The force initially blockading Sinop centered on the 84-gun ships Imperatritsa Maria, Chesma, and Rostislav. Nakhimov sent a frigate back toward Crimea for reinforcements after locating the Ottoman squadron. The resulting concentration brought together three 84-gun and three 120-gun ships of the line, supported by frigates and armed steamers. A technical caveat comes before the fleet total: a nominal gun figure can refer to ports pierced rather than weapons actually carried, an unresolved issue for the Ottoman 72-gun frigate. Using the listed Russian figures produces a total of roughly 722 guns across the assembled force. That concentration transformed a blockade the Ottomans had initially considered weak into an overwhelming firepower advantage over their anchored frigates.
Chapter · 48:03-50:21
The Russian fleet concentration at Sinop
Nakhimov began with three 84-gun ships, summoned reinforcements, and assembled six ships of the line plus frigates and steamers.