Sultan Abdulmejid I ordered an offensive in part to demonstrate Ottoman strength before negotiations while the empire’s finances were deteriorating. The operation in the Caucasus depended on maritime supply, but financial strain and Black Sea winter weather pushed Osman Pasha’s squadron into Sinop. Russian patrols searched for the convoy, capturing two older Ottoman steamers as dwindling funds constrained Ottoman operations. Nakhimov found Osman’s force on 23 November with only three 84-gun ships available and sent his frigate to fetch support. Reinforcements arrived on 30 November, while Osman trusted the apparently strong harbor and even allowed many sailors ashore. The forts presented interlocking fields of fire, but their old and poorly maintained cannon made that protection much less formidable than it appeared.
Chapter · 47:07-52:53
From Ottoman supply convoy to Russian blockade
An Ottoman convoy wintering at Sinop was found and lightly blockaded until Nakhimov received enough reinforcements to attack.