Claims that British advice deliberately left the Ottoman squadron vulnerable overlook its readiness problem. Sinop lacked the supplies and facilities to restore the heavier ships, while their crews still needed training. Holding those vessels back allowed modernization and repair to continue while frigate service built personnel experience for later transfer into the ships of the line. The plan was logical and Ottoman-led despite using British advice, but it rested on the mistaken calculation that the harbor forts could deter a Russian attack.
Notable Point · 36:25-38:12
Why Ottoman ships of the line stayed away from Sinop
Keeping unready ships of the line out of Sinop followed a coherent modernization plan, not necessarily a plot to expose the frigates.