Black Sea 1915

[Joe R]

From a Turkish language site on the internet (yes,I know), two ships were sunk by
Russian surface vessels on 7 March 1915. The 2 ships were the AZIMET #23 and the
SELAMET #25 ferry boats owned by Sirket-i Hariye but requisitioned by the Turkish
Navy. Which Russian craft destroyed them, where sunk and any other ships in this
convoy? I'm assuming they were together when sunk.

Also, Gazze, a Turkish ship was sunk on 5 May 1915. I can not find any thing on this ship.
Could some esteemed member(s) of this forum help me, please.

Respectfully
Joe R

[Urs Heßling]

hi,

From 5th to 9th March. the Russian Black Sea Fleet conducted a full scale raid with all available ships (battleships, cruisers, destroyers) against the Ottoman Black sea coast, especially Zonguldak.

greetings, Urs

[Joe R]

Moin Urs, DANKE for taking the time to answer my query. I was tickled that a noted scholar on
WWII German S Boats from THE German forum would answer me. Unfortunately, it didn't help.
I'll rephrase my question. Which one or two Russian ships were responsible for sinking the two
Turkish ferry boats?
Respectfully,

Joe R

[Istanbul]

Your question is very simply to answer, because neither of the two mentioned ferries were sank by the Russians.

Regards,
Istanbul

[Joe R]

Istanbul, copied verbatim from Turkish site,
25 SELAMET: In 1870, England, Maudslay 50ns & paddle steamer as was done in the Fields passenger bench.
Was 109 gross tons, the boat was wooden. Length of 31.7 meters, width of 5.4 meters,the water sector was
the 2.3metr. Maudslay made were compound 90 horsepower two-cylinder steam engine.It entered service in 1870.
If in 1002, decommissioned in 1915, it was included in the squad again. Black Sea by a Russian destroyer of emrindeyk 7 March1915, the Navy Eregli have sunk in front of them. It was 45 years technique.

Thanks to google translate. Again Verbatim with translation errors.

Would you conclude that this is a reliable Site? Or have I misinterpreted the English translation?

Respectfully,

Joe R

[Istanbul]

I can`t conclude if this site is reliable, but in the mentioned case it isn`t by far. The vessel which sank was a small sailing vessel of abt. 50 tons with the same name. I have the full report of the German Korvettenkapitän Freese of the bombardement in my archive.

Again a fine example for those who are compiling web sites without studying original documents, copying only what they possibly find in other "second hand" sources and very often having no knowledge at all.

Regards,
Istanbul

[Joe R]

Thanks for that data. Now, how did those two ferries meet their end? Let me take a guess.
Both sunk in a collision. Both sunk in a storm. Scuttled at the appearance of German destroyer,
Both mined. Sunk because of internal explosions. I'm delighted to see that you're very amenable to
sharing the extensive knowledge you have acquired. Looking forward to your reply.

Respectfully,

Joe R

[Istanbul]

Thank you very much for your answer and the "kind" words. Please be assured that I can read between the lines and have already understood your comments. To conclude, here are my informations about the two vessels:

AZİMET:
14.07.1870: arrived at İstanbul from London 24.07.1870: No. 23 – AZİMET Şirket-i Hayriye, İstanbul 1911: out of service .02.1915: No. 23 – AZİMET Şirket-i Hayriye, İstanbul © Osmanlı Bahriye –transport- .11.1918: returned to Şirket-i Hayriye, İstanbul and out of service 1919: sold for demolition at İstanbul

SELAMET:
delivered as No. 25 – SELAMET Şirket-i Hayriye, İstanbul pre-04.08.1870: arrived at İstanbul from London 1870: renumbered as No. 24 – SELAMET because of sale of No. 24 - İHSAN 1911: out of service, not commissioned in 1914-1918 and not mentioned as broken up in 1919.

Wishing good success for your further researches.

Istanbul

[Joe R]

Istanbul,
Thank you for taking the time to answer. Much obliged.
So it appears that both ships survived the war without a scratch or bruise. The
"fog of war" is a real curse to history. But moving on.

GAZZE a Turk ship was sunk on 5 May 1915. Do you have specifications for that ship?
Builder,year built, etc.? Thanks again for your help.

Respectfully,

Joe R

[Istanbul]

I personaly don`t think that SELAMET was in existence anymore when WW I commenced. Possibly broken up between 1911-1914.

[Joe R]

Gazze=Selamet?? Or maybe I missed something.

Joe R

[Istanbul]

No, Selamet was not Gazze. I am still working on Gazze history.

[Joe R]

From an old thread posted by Igorr on Warsailors.com titled Re: Ships sunk by Russian Naval Forces in the Black Sea 1914-1917. dated January 28 2010.

"22.4.15 GNEVNYI and PRONZITELNYI sunk in Eregli 2 steamships KYZYLYRMAK and GUZEL GIRIT and one between
Eregli and Kozlu (MORNA)." Note: Date is Old Julian Calendar and equals 5.5.15.

DUKE of PORTLAND ON 08892 built in 1891 by Grangemouth Dockyard Co. UK Yard No.137
1533 GRT. 1897 London & Edindurgh Shipping Co, Leith renamed MORNA. November 1914 seized by Turkey. Sunk on 5.5.1915.

Note: Yesilirmak sunk on 5.05.1915 Kyzylyrmak sunk on 15.09.1915

I have not been able to find one word on Gazze.

My comment: Confusing is not the word to describe the naval history in the Black Sea, the word is mind numbing.

Respectfully
Joe R