the pivotal Battle of Chesma. Although the Ottoman fleet held a significant numerical advantage, the Russians cornered them in a narrow bay. Using a daring strategy, the Russians launched 'fire-ships'—vessels packed with explosives and combustibles—directly into the anchored Ottoman line.
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