"On the Eve of Chesma. When Things Don't Go as Planned" Topic

"In my last article , I described in detail the voyage of the squadrons of G.A. Spiridov and D. Elphinstone from the Baltic to the Mediterranean in 1769-1770. This voyage proved extremely difficult for a fleet unprepared for long-distance voyages , and given the hostility of France and its ally Spain, it would have been completely impossible without British assistance.

The British sought to use the Russian fleet as a force capable of disrupting French trade with the Levant and damaging France's prestige in the eyes of the Turks, which had pushed the Ottoman Porte into war with Russia. They provided our Baltic squadrons with everything they needed, including repairs in British shipyards, not only in Spithead and Portsmouth, but also in Port Mahon (Minorca). Our ships desperately needed this after the voyage from Copenhagen to the English coast, and then from English ports to the Mediterranean.

Moreover, the British made several demonstrative movements of their fleets and assured the Spanish and French that "refusal to allow the Russians to enter the Mediterranean would be considered a hostile act directed against England." Translated from diplomatic language, the British threatened Versailles and Madrid with a declaration of war if anything happened to the Russian squadrons due to their fault…"

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Armand