People did not learn to fight on water at once.
At first, ships were used as just one of the means of transporting troops, and not as independent combat units. And the main task of the fleet was to deliver the army to the landing site. But this task was most important, since the transfer directly across the sea surface was much more effective than exhausting marches.
In Antiquity, ramming and boarding were the main methods of naval combat. But as navigation developed, ships became more complex.
The oars were replaced by the sail, and the sail was replaced by the propeller. Ships became more controllable, maneuvers more difficult, tactics more sophisticated. And by the late Middle Ages, the navy had become an integral attribute of any great power. In the future, a race began to build up armor and firepower - the oceans began to plow real floating fortresses. This competition reached its climax by the First World War, when monstrous dreadnoughts appeared, which still amaze the imagination. Wooden or armored, equipped with cannons or "Greek fire", the fleet has always fought not only with the enemy, but also with the elements. And therefore the demand from naval sailors has always been double. Today we bring you ten of the greatest naval battles in history.
Battle of Salamis (480 BC)
In 480 BC. e. the Persian king Xerxes began a new campaign against Greece. The Greeks failed to stop the enemy on land; after the defeat at Thermopylae, the inhabitants of Athens abandoned the city and fled to the island of Salamis. The strategist Themistocles argued that the only chance of victory was to give battle to the Persian fleet. In the narrow straits between the island and the mainland, the numerical advantage of the Persians (about 1000 ships versus about 400) was not decisive. But the Athenians and Spartans believed that this was an unjustified risk, and were going to continue to fight on land, defending the Isthmus of Corinth. Then Themistocles went for a trick. He sent his own slave to Xerxes, declaring that he wanted to go over to the side of the Persians and offered to attack immediately, since the Greeks were about to flee. Believing and determined to end the Greek fleet with one blow,Xerxes entered the straits and thereby deprived himself of all advantages. The formation of the Persian ships broke down, and the Greeks were just waiting for that. A terrible confusion ensued that completely demoralized the Persians. The trapped ships collided with oars, rammed each other and sank one after another. The Greeks, on the other hand, not only pounced on the enemies in the strait, but also, having taken a position in advance, finished off those fleeing at the exit from it. According to the most conservative estimates, the Greeks lost 40 ships in the battle, and the Persians - 200. This completely turned the tide of the war. Xerxes fled and the Greeks went on the offensive, winning one battle after another. The Greeks, on the other hand, not only pounced on the enemies in the strait, but also, having taken a position in advance, finished off those fleeing at the exit from it. According to the most conservative estimates, the Greeks lost 40 ships in the battle, and the Persians - 200. This completely turned the tide of the war. Xerxes fled and the Greeks went on the offensive, winning one battle after another. The Greeks, on the other hand, not only pounced on the enemies in the strait, but also, having taken a position in advance, finished off those fleeing at the exit from it. According to the most conservative estimates, the Greeks lost 40 ships in the battle, and the Persians - 200. This completely turned the tide of the war. Xerxes fled and the Greeks went on the offensive, winning one battle after another.
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Battle of Actium (31 BC)
September 2, 31 BC e. the question of the future of Rome was decided by two fleets in the Ambracian Gulf of the Ionian Sea. Under the command of one contender for power, Mark Antony, there were 220 heavy ships. Another 60 light Egyptian ships were brought by his beloved, the femme fatale of Antiquity, Cleopatra. The Roman fleet was commanded by the experienced Marcus Agrippa on behalf of Octavian Augustus. His 260 ships were significantly lighter, but fully manned by experienced, well-trained crews. Boarding units numbered about 34 thousand legionnaires. By and large, everything was in favor of Anthony. His ships were not afraid of ramming, it was difficult to board them because of the high sides, they could fire at the enemy from catapults mounted on special towers. But they could not accelerate to catch up with the light Roman ships,- the advantage of the maneuver was on the side of Agrippa. Gradually the Romans found the key - they attacked the hulking giants at once in whole "flocks", gradually capturing them one by one. And then Cleopatra with her ships, and after her and Antony, suddenly left the battlefield! Why this happened is not entirely clear, because the outcome was far from a foregone conclusion. But after their flight, the abandoned fleet had no chance. The panic was intensified by a rain of incendiary shells promptly rained down by Agrippa. The fleet was killed almost entirely, and only a few were able to surrender at the mercy of Octavian. Why this happened is not entirely clear, because the outcome was far from a foregone conclusion. But after their flight, the abandoned fleet had no chance. The panic was intensified by a rain of incendiary shells promptly rained down by Agrippa. The fleet was killed almost entirely, and only a few were able to surrender at the mercy of Octavian. Why this happened is not entirely clear, because the outcome was far from a foregone conclusion. But after their flight, the abandoned fleet had no chance. The panic was intensified by a rain of incendiary shells promptly rained down by Agrippa. The fleet was killed almost entirely, and only a few were able to surrender at the mercy of Octavian.
Battle of Sluis (1340)
Most of the Hundred Years War took place in France. However, first, the English archers had to get there by crossing the English Channel. Therefore, convenient harbors were the main strategic resource. One of them was Sleis, or Ecluse, in the territory of modern Belgium. But the French were the first to gain a foothold there in 1340. Edward III did not want to put up with this and, quickly gathering a squadron of 120 ships (mostly light), moved towards the French fleet. Most likely, the British would have been defeated alone, but about 100 more ships from the allied Flanders joined them in time. Nevertheless, the French retained the chances of victory - their 190 ships were heavier, they housed teams of Genoese crossbowmen, conducting heavy fire. Although England was not yet a great naval power by then,but the English skippers already knew the art of maneuver perfectly. Therefore, to begin with, they captured several large ships, throwing out the crossbowmen and placing their archers. And then they staged a real extermination of the opponents, taking them on board one by one. As a result of the battle, which lasted all day, about 18 thousand Frenchmen died. Subsequently, they joked gloomily: "Now the fish in the strait began to speak French." From that moment on, the British began to fully control the English Channel. The way to the continent was open to them, and the danger of a French landing was excluded. As a result of the battle, which lasted all day, about 18 thousand Frenchmen died. Subsequently, they joked gloomily: "Now the fish in the strait began to speak French." From that moment on, the British began to fully control the English Channel. The way to the continent was open to them, and the danger of a French landing was excluded. As a result of the battle, which lasted all day, about 18 thousand Frenchmen died. Subsequently, they joked gloomily: "Now the fish in the strait began to speak French." From that moment on, the British began to fully control the English Channel. The way to the continent was open to them, and the danger of a French landing was excluded.
Third Battle of Lepanto (1571)
By the second half of the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire was a real nightmare for the European powers. The Turks seemed invincible both on land and at sea, and more and more insistently claimed their right to de facto ownership of the entire Mediterranean. In the fall of 1571, after the Ottomans captured Cyprus, the largest fleet that Europe has ever seen gathered in the Ionian Sea. The Anti-Turkish Holy League, which included more than a dozen states, exhibited 206 galleys and 6 heavy galleases. But the Turks still felt more confident - they had about 230 galleys and fifty galiots. Nevertheless, the illegitimate son of Emperor Charles V, Juan of Austria, who commanded the European fleet, decided to launch an aggressive attack. He managed to correctly coordinate the movement of heavy and light ships, so that the attack was a united front. Among the Turks, the light galleys pushed too far ahead and did not receive support from the galiots. In addition, the Europeans had much larger and heavily armed boarding teams. The culmination of the battle was the death of the Turkish naval commander Ali Pasha Muedzinzadeh. His head was planted on a lance and lifted upward, causing panic. As a result, 107 Turkish ships were destroyed, and 117 more were captured. The Holy League lost about 9,000 people, and the Turks lost about 30,000. But most importantly, the myth of the invincibility of the Ottoman Empire was sent to the bottom.which caused panic. As a result, 107 Turkish ships were destroyed, and 117 more were captured. The Holy League lost about 9,000 people, and the Turks lost about 30,000. But most importantly, the myth of the invincibility of the Ottoman Empire was sent to the bottom.which caused panic. As a result, 107 Turkish ships were destroyed, and 117 more were captured. The Holy League lost about 9,000 people, and the Turks lost about 30,000. But most importantly, the myth of the invincibility of the Ottoman Empire was sent to the bottom.
Battle of Graveline (1588)
In May 1588, a Spanish fleet of 130 heavy warships, nicknamed the Invincible Armada, moved to the shores of England to ensure the crossing of a 30,000-strong army from Flanders. This was how the long-term rivalry between the two great powers should have ended. The British could put up to 230 ships against the Armada, but they were all much lighter and weaker. Before the general engagement at Graveline, minor skirmishes took place in the English Channel for several days. The British shot almost all their ammunition, but did not do much harm to the heavy galleons. But they managed to wear down the Spaniards and create a false impression of their huge numbers and combat effectiveness. On the night of August 7-8, the anchored Spanish fleet was attacked by several fire ships, which, although they did not cause any damage, forced them to break the formation and sow panic. Finally, on the morning of August 8, the British, under the command of Francis Drake, moved to the attack. The fight itself turned out to be surprisingly modest in scale. The English side lost only about 100 people. Spaniards - 600 people and two ships. But most importantly, their spirit was finally broken. The Spanish admiral Medina-Sidonia convinced himself that the enemy could not be defeated in this sector (although they just once again ran out of gunpowder). In desperation, he began to retreat, intending to round Britain from the north. But there he was already awaited by autumn storms, which put an end to the short history of the Invincible Armada. But most importantly, their spirit was finally broken. The Spanish admiral Medina-Sidonia convinced himself that the enemy could not be defeated in this sector (although they just once again ran out of gunpowder). In desperation, he began to retreat, intending to round Britain from the north. But there he was already awaited by autumn storms, which put an end to the short history of the Invincible Armada. But most importantly, their spirit was finally broken. The Spanish admiral Medina-Sidonia convinced himself that the enemy could not be defeated in this sector (although they just once again ran out of gunpowder). In desperation, he began to retreat, intending to round Britain from the north. But there he was already awaited by autumn storms, which put an end to the short history of the Invincible Armada.
Battle of Chesme (1770)
The main goal of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774 for Russia was to gain access to the Black Sea. But for this it was necessary to inflict a serious defeat on the Ottoman fleet, which remained one of the strongest in the world. In July 1770, two Russian squadrons under the command of Count Alexei Orlov met with the Turkish fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, off the western coast of Turkey. The forces were unequal: 9 battleships, 3 frigates, 1 bombardment ship and less than 20 light ships from the Russians; 16 battleships, 6 frigates, 13 galleys, 6 shebeks and 32 small ships from the Turks.
However, it was the Russians who played the first violin in the battle. After a day of confrontation in the Chios Strait, the Turks retreated to the Chesme Bay under the cover of coastal batteries. Count Orlov managed to properly organize the shelling, as a result of which one of the Turkish battleships exploded. The fire spread to other ships, and the Russians sent four more fire-ships there. As a result, almost all Turkish battleships were killed (one was captured) and frigates, small ships suffered huge losses, 11 thousand people died. The losses of the Russian side were only 20 people! In addition, 636 people were killed in the explosion of the Russian battleship Saint Eustathius Placis a day earlier in the Chios Strait. The victory at Chesme made it possible to control the Aegean Sea and the Dardanelles. Soon there was nothing left for Turkey,except to sign the Kyuchuk-Kainardzhiyskiy peace, which is very beneficial for Russia.
Battle of Trafalgar (1805)
At the beginning of the 19th century, the most powerful land force was the army of Napoleon Bonaparte. The sea was dominated by Great Britain, which was not going to obey the new ruler of Europe. Napoleon wanted to seize the initiative at sea in order to land troops on the shores of Foggy Albion. But the British did not allow entry into the English Channel and controlled the situation outside their territorial waters. As a result, the decisive battle took place on October 21, 1805 near the Spanish city of Cadiz. 27 battleships, 4 frigates and 2 sloops of the famous Admiral Horatio Nelson were opposed by a powerful Spanish-French fleet of 33 battleships, 5 frigates and 2 sloops under the command of Pierre de Villeneuve, who was not distinguished by great military talents.
Nelson skillfully took advantage of the weather and abandoned the traditional linear tactics, building his ships in two columns. As a result, he received an advantageous position for shelling enemy ships. The training of the British gunners played an important role - they responded with three for each volley. French and Spanish ships were captured one after another. Only one was sunk. At the same time, losses in manpower reached almost 4500 people. The British lost 449 people killed. One of them was Nelson himself, shot down by a sniper, but managed to hear the news of the victory. Britain confirmed its status as ruler of the seas, and Napoleon had to abandon plans to invade the island.
Battle of Jutland (1916)
The confrontation between the British and German fleets during the First World War was one of the main intrigues. Everyone wanted to see what would happen when these two masses come together in a general battle. The parties exchanged provocations and set up ingenious traps for years. And on May 31, 1916, the two fleets finally met in the Skagerrak Strait off the coast of Jutland. The Germans brought almost 100 ships there, of which 16 were dreadnought battleships. The British had the advantage: 151 ships, including 24 dreadnoughts and four high-speed battleships. Because of such a gigantic scale, the battle went on all day and did not stop at night. In the beginning, the British had a hard time, but then they were able to turn the tide, and in the end, after difficult maneuvers and the exchange of tons of shells, the German fleet was forced to withdraw. Nevertheless, the losses of Great Britain turned out to be more significant: 14 ships were sunk, including three battleships, more than 5,500 people died. This gave the Germans, who lost only 11 ships (1 battleship) and a little more than 2000 people, a reason to call themselves victors.
June 2 was even declared a national holiday in Germany, and the survivors were generously showered with awards. The British, however, rightly pointed out that the German battleships were unable to break the blockade and establish their control over the North Sea. Nevertheless, many in Britain were unhappy that the German fleet was not completely defeated. Commander John Jellicoe was even accused of cowardice.
Battle of Midway (1942)
The Japanese conceived the attack on the American base on the Midway Atoll as a "second Pearl Harbor", relying on surprise. However, American intelligence worked perfectly, and carefully prepared for the attack. As a result, Admiral Yamamoto's fleet was attacked on the way, albeit without much results. The main striking force was 4 aircraft carriers carrying 248 aircraft. In the battle they were covered by 17 ships. The Americans, on the other hand, put forward 3 aircraft carriers with 223 carrier-based aircraft, accompanied by 15 destroyers, 8 cruisers and 16 submarines to support their base. An additional 127 aircraft were based on the atoll. Despite the fact that this battle is called a sea battle, the main combat operations were carried out in the air. From 3 to 6 June, the sides exchanged bomber raids and fighter strikes without engaging in an artillery duel. This set new standards for war at sea. Despite the fact that the base on Midway was seriously damaged, the Americans still succeeded. All four Japanese aircraft carriers, as well as one heavy cruiser, were sunk, 248 aircraft were destroyed, and about 2,500 people were killed. About 50 more ships in the face of the defeat of the squadron turned around and retreated without engaging in battle. Japan was unable to recover after that. The American fleet lost one aircraft carrier (although it was sunk after the battle, while being towed to Pearl Harbor), one destroyer, 150 aircraft and only 307 personnel. Japan was unable to recover after that. The American fleet lost one aircraft carrier (although it was sunk after the battle, while being towed to Pearl Harbor), one destroyer, 150 aircraft and only 307 personnel. Japan was unable to recover after that. The American fleet lost one aircraft carrier (although it was sunk after the battle, while being towed to Pearl Harbor), one destroyer, 150 aircraft and only 307 personnel.
Battle of Leyte Gulf (1944)
The battle for the Philippine Islands in October 1944 is considered the largest naval battle in history. For Japan, this was the last chance to seize the initiative in the war. They were ready to lose the entire fleet in one battle, but not to let the Americans into the Philippines. By that time, Japanese aviation had practically ceased to exist, so kamikaze were first used in this battle. In total, the Japanese had about 200 aircraft, 4 aircraft carriers, 9 battleships, 19 cruisers and 34 destroyers. The Americans had a global advantage: 34 aircraft carriers of various classes, 10 battleships, 9 cruisers, several submarines, 141 destroyers and an escort ship. About 1,500 aircraft could take off into the air. But the Japanese did not allow themselves to be dealt with easily. Heavy artillery fire and kamikaze attacks sent three American aircraft carriers and three escort ships to the bottom. At the same time, both sides made significant mistakes - the Americans clearly underestimated the enemy's forces, and the Japanese allowed inconsistency in the actions of their ships. But the decisive factor was still aviation.
This battle finally proved that without air support, even the most powerful artillery ships cannot effectively resist aircraft carriers. The Japanese lost 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, 8 cruisers, 12 destroyers and more than 10 thousand people. They never again planned operations at sea. The Americans were provided with a foothold in the Philippines, which opened the way to the end of the war.