CRIMEAN WAR - The Aftermath of Destruction of the Turkish Fleet at the Battle of Sinope. Lieutenant Theophilus Moultrie Kelsall, Royal Navy (1831-1911) Autograph letter signed, seven sides including three crosswritten, 8vo, January 9th 1854, HMS Trafalgar on the Bosphorous, to his sister [Ellen].

Excerpts include 'I wrote to you last on the eve of sailing our cruise in the Black Sea a trip which I am glad we did not miss. We were the first English or French line of Battleships that had ever entered the Russian Lake so our visit will be an era in history. The two fleets were consisting of 10 English and 8 French liners with a large number of powerful steamers forming a force that Nelson never had under his command so Dundas [Admiral, Commander of the Naval Fleet] an unworthy substitute ought to be very proud of his present commands. I should think that the Russian fleet would have been very sorry to have fallen in with us with any hostile views ...

Our destination was Sinope the scene of a proud massacre the Russians with a superior force entirely destroying the unfortunate Turkish fleet laying there at anchor. The Turks from what we can understand from the survivors fought desperately and when all hope was at an end several of their commanders blew their ships up a patriotic deed by their ideas no crime saving fatalities and they believe to be a quick and sure way to heaven. More than 2000 met their end so panic stricken have all the inhabitants been that although weeks had elapsed since the action everything had remained untouched. No attempts were made to save guns or other valuables and when I was ashore I witnessed a strange proof of their vivid remembrance of that horrible slaughter.

The Flag ship fired a salute and as soon as the first gun went off the people in the streets shouted and ran in all directions the dogs were equally affected howling and barking. The child who had been standing near me with a bundle in its hand dropped it and ran away crying. The beach was a singular sight being lined for miles with fragments of wrecks and sad mounds of the dead with pieces of wreck as a headstone for their bodies were washed up whilst we were there some being brought up to the surface by our saluting guns ...

We are now nearly expecting the declaration of war but do not expect to do anything till the winter breaks up for we know Odessa to be frozen in so we suppose Sevastopol to be also and reports say that the place is too strong to be taken without troops. I am selfish enough to wish for war for I know it to be the only chance of accelerating my promotion. We now no longer talk of going home for we shall never get away till the war is over the ship being seaworthy so the sooner the evil comes and is over the better.'

Notes: This one-sided battle, which left the Russians victorious and resulted in over 3000 Turkish dead, contributed as a precursor to the French and British entering the war. The Russian navy had recently adopted naval artillery that fired explosive shells, which gave them a decisive advantage in the battle.

Theophilus Moultrie Kelsall was the son of Napoeolenic War naval veteran, John Theophilus Kelsall.

Theophilius' service includes the following:
HMS President - 2nd December 1846 - 6th February 1849 (As Naval Cadet and Midshipman)
HMS Rattler - 18th February 1849 - 15th April 1851
HMS Trafalgar - 9th December 1852 - 14th April 1955 (Mediterranean and Black Sea Fleet, including Crimea Service)
HMS Spiteful - 15th May 1855 - 2nd September 1855 (Made Lieutenant in August 1855, Mediterranean)
HMS Arachne - 23rd October 1855 - 27th November 1855 (North America and West Indies)
HMS Horatio - 10th January 1856 - 12th May 1856 (Sheerness)
HMS Cressy - 13th May 1856 - 14th May 1856 (Mediterranean and St. Petersburg)
HMS Cumberland - 17th September 1858 - 17th August 1859 (South-Eastern Coast of America)
HMS Weser - 18th October 1859 - 26th January 1860 (Mediterranean)
HMS Alecto - 27th January 1860 - 25th June 1862 (West Africa)
HMS Phoebe - 26th September 1862 - 29th June 1866 (Made Commander 11th April 1866, Mediterranean)
Coast Guard Commander - 29th June 1870 - 13th October 1873 (Ramsgate)