MERKURII

[aukepalmhof]

This stamps shows the flush decked brig of the Russian Imperial Navy MERKURII against two Turkish ship-of-the-lines the BURUC-U-ZAFER? and SELIMIYE. The stamp is designed after a painting made by the Russian artist Ivan Aivazovsky (1817-1900) He made this painting in 1892, 50 years after the battle which took place on 14 May 1829. If the ships are in the correct position or has the artist used some imagination?, on the painting the small Russian brig sandwiched between the two large ships-of-the-line has not any chance to survive this battle.

Built by shipbuilder I.Y.Osminin at Sevastopol, Black Sea for the Imperial Russian Navy.
28 January 1819 keel laid down.
07 May 1820 launched as the MERKURII (Mercury).
Displacement 445 tons, dim. 96.8 x 30.10 x 13ft.
Armament 2 – 6pdrs, 16/18 – 24 pdr. carronades.

After completing cruised in the Black Sea in 1820-1827.
14 May 1829 under command of Lieutenant Commander A. Kazarsky in company with the frigate SHTANDART and brig ORFEI near the entrance of the Bosporus they were intercepted by a Turkish squadron of 6 ships of the line and supporting frigates.
The stamps shows us three ships, in the middle the MERKURII, while the two Turkish ships are most probably the SELIMIYE (built 1809,128 guns three decker) on the left and the BURUC-U ZAFER (built in 1815, 74 guns) two decker on the right A lot of sources give the REAL BEY is on the right but not any Turkish warship carried that name at that time.
The SHTANDART and ORFEI escaped, but the MERKURII a slow sailer during calm weather came in reach of the Turkish vessels
Around 15.00 the Turkish ship fired the first shots.
The only way the MERKURII could safe her self was by good seamanship and accuracy of her gunners.
The MERKURII skilfully manoeuvring and also use oars escaped much damage, the enemy in pursuit could only use their chaser guns, but when the wind freshened the Turkish ships gained on the brig, and when the SELIMIYE got on the same height of the MERKURII she blasted away a broadside, but the MERKURII dropped behind and most of the shots missed. The battle raged on for 3 hours.
When the MERKURII escaped from the Turkish vessels she had 4 men killed and 6 wounded, was 22 times hit in her hull, her spars got 16 hits while her sails got 133 gun holes and her rigging was hit 148 times.
During this battle MERKURII had eighteen 24 pdr. carronades and three long barrelled 8 pounder guns, which could be moved to the stern.
For this battle the MEKURII received the Georgian Cross.
After repair she returned to active duty in the Black Sea.
In 1830-31 she cruised in the waters off the Caucasus.
1837/38 Was she repaired.
1839/53 Cruised in the Black Sea.
1854/56 Stationed in Nikolaev.
Broken up after 1857.

Have not any information on the two Turkish vessels.

Burundi 2012 3000F sg?, scott?
Guinea 2012 (in margin of the MS.) (The vessels in the sheet shows TITANIC THE aircraft carrier HMS COLOSSUS of 1943 and a fregat or destroyer)
Central African Republic 2012 400F sg?, scott?

Source: Russian Warships in the age of Sail 1696-1860 by Tredrea & Sozaev. Internet.

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[Anatol]

"Brig" Mercury ", after the victory two Turkish ships meeted with the Russian squadron in the morning ." - So called Russian painter Aivazovsky his painting.
Centrafricane 2015;1200f;SG?

[Anatol]

The battle of brig Mercury with Turkish battleships May 14,1829.
Solomon Islands 2015;8d;SG?