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{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Action of 10 May 1915
| partof            = [[World War I]]
| image             = 
| caption           = 
| date              = 10 May 1915
| place             = [[Black Sea]], 25 miles from the [[Bosphorus]]
| territory         = 
| result            = Indecisive
*Russian operations disrupted
| status            = 
| combatant1        = {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Russia_(1914-1917).svg}} [[Russian Empire]]
| combatant2        = {{flag|Ottoman Empire}}
| combatant3        = 
| commander1        = {{flagicon|Russian Empire|naval}} [[Andrei Eberhardt]]
| commander2        = {{flagicon|Ottoman Empire|naval}}{{flagicon|German Empire|naval}} [[Richard Ackermann]]
| commander3        = 
| strength1         = 5 [[pre-dreadnought battleship]]s
| strength2         = 1 [[battlecruiser]]
| strength3         = 
| casualties1       = None
| casualties2       = 1 battlecruiser lightly damaged
| casualties3       = 
| notes             = 
| campaignbox       = {{Black Sea naval campaign of World War I}}
}}

The '''action of 10 May 1915''', or '''Battle of the Bosporus''', was a naval encounter between the [[Russian Empire|Russian]] [[pre-dreadnought]] squadron and the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[battlecruiser]] [[SMS Goeben|''Yavuz Sultan Selim'']]  in the [[Black Sea]], north of the [[Bosporus]]. After a brief exchange of fire the Ottomans withdrew. The battle took place during the main operation of the Black Sea Fleet aimed at shelling the Bosporus fortifications. The action of the battlecruiser led to the interruption of the operation, but it did not manage to inflict significant damage to the Russian fleet, suffering only minor damage itself.

==Background==
After the outbreak of hostilities between Russia and the [[Ottoman Empire]] on 29 October 1914, naval operations in the Black Sea primarily involved shelling coastal targets and laying mines.<ref>{{Harvard citation text|Langensiepen|Güleryüz|1995|pp=44-46}}</ref> The core of the Russian fleet in this area consisted of five outdated battleships of the pre-dreadnought generation, each armed with four 305 mm guns, except for the weaker ''Rostislav'' with 254 mm guns. The main adversary of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was the German battlecruiser ''Goeben'', which, after [[Pursuit of Goeben and Breslau|breaking through to Constantinople]] along with the cruiser ''[[SMS Breslau|Breslau]]'', was formally incorporated into the Ottoman navy as ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'', although it was still known in practice by its original name. It significantly surpassed each of the Russian ships existing at the beginning of the war in terms of speed, armor, and artillery, which included 10 guns of 28 cm caliber,<ref group="note">The Germans specified the caliber of the guns in centimeters; the actual caliber was 283 mm. ({{Cite web |last=DiGiulian |first=Tony |title=Germany 28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50 |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_11-50_skc09.php |access-date=2017-05-16 |website=navweaps.com}})</ref> with a higher rate of fire than the Russian heavy guns. This forced the Russians to operate in groups consisting of at least three battleships to equalize the odds in artillery combat.<ref>{{Harvard citation text|Gribowskij|1996|pp=21, 24}}</ref> Additionally, due to the older construction of the Russian battleships, each hit could have serious consequences for them, especially in long-range duels, when steeply falling shells could penetrate the deck.<ref>{{Harvard citation text|Gribowskij|1996|p=25}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=24}}</ref> The first inconclusive battle between the Black Sea Fleet and the ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' occurred on 18 November 1914, [[Battle of Cape Sarych|near Cape Sarych]], in which both sides' ships suffered damage.<ref name=":1">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=16}}</ref>

Parallel to the start of the [[Naval operations in the Dardanelles campaign|Dardanelles Campaign]] by the Western [[Triple Entente|Entente]] powers, the Russian command ordered demonstrative actions to divert the attention of the Ottomans, including shelling positions and a possible local landing in the Bosporus area.<ref name=":1" /> To this end, on 28 March, 25 April, 2 May, and 3 May 1915, the Black Sea Fleet shelled Ottoman fortifications north of the Bosporus, also using [[Seaplane|seaplanes]] carried by base ships in the action.<ref name=":2">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=17}}</ref><ref group="note">According to {{Harvard citation text|Langensiepen|Güleryüz|1995|p=47|ref=none}}, the last shelling of the Bosporus took place on May 1st and 2nd; there is no information there about shelling on April 25th.</ref> However, these actions did not lead to significant damage.<ref name=":3">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=19}}</ref> On May 6, Russian ships returned to the base in Sevastopol after the final raid, during which 10 Ottoman ships (including 4 steamers) were sunk, seriously disrupting Ottoman coal transport, and an Italian ship carrying [[London Declaration concerning the Laws of Naval War|contraband]] was seized.<ref name=":2" /><ref group="note">On May 1–5, 1915, the steamers ''Necat'' (1523 BRT), ''Yeşilirmak'' (865 BRT), ''Güzel Girit'' (1232 BRT), ''Morna'' (1495 BRT) were sunk, and the ''Amalia'' (413 BRT) was captured. ({{Harvard citation text|Langensiepen|Güleryüz|1995|p=41|ref=none}})</ref> On the same day (May 6), the best ships available to the Ottomans were sent on a raid into the Black Sea: ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' and the cruisers ''[[SMS Breslau|Midilli]]'' and ''[[Ottoman cruiser Hamidiye|Hamidiye]]''.<ref name=":2" /> On the morning of May 8, ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' sailed along the coast of Crimea, but there were no encounters with the Russian fleet or shipping, nor was there any shelling of the coast due to limited ammunition supplies.<ref>{{Harvard citation text|Langensiepen|Güleryüz|1995|p=47}}</ref> The Ottoman ships then returned to port by evening.<ref name=":4">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=18}}</ref>

Around noon on May 8, the main Russian ships left Sevastopol but encountered no enemy.<ref name=":4" /> Therefore, the main forces of the Black Sea Fleet set out in the afternoon for another operation to shell Ottoman positions and raid with light forces in the Ottoman coal basin around [[Zonguldak]]. The Russian squadron consisted of 5 battleships, 2 [[Protected cruiser|protected cruisers]], an unarmored [[aircraft cruiser]] (''[[Russian cruiser Almaz|Almaz]]''), 15 destroyers (7 of them modern, with turbine propulsion), 6 naval trawlers (converted steamships), and the [[Seaplane tender|seaplane carrier]] ''Imperator Aleksandr I'' with 5 seaplanes (3 Curtiss and 2 [[Grigorovich M-5|M-5]]).<ref name=":4" />

On 9 May 1915, a Russian squadron (including the cruiser ''[[Oczakow (cruiser)|Kagul]]'' and the destroyer ''Biespokojnyj'') attacked Ottoman shipping between [[Kozlu, Zonguldak|Kozlu]] and [[Karadeniz Ereğli|Eregli]], sinking four steamers and many sailing ships.<ref name= halpern>{{cite book| last = Halpern| first = Paul G.| title = A Naval History of World War I| publisher = Naval Institute Press| date = 11 October 2012|chapter=Chapter 8: The Black Sea| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wK4_6LF60GsC| isbn = 9781612511726}}</ref> The cruiser ''Pamiat' Mierkurija'' and the destroyer ''Dierzkij'' shelled the port of [[Karadeniz Ereğli|Ereğli]], causing fires and sinking one ship.<ref group="note">During the raid on May 9, the ship ''Selanik'' (with 1127 [[Gross tonnage|GT]]) was heavily damaged, and it remained unrepaired for the rest of the war. Additionally, the ship ''Sadiç'' (763 GT) was damaged, and while attempting to escape, it ran aground. In the port of Ereğli, the ship ''Millet'' (812 GT) was sunk. ({{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=19|ref=none}}, {{Harvard citation text|Langensiepen|Güleryüz|1995|pp=47-48|ref=none}})</ref> The Russians also attempted to land a sabotage group from a motorboat towed by a boat to cause damage in the port, but they had to retreat (without casualties) due to rifle fire.<ref name=":3" />

The battlecruiser [[SMS Goeben|''Yavuz Sultan Selim'']], under Captain Richard Ackermann, immediately put to sea in order to intercept the Russians. Early on the morning of 10 May, a bombardment force detached from the Russian squadron in order to attack the [[Bosphorus]] forts. This consisted of the obsolete [[pre-dreadnought]]s {{ship|Russian battleship|Tri Sviatitelia||2}} and [[Russian battleship Potemkin|'' Panteleimon'']], the [[seaplane carrier]]s ''Almaz'' and ''Imperator Alexander I'', as well as a screen of [[destroyer]]s and [[minesweeper]]s.

After receiving reports of the shelling of Ereğli, the battleship ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' was ordered to take action against the Russian group and left the Bosporus in the afternoon. However, by that time, the Russian ships had already left Ereğli. At 2:38 P.M., ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' spotted the Russian submarine ''[[Tiulen (submarine)|Tiulen]]'' on the surface and turned back, pretending to return towards the Bosporus, causing the submarine to not report the presence of the battleship.<ref name=":5">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=21}}</ref> Before entering the strait, ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' headed east, remaining in the Black Sea to locate the Russian main forces the next day and, if possible, surprise them while they were separated.<ref name=":5" />
 
==Battle==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 134-B0032, Großer Kreuzer Goeben.jpg|thumb|''Goeben'' before the war]]
[[File:IoannZlatoust03.jpg|thumb|Battleship ''Ioann Zlatoust'' just before the battle on 10 May 1915]]
[[File:Panteleimon1908Sevastopol.jpg|thumb|Battleship ''Pantielmon'' before the war]]

On May 10, at dawn, the Russian ships were about 22 miles from the Bosporus. The bombardment group consisted of the older battleship ''Tri Sviateitelia'' (under the command flag of Rear Admiral N. Putiatin, commander of the 2nd Brigade of Line Ships) and the newer ''[[Russian battleship Potemkin|Pantelimon]]'', which replaced the weaker ''[[Russian battleship Rostislav|Rostislav]]'' due to its longer-range guns.<ref>{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|pp=19-20}}</ref> At 5:40 A.M., the group headed towards the shore, following the minesweepers tasked with clearing the minefields, escorted by six older destroyers from the 4th and 5th Destroyer Divisions, which were also towing minesweeping gear, and two newer destroyers from the 1st Destroyer Division.<ref name=":6">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=20}}</ref> The battleships ''[[Russian battleship Evstafi|Evstafi]]'', [[Russian battleship Ioann Zlatoust|''Ioann'' ''Zlatoust'']], and ''Rostislav'', along with the remaining destroyers, formed a covering group, protecting the bombardment group from the seaward side. The cruisers ''Kagul'' and ''Pamiat' Merkuria'' were sent to watch to the west and east, respectively; the latter sank a small Ottoman sailing ship carrying coal.<ref name=":6" /> A Curtiss seaplane was also launched into the air.<ref name=":6" />

The Ottoman [[destroyer]] {{ship|Ottoman destroyer|Nümune-i Hamiyet||2}}, acting as a guard ship at the mouth of the Bosphorus, sighted the bombardment force at 5:40 A.M. and radioed a warning to ''Yavuz''.<ref name=":5" /> Captain Ackermann promptly set his ship on a course to intercept at {{convert|26|kn|km/h}}. Approaching from the east at high speed, the destroyer was detected before 7:00 A.M. by the vigilant cruiser ''Pamiat' Merkuria'' and a seaplane, which alerted the main forces.<ref name=":6" /> The Russian cruiser returned to the group at maximum speed to evade the faster ''Yavuz Sultan Selim''.<ref group="note">A humorous touch could be considered that the German ship signaled its call signs with a signal lamp: GB (''Goeben''). ({{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|pp=20-21|ref=none}})</ref> Upon receiving information about the opponent, the main Russian commander, Admiral Eberhardt, directed the battleships of the covering force to the south to approach the bombardment group. Simultaneously, orders to return were given for the detached battleships, which had already moved about 15 nautical miles away.<ref name=":8" /> 

The destroyer proceeded to engage at 7:10 A.M., firing on the minesweepers from a distance of 4.1 nautical miles.<ref name=":7">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|pp=21-22}}</ref> The battleships ''Evstafi'', ''Ioann Zlatoust'', and ''Rostislav'' engaged in battle in [[line-ahead formation]], while ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' changed course to parallel them, sailing on their starboard side. At 7:51 A.M., ''Ioann Zlatoust'' and ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' opened fire on each other from a distance of 9.4 nautical miles, followed by the flagship battleship ''Evstafi''.<ref name=":9">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|pp=22-23}}</ref> According to procedures developed in the fleet, ''Ioann Zlatoust'' directed the centralized fire of both battleships.<ref name=":10">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=23}}</ref> Both groups exchanged fire, but initially without effect. Subsequent five-gun salvos began to surround the flagship ''Evstafi'', flooding the [[Rangefinder|rangefinders]] with water spouts and damaging the splinter shields and wooden elements, although no direct hits were achieved.<ref name=":10" /> Initially, the Russian salvos were too short, but the water spouts they caused somewhat hindered the Germans' aim.<ref>{{Harvard citation text|Gribowskij|1996|p=33}}</ref> ''Rostislav'' (commanded by Captain of 1st Rank [[Kazimierz Porębski]]) did not participate in the bombardment to avoid interfering with the correction of fire for the 305mm guns of the stronger battleships.<ref name=":11">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|pp=23-26}}</ref> The commander of the Russian group and the entire Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Andrei Eberhardtt, skillfully maneuvered, making course and speed adjustments to make it difficult for the enemy to target. In particular, instead of increasing the speed of the column after the Germans obtained cover, he reduced it from 10 to 9 knots, causing the next salvo to fall short of ''Evstafi''. He also facilitated the approach of the remaining battleships.<ref name=":11" />

At 07:53 hours, Eberhardt's force met ''Yavuz'' sailing along a parallel course. Ackermann believed this to be the bombardment detail, though he was confused as to why he was facing three battleships instead of two. He soon realized his mistake when ''Tri Sviatitelia'' and ''Panteleimon'' joined the Russian battle line. The Ottoman battlecruiser fired 160 {{convert|11|in|mm|adj=on|0}} shells in the ensuing engagement, but scored no hits and caused no damage. One near miss on ''Evstafi'' sent a cascade of water over the [[flying bridge]], drenching Admiral Eberhardt and his staff.<ref name = noppen/> In return, the Russians landed one heavy caliber shell on ''Yavuz''{{'}}s forecastle, and another on her forward armoured belt. Outnumbered and outgunned, Captain Ackermann ordered his ship to disengage at 08:12.<ref name= halpern/> The Russians pursued the battlecruiser to the north before it doubled back and returned to Ottoman waters.

During the battle, around 8:05 A.M., the Russian squadron was joined by the battleships ''Tri Sviatitelia'' and ''Panteleimon'', sailing at maximum speed (''Panteleimon'' even surpassed the flagship of the 2nd Brigade, reaching a speed of 17.5 knots at the end of the maneuver – faster than during trials).<ref name=":0" /> As ''Panteleimon'' caught up with the rear ''Rostislav'', it independently opened fire with its 305 mm guns and achieved a hit with the second salvo fired at close to maximum effective range, about 10.4 nautical miles away, at 8:13 A.M. The shell hit the left side of ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' amidships, below the waterline, tearing apart at the lower edge of the armor belt.<ref name=":0" /> This caused localized flooding of a bulkhead corridor (without affecting the speed of the battlecruiser) and disabling one of the 15 cm guns.<ref name=":0" /> In the next few minutes, ''Panteleimon'', followed by ''Tri Sviatitelia'', took their positions ahead of the retreating ''Rostislav'' in the line of battle. Admiral Eberhardt then ordered a slight turn to the right, trying to reduce the distance, and the engagement distance decreased to 7.3 nautical miles.<ref name=":12">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=25}}</ref> Russian destroyers remained on the left side of the battleships, ready for a potential torpedo attack. ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' was hit by two more shells, in the bow and in the torpedo net compartment, which hung overboard.<ref name=":12" /> These shells also did not cause significant damage, but at 8:16 A.M., ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' broke off the engagement and turned to the right. The German commander, attempting to draw the Russians away from the Bosporus, headed north, maintaining a distance of 12–13 nautical miles.<ref name=":12" /> The Russian battleship squadron pursued ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' for several more hours, hoping that the damage would reduce its speed. Eventually, however, ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'', after turning eastward, accelerated and easily escaped from its pursuers, disappearing from sight around 3 P.M.<ref name=":12" />

''Pantelimon'' also fired seven shots at a larger ship observed deeper in the strait (identified as a ''[[SMS Weissenburg|Turgut Reis]]''-class battleship).<ref name=":8">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=22}}</ref> The [[protected cruiser]] {{ship|Russian cruiser|Pamiat Merkuria|1907|2}} then spotted ''Yavuz'' and reported it to the fleet, giving the bombardment force time to break off before it was sighted.

The reversal of the bombardment group on the opposite course took 18 minutes due to the need to turn in the narrow, mine-swept channel. At 7:41 A.M., upon reaching the shallower waters where mine barriers could be present, the battleships of the main force turned north again, with the enemy approaching from the starboard side at a distance of about 15 nautical miles.<ref name=":8" /> Due to the surprise of the divided Russian forces, the Germans had a potential opportunity to achieve victory, even over the entire Russian squadron.<ref name=":8" />

Cruising {{convert|25|mi|km}} off of the Bosphorus at {{convert|5|kn|km/h}} was Russian Admiral [[Andrei Eberhardt]]'s covering force, consisting of the newer pre-dreadnoughts {{ship|Russian battleship|Evstafi||2}} (the [[flagship]]), {{ship|Russian battleship|Ioann Zlatoust||2}}, and {{ship|Russian battleship|Rostislav||2}}. Ackermann was unaware of this, and ran right into the squadron.<ref name = noppen>{{cite book| last = Noppen| first = Ryan K.| title = Ottoman Navy Warships 1914–18| publisher = Bloomsbury Publishing| date = 20 July 2015|page= 28|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=G7edCwAAQBAJ| isbn = 9781472806208}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
To support ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'', upon sighting the Russian fleet near the Bosporus, the commander of the Ottoman fleet – German Rear Admiral [[Wilhelm Souchon]] – ordered steam to be raised and also sent out the cruiser ''Midilli''. However, ''Midilli'' only managed to arrive at the scene around noon, after the Russians had departed.<ref name=":12" /> To protect the returning cruisers from potential submarines from the Bosporus, the Ottoman [[torpedo cruiser]] ''[[Ottoman cruiser Peyk-i Şevket|Peyk-i Şevket]]'' and the destroyer ''Yadigar-i Millet'' were also sent out.<ref>{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=25|ref=none}}, {{Harvard citation text|Langensiepen|Güleryüz|1995|pp=148, 159|ref=none}}</ref> However, these units did not encounter any enemy vessels, as ''Tiulen'' left patrol due to engine problems, and ''Nierpa'', sent as a replacement, did not arrive in time.<ref name=":12" />

The Russian admiral considered sending the minesweepers back to base and returning with the main force to the Bosporus, but a nocturnal storm caused the entire fleet to return to Sevastopol on May 11th.<ref name=":12" />

The German-Ottoman side interrupted the Russian operation to shell the Bosporus fortifications, but despite the favorable tactical situation, they failed to inflict any damage on the enemy fleet. The command of the Russian squadron and its maneuvering by Admiral Eberhardt, which led to the effective combination of striking forces and hindered the German gunners' targeting, are highly praised.<ref name=":13">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|pp=26-27}}</ref> Although the Germans did not achieve any hits with 126 fired 28 cm caliber shells,<ref group="note">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=27|ref=none}}. According to {{Harvard citation text|Gribowskij|1996|p=33|ref=none}} – 160 28 cm shells.</ref> their fire was initially assessed by the Russians as accurate, well-focused, and skillfully conducted.<ref name=":13" /> Despite the tactical victory, some criticism arose due to the limited effectiveness of the Russian shelling, considering the number of shells fired. ''Evstafi'' fired 60 rounds of 305 mm and 32 rounds of 203 mm, ''Ioann Zlatoust'' fired 75 rounds of 305 mm and 4 rounds of 203 mm, ''Panteleimon'' fired 16 rounds of 305 mm, and ''Tri Sviatitelia'' fired 13 rounds of 305 mm (a total of 164 rounds of the main caliber and 36 rounds of 203 mm caliber – approximately 1.5% hits).<ref group="note">According to {{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=26|ref=none}}. {{Harvard citation text|Gribowskij|1996|p=33|ref=none}} stated that the first three battleships fired 156 rounds of 305 mm (without a detailed breakdown), and together with ''Tri Svyatitelya'' – 169 rounds.</ref> The application of centralized fire control techniques in practice did not meet expectations.<ref name=":13" /> The decision to significantly separate the bombardment group from the covering group was also criticized, as it posed a risk of destruction to either group, which did not occur due to the fortunate course of the battle and skillful further command.<ref name=":13" /> Despite this, the fleet's actions were deemed a success, and some Russian officers and sailors – especially those from the battleship ''Pantaleimon'' – received decorations.<ref group="note">Among others, the captain of the ''Pantaleimon'' Captain of the 1st Rank M. Kas'kov received the [[Golden Weapon for Bravery]], artillery officer W. Malchikovsky was promoted to senior lieutenant, awarded the [[Order of Saint Anna]] 3rd Class with swords and the [[Order of Saint Stanislaus (House of Romanov)|Order of Saint Stanislaus]] 2nd Class, and Admiral Eberhardt himself received swords to the [[Order of Saint Vladimir]] 2nd Class. ({{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=26|ref=none}})</ref>

The battle of the Bosporus was one of the two largest naval engagements in the Black Sea during World War I, alongside the [[Battle of Cape Sarych]], involving the main forces of both sides, although no ships were sunk as a result.<ref group="note">Based on the chronology of naval actions in {{Harvard citation text|Langensiepen|Güleryüz|1995|pp=44-53|ref=none}}.</ref>

== Units of both sides ==
(F) – [[Flagship|flagships]]

<nowiki>#</nowiki> – damaged units

=== Russian Empire ===

* Main forces of the Black Sea Fleet – Admiral [[Andrei Eberhardt|Andrei Eberhardtt]]
** Battleship Division – [[Vice admiral|Vice Admiral]] P. Nowickij:<ref name=":10" />
*** 1st Battleship Brigade (escort group):
**** ''[[Russian battleship Evstafi|Evstafi]]'' (F/Admiral A. Eberhardt) – Captain 1st Rank ([[Commander]]) M. Fiodorowicz,
**** ''[[Russian battleship Ioann Zlatoust|Ioann Zlatoust]]'' (F/Vice Admiral P. Nowickij) – Captain 1st Rank F. Winter,<ref name=":9" />
**** ''[[Russian battleship Rostislav|Rostislav]]'' – Captain 1st Rank [[Kazimierz Porębski]]<ref group="note">According to {{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|pp=23-24|ref=none}}, [[Kazimierz Porębski]] was the commander of [[Russian battleship Rostislav|''Rostislav'']] during the battle. However, Rafaił Mielnikow in the book ''Eskadriennyj bronienosjec Rostislav'' ''(1893-1920)'' states that Porębski commanded it in 1914, and from 24 December 1914, until an unknown date, the commander was Ivan Kuznetsov.</ref>
*** 2nd Battleship Brigade (bombardment group) – Rear Admiral N. Putiatin:
**** ''Tri Sviateitelia'' (F) – Captain 1st Rank W. Łukin,
**** ''[[Russian battleship Potemkin|Panteleimon]]'' – Captain 1st Rank Mitrofan Kas’kow<ref name=":0" />
** Cruisers: ''[[Kagul (cruiser)|Kagul]]'' – Captain 1st Rank S. Pogulajew, ''Pamiat' Mierkurija'' – Captain 1st Rank M. Ostrogradskij,<ref name=":3" /> ''[[Russian cruiser Almaz|Almaz]]''<ref name=":14">{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|p=28}}</ref>
** 1st Destroyer Squadron – Captain 1st Rank W. Trubieckij:
*** ''Dierzkij'' (F) – Commander 2nd Rank A. Gadd, ''Biespokojnyj'' – Commander S. Bierch, ''Gniewnyj'' – Commander W. Czerkasow, ''Pronzitielnyj'' – Commander W. Borsuk<ref>{{Harvard citation text|Kozłow|2003|pp=19, 28}}</ref>
** 2nd Destroyer Squadron (Captain 1st Rank A. Zarudnyj):
*** ''Gromkij'' (F) – Commander F. Stark, ''Sczastliwyj'' – Commander F. Klimow, ''Bystryj'' – Commander B. Bykow<ref name=":4" />
** 4th Destroyer Squadron – Commander I. Podjapolskij:
*** ''Lejtnant Puszczin'' (F) – Commander W. Gołowizin, [[Zutkij|Z''utkij'']] – Commander A. Tichmieniew, ''[[Zywuczij]]'' – Senior Lieutenant ([[Lieutenant commander|Lieutenant Commander]]) J. Tumanow, ''Zarkij'' – [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] W. Sobieckij<ref name=":14" />
** 5th Destroyer Squadron – Commander A. Gieziechus:
*** ''[[Zvonkiy]]'' (F) – Commander A. Gieziechus, ''{{ill|Russian destroyer Zorky (1904)|lt=Zorkiy|pl|Zorkij (1904)}}'' – Senior Lieutenant W. Pyshnov, ''Zavetny'' – Commander W. Bubnov, ''{{ill|Russian destroyer Zavidny|lt=Zavidny|ru|Завидный (эсминец)}}'' – Lieutenant P. von Stilberg<ref name=":14" />
** Sea mine party – Commander I. Engelman:
*** Minesweepers ''Witjaz'' (F), ''Rossija'', ''St. Nikolai'',
*** Minelayers/minesweepers ''Wielikaja kniaginia Ksenia'', ''Wielikij kniaz Konstantin'', ''Wielikij kniaz Aleksiej<ref name=":4" />''
** Seaplane carrier (auxiliary cruiser) ''Impierator Aleksandr I'' – Captain 1st Rank P. Giering<ref name=":4" />
* Submarine ''[[Tiulen (submarine)|Tiulen]]'' – Senior Lieutenant P. Baczmanow<ref name=":5" />

=== Ottoman Empire / Germany ===

* Battlecruiser ''Yavuz Sultan Selim'' (formerly ''[[SMS Goeben|Goeben]]'') – ''Kapitän zur See'' (Commander) Richard Ackermann
* Destroyer ''Nümune-i Hamiyet'' – ''kidemli yüzbaşi''<ref group="note">The rank higher than Captain in the navy, no direct equivalent in English. ({{Harvard citation text|Langensiepen|Güleryüz|1995|p=197|ref=none}})</ref> Nezir Abdullah<ref name=":5" />

== Notes ==
<references group="note" />

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{Cite journal |last=Kozłow |first=Denis |year=2003 |title=Boj u Bosfora |journal=FłotoMaster |language=ru |volume=4 |pages=16–27}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Langensiepen |first1=Bernd |title=The Ottoman steam navy 1828–1923 |last2=Güleryüz |first2=Ahmet |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |year=1995 |isbn=0-85177-610-8}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Gribowskij |first=W. Ju. |year=1996 |title=Czornomorskij fłot w bojach z «Giebienom» (1914–1915 gody) |journal=Gangut |language=ru |location=Saint Petersburg |issue=10 |pages=20–33}}

[[Category:Naval battles of World War I involving Russia]]
[[Category:Naval battles of World War I involving the Ottoman Empire]]
[[Category:Black Sea naval operations of World War I]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1915]]
[[Category:May 1915 events]]