RCN
11-07-2008, 19:26
Today being the 126th anniversary of the bombardment of the forts at Alexandria I thought it might be an idea to do a brief account of the action --
There were several causes for the Egyptian campaign of 1882, but primarily for the British it was a matter of keeping access to the Suez Canal open to shipping for the benefit of her commerce with India & the Far East. The stability of the Egyptian government was also of great concern as this directly affected the Suez canal.
Riots had broken out in Alexandria on June 11, with the Khedive rapidly losing support & the government about to be taken over by Arabi Pasha, a radical revolutionary not in sympathy with British interests in the region. Things continued to deteriorate during June & early July & it became apparent that the gov’t of Egypt was becoming quite unstable & a revolution might break out at any time. Atrocities were also taking place against European nationals in the city.
A formidable fleet was assembled off Alexander under Admiral Sir Beauchamp Seymour. It was noted by senior officers on the ships that the forts off Alexandria were being strengthened & numerous guns were being mounted. These guns were aimed directly at the fleet. Communications were addressed to the Egyptian gov’t requesting the ceasing of all defensive works in the forts under penalty of bombardment. There was also at this time an exodus of foreign nationals taking place from the city as war became apparent. Admiral Seymour was unable to obtain any assurance from the gov’t so he announced that unless all works on the forts & batteries were given up on July 10, he would bombard the forts on the 11th. The same day, neutral ships, fearing damage, began departing the harbour.
The Fleet facing the port of Alexandria was a formidable one, consisting of several ironclad battleships of various sizes & armament: HMS Alexandra, Temeraire, Sultan, Superb, Hecla, Inflexible, Invincible, Monarch, Penelope, & the smaller ships HMS Beacon, Bittern, Condor, Cygnet, Decoy, & Helicon.
These Ironclad battleships were capable of putting out a huge weight of shot into the forts. The weight of HMS Alexandra’s broadside alone was 2,600 pounds. At that time HMS Inflexible was the most powerful turret B/S of the fleet & could put out 6800 pounds of broadside. All of the ironclads were fully masted & had full steam power in addition to their full sail rig.
There were several forts the ships would bombard & these are shown in the harbour map below . The main forts were at Mex, Ada & Pharos. There were also considerable batteries along the Ras-El-Tin Lines situated between Fort Ada & The lighthouse near the harbour breakwater. Another fortified battery was situated along the Mex Lines near Fort Mex. At 0700, 11 July, Adm. Seymour gave the order to open fire & the bombardment was commenced, the first shots being fired by HMS Alexandra. A general bombardment followed as the Ironclads joined. As the bombardment progressed some of the ships moved location but the Ironclads could not get in close due to the shallow water in the harbour. The smaller craft had no problems with this tho & HMS Condor actually got quite close to Fort Marabout & received a commendation from Adm Seymour for doing so. The shallowness of the harbour necessitated the heavier ships keeping further out, but Adm Seymour temporarily shifted his flag to HMS Invincible so he could be closer to the action. The forts responded but due to the poor quality of the Egyptian shot & powder many shots did no damage. Both Alexandra & Sultan did take hits tho.
The diagram below shows the movements & sight lines of some of the Ironclads during the course of the day.
The Forts responded with heavy return fire but as the quality of the Egyptian powder & shot was poor many & shots turned out to be duds. Their shooting quality was also poor. However, HMS Alexandra took at least 24 hits outside her armoured area, one of which penetrated her unarmoured side lodging on the main deck with it’s fuse still alight. Only the quick thinking of Gunner Israel Harding, who flung water on the fuse & quickly immersed it in a tub of water saved an explosion, which would have taken many lives. For this action he was to receive the Victoria Cross. Total Naval casualties were 5 killed & 28 wounded. Egyptian casualties in the forts are uncertain but estimated at approx 150 killed & 400 wounded. The forts had ceased fire by 1700 & by 1730 the fleet ceased firing. During the night no action took place & the forts were observed by searchlights for any signs of rebuilding or rearming. The following morning a flag of truce was hoisted & the action was over. Later in the day shore parties were landed to spike the guns in the forts & to occupy & police the city & protect the Europeans in the city. It was then discovered by the landing parties that were assigned to the forts that they had been abandoned.
Subsequently, in August, a large Naval brigade was landed to undertake further action against the rebel forces & to secure the Suez canal, but that is another story. The Egyptian & Soudan campaigns were to continue off & on until 1888.
I will include a few illustrations & photos of the action & some of the ships involved,
Bryan
There were several causes for the Egyptian campaign of 1882, but primarily for the British it was a matter of keeping access to the Suez Canal open to shipping for the benefit of her commerce with India & the Far East. The stability of the Egyptian government was also of great concern as this directly affected the Suez canal.
Riots had broken out in Alexandria on June 11, with the Khedive rapidly losing support & the government about to be taken over by Arabi Pasha, a radical revolutionary not in sympathy with British interests in the region. Things continued to deteriorate during June & early July & it became apparent that the gov’t of Egypt was becoming quite unstable & a revolution might break out at any time. Atrocities were also taking place against European nationals in the city.
A formidable fleet was assembled off Alexander under Admiral Sir Beauchamp Seymour. It was noted by senior officers on the ships that the forts off Alexandria were being strengthened & numerous guns were being mounted. These guns were aimed directly at the fleet. Communications were addressed to the Egyptian gov’t requesting the ceasing of all defensive works in the forts under penalty of bombardment. There was also at this time an exodus of foreign nationals taking place from the city as war became apparent. Admiral Seymour was unable to obtain any assurance from the gov’t so he announced that unless all works on the forts & batteries were given up on July 10, he would bombard the forts on the 11th. The same day, neutral ships, fearing damage, began departing the harbour.
The Fleet facing the port of Alexandria was a formidable one, consisting of several ironclad battleships of various sizes & armament: HMS Alexandra, Temeraire, Sultan, Superb, Hecla, Inflexible, Invincible, Monarch, Penelope, & the smaller ships HMS Beacon, Bittern, Condor, Cygnet, Decoy, & Helicon.
These Ironclad battleships were capable of putting out a huge weight of shot into the forts. The weight of HMS Alexandra’s broadside alone was 2,600 pounds. At that time HMS Inflexible was the most powerful turret B/S of the fleet & could put out 6800 pounds of broadside. All of the ironclads were fully masted & had full steam power in addition to their full sail rig.
There were several forts the ships would bombard & these are shown in the harbour map below . The main forts were at Mex, Ada & Pharos. There were also considerable batteries along the Ras-El-Tin Lines situated between Fort Ada & The lighthouse near the harbour breakwater. Another fortified battery was situated along the Mex Lines near Fort Mex. At 0700, 11 July, Adm. Seymour gave the order to open fire & the bombardment was commenced, the first shots being fired by HMS Alexandra. A general bombardment followed as the Ironclads joined. As the bombardment progressed some of the ships moved location but the Ironclads could not get in close due to the shallow water in the harbour. The smaller craft had no problems with this tho & HMS Condor actually got quite close to Fort Marabout & received a commendation from Adm Seymour for doing so. The shallowness of the harbour necessitated the heavier ships keeping further out, but Adm Seymour temporarily shifted his flag to HMS Invincible so he could be closer to the action. The forts responded but due to the poor quality of the Egyptian shot & powder many shots did no damage. Both Alexandra & Sultan did take hits tho.
The diagram below shows the movements & sight lines of some of the Ironclads during the course of the day.
The Forts responded with heavy return fire but as the quality of the Egyptian powder & shot was poor many & shots turned out to be duds. Their shooting quality was also poor. However, HMS Alexandra took at least 24 hits outside her armoured area, one of which penetrated her unarmoured side lodging on the main deck with it’s fuse still alight. Only the quick thinking of Gunner Israel Harding, who flung water on the fuse & quickly immersed it in a tub of water saved an explosion, which would have taken many lives. For this action he was to receive the Victoria Cross. Total Naval casualties were 5 killed & 28 wounded. Egyptian casualties in the forts are uncertain but estimated at approx 150 killed & 400 wounded. The forts had ceased fire by 1700 & by 1730 the fleet ceased firing. During the night no action took place & the forts were observed by searchlights for any signs of rebuilding or rearming. The following morning a flag of truce was hoisted & the action was over. Later in the day shore parties were landed to spike the guns in the forts & to occupy & police the city & protect the Europeans in the city. It was then discovered by the landing parties that were assigned to the forts that they had been abandoned.
Subsequently, in August, a large Naval brigade was landed to undertake further action against the rebel forces & to secure the Suez canal, but that is another story. The Egyptian & Soudan campaigns were to continue off & on until 1888.
I will include a few illustrations & photos of the action & some of the ships involved,
Bryan