For the Turkish side, Nusret
is the symbol of the Wars of Dardanelles. With its twenty-six mines, it stopped the Allied
Fleet, puzzled the allied commanders, boosted the morels of the Turkish soldiers, and
brought joy to the Turkish nation.
After the wars have ended,
the heroic story of Nusret became a legend. Today, it took its place in books of legends.
"The night of 17 March" in the most of the records, the venture of Nusret
begins. Although the date is incorrect, to emphasise the dramatic sides the mission it
achieved, this date is commonly mentioned. In fact, venture of Nusret begins beforehand,
with its arrival to the strait on 3 September 1914. |
A photograph of Nusret Minelayer from Teoman
Erbay archive
|
It was constructed in Germany and it was able
to manoeuvre in the narrows skilfully. Thus, it was able to pass the minefields safely.
| Identification of Nusret is
as follows: |
| Type |
: Minelayer |
| Built in |
: Germany |
| Tonnage |
: 360T |
| Date of Arrival |
: 1912 |
| Length |
: 40 m. |
| Width |
: 7,4 m. |
| Guns |
: 7,5/40-battery (1), 4,7-battery (2), and 2 mk.
5b. |
| Speed |
: 15 miles |
| Taken out of Service |
: 16.06.1957 |
Consequence:
From February 1915 until March, the strongest fleet of the world came to the Dardanelles
and began to bombard the forts positioned on both sides of the strait. Reconnaissance
planes determined the mines and minesweepers neutralised the strait for a safe passage
through the strait. The mines that Nusret has previously laid were cleaned as well.
All these preparations have shown that the most powerful armada of the world would be
forcing the Dardanelles in a short period. Thereupon, with a German officer's advice,
Turkish headquarters have decided to lay last twenty-six mines of Nusret, parallel to the
Asiatic shore.
Commander of the Fortified Area Selahattin Adil in his memories says:
"It was obvious, the enemy would be attacking within few days. Therefore, German
Admiral Menter Pasha advised that to lay the last spared mines. He was responsible of
Navigation. He was an experienced soldier and a nice person. We assigned Nusret to lay
those mines."
Henceforth, Commander of the Fortified Area Cevat Pasha assigned Captain Hakki Bey in
command of Nusret. On the night of 7 March, he sailed for this significant task. Captain
Hafiz Nazmi (Akpinar) was also in Nusret, that night for the pilotage.
On the night of 7 March few minutes after midnight, Nusret left Canakkale. In a complete
silence and darkness, it slipped down through the previously laid mines. With the help of
pilot Captain Nazmi, it advanced through Karanlik Liman and laid its only twenty-six mines
parallel to the Asiatic shore. After it has completed the mission, with in same silence
and darkness, returned to Canakkale. That night, Nusret drew the fate of the war.
The next day, the ally planes reconnoitred the strait, but somehow, they did not see the
mines. They have reported that the strait is neutral. The pilot who gave that report had
been executed by shooting on the day after The Naval Attack.
March 18 is one of the most significant victory days of the Turkish history. The success
of Nusret Minelayer in this victory is evident. Winston Churchill defines those twenty-six
mines as the reason for the prolonging of the war and the enormous casualties, in the
interview he made with "Revue de Paris," in 1930.
By the year 2000, Nusret is anchored in Mersin. Many volunteers and societies are trying
to save it from sinking. It desperately needs any donation, to be saved from the destinies
of Yavuz and Midilli.
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