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Sir John Thomas Duckworth's action in the Dardanelles, 19 February 1807, early 19th century (oil painting)
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Sir John Thomas Duckworth's action in the Dardanelles, 19 February 1807, early 19th century (oil painting)
7337711 Sir John Thomas Duckworth's action in the Dardanelles, 19 February 1807, early 19th century (oil painting) by Whitcombe, Thomas (1760-1824); 81.6x112.1 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Thomas Whitcombe
The good relations between Britain and the Ottoman Court following the Battle of the Nile were so eroded that by 1806 war was in the air. Strategically the Dardanelles was of great importance, as it commanded the approach to Constantinople from the Mediterranean. Although the passage of the strait was easily defended, in 1807 the English admiral Sir John Duckworth made his way past all the fortresses into the Sea of Marmora. When affairs in Constantinople required the presence of a naval force Duckworth was detached there with five ships. He was instructed to safeguard the British ambassador, Charles Arbuthnot. He was also to require Ottoman compliance with British demands, by anchoring close off the city. He was to open fire if he did not receive satisfaction within half an hour. Duckworth carried out his orders as far as he was able and forced the Dardanelles on 19 February 1807. He sailed through with seven ships of the line and some smaller vessels, and silenced the forts at Sestos and Abydos, destroying some Turkish ships. He ran the gauntlet of the Turkish batteries which included some medieval fixed bombards firing stone shot of up to 800lbs. Miraculously no serious damage was sustained, the casualties were six killed and 51 injured He anchored opposite Constantinople, threatening to bombard it. However without the appropriate troops a landing was pointless and he realized that the Turks were stalling him while strengthening their defences. Sir John failed to make the Turks accede to his demands although he recognised that the Dardanelles would be harder to re-pass. On 3 March he audaciously sailed back through the Dardanelles and sustaining heavier casualties than on his way in.); © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Media ID 38431066
© © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning oil painting captures the daring action of Sir John Thomas Duckworth in the Dardanelles on 19 February 1807. The strategic importance of this location, commanding the approach to Constantinople from the Mediterranean, made it a crucial battleground during this time. Despite facing formidable Turkish fortresses and medieval fixed bombards firing massive stone shot, Duckworth managed to lead his fleet through the narrow strait into the Sea of Marmora.
His mission was to safeguard British interests in Constantinople and ensure Ottoman compliance with British demands. Anchoring close off the city, he threatened to open fire if satisfaction was not received within half an hour. Although he successfully passed through initially with minimal casualties, he soon realized that a landing in Constantinople would be futile without appropriate troops.
Despite failing to make the Turks accede to his demands, Duckworth displayed remarkable courage and determination as he navigated back through the treacherous Dardanelles on 3 March. This painting by Thomas Whitcombe beautifully captures this historic moment when Sir John Thomas Duckworth defied all odds and left a lasting mark on naval history with his audacious actions in one of the most challenging maritime environments of his time.
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