Battle of Lemnos 1807 (Battle of Afon)
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 2:18 pm
LEMNOS. Fought on 19 June 1807 in which a Russian fleet under Admiral Dmitril Nikolaevich Seniavin defeated a Turkish fleet. it is also sometimes called the Battle of Afon in Russian naval histories (also known as Battle of Mt. Athos). At this time Turkey was the nominal ally of Napoleon. The illustration for this stamp is a redrawn details from an oil on canvas painting by I Shestakov done in 1914, titled 'Battle of Aton', now at the Frunze Naval Museum in St Petersburg. An illustration of the full painting is in the Russian book 'Admiral D N Seniavin' by A L Shapiro, page 246. A diagram used as a basis for the painting may also be used to identify the three ships on the stamps The Russian ships attacked in pairs, with Admiral Seniavin's flagship, TVERDIY (centre ship on the stamp) being supported by the SKOROI (right ships on the stamp) Fire from the TVERDIY drove the Turkish flagship SEDD UL-BAHIR (left ship on the stamp) out of action with 230 men killed and 160 wounded. She eventually surrendered to the Russians - Russia 1987. 4.30k. Min Sht. SG (K R Berry) Sg5826