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Russian Bay Naval Station
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- Russian Naval presence in POros Harbour from late 1820s.
- Involvement in Battle of Poros.
- Naval Station Built/Reconstructed 1834.
- Used as Naval and Trading Centre.
- Abandoned 1917 by Revolting Sailors.
- Ruins, Beach and Snack Bar.
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Russian Bay - Russian Naval Station from South East
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Russian Bay Naval Station:
During the 1820s the Great Powers of England, France and Russia, were heavily involved in the Greek Revolution that
ended in the formation of the modern Greek nation. Some of the islands in the Ionian and Aegean seas around Greece had come
under British and French control, mainly as a defence against piracy by other Greeks and the Navy of the Ottoman Empire.
Russia had strategic desires to obtain warm-water ports and bases, as well as a religious and political link between its
Tsar and Orthodox Church with the Greek Orthodox Church. The consequence was that although the Royal Navy and the French
Navy provided the bulk of the forces at the Battle of Navarino Bay, the outcome was not adequately taken advantage of, as
Britain and France wanted to stay on good terms with the Turks. Russia maintained a Naval squadron in the Aegean and
during the Battle of Poros in 1831, provided support for the Greek government of Kapodistrias
against rebel forces under Admiral Miaoulis of Hydra. The outcome was the destruction of the main part of the recently
established Hellenic Navy, the victory of Kapodistrias and a negotiated peace between his government and Hydra.
Russia is thought to have had some kind of naval facility in Poros during the 1820s but this was damaged during the
fighting and a new base was constructed in 1834, partly by prisoners taken during the time of the Battle of Poros. It
is suspected that the old base may have been near or shared with the Hellenic Navy's base near Poros Town at Kanali, the
new site being further away and maybe less likely to cause conflict. The new site became known as 'Russian Bay', its
anchorage conveniently near the northern exit of the harbour.
The Imperial Russian Navy Base and Trading Station...
References in published texts and websites indicate that the site was needed for both military and commercial reasons,
serving as a barracks for the Russian sailors and as warehouses and workshops. Poros harbour is bordered by orchards of
olives, grapes, citrus fruits and the like, all valuable as they are and when processed for olive oil, wine, raisins, fruit
juices and the like. During a time when scurvy from lack of vitamins was a prime killer of seamen, the resources of the
area would have been valuable both to the Navy and to the commercial shipping that traded north from Poros through the
Black Sea to Russia. Whilst the writer has no direct evidence, it is logical that the Russians would have used their
Naval Base to support their merchant interests.
The building as it remains has a large and impressive frontage, presumably for offices and the like, with at least two
floors above the ground floor. Below and behind this area are the vaulted remains of what may have been storehouses,
above which the barracks could have been located. The walls at ground level have what at first sight look like arrow-slits,
but in fact these were probably ventilators for the storerooms, too narrow for pilerage and easily covered by grilles
against rats and other vermin. It is difficult to say whether there was much of a permanent garrison
as the structure does not seem large enough for that. Neither is it clear whether there was any kind of dock or pier
at the site; the adjacent bay to the west may have allowed ships to be emptied and winched ashore for repairs. There
are the remains of a large well to the north east of the building, providing the fresh water essential for base and warships.
The rather ignominious end to this Russian warm water base came in 1917. The crews of the two ships on station mutinied
against their officers and decided to return to Russia, presumably back to the Baltic bases at St. Petersburg, as the
route into the Black Sea was strongly fortified by the Turks. Before leaving, the ships turned their guns on the base
and left it in much the same ruined state as it remains today. The thought occurs that the Bolsheviks must later have
regretted the loss of one of their few bases beyond Russia, for otherwise the Russian Navy might still be in the area.
Tourism and Access to Russian Bay...
There is a quite considerable buoyed anchorage for yachts off Russian Bay and a pier for small boats in regular use.
Although the sea bottom beyond the shoreline is mostly shingle, the sands around the old ruins are popular with visitors.
From 2007, a snack bar with parasol-shaded tables and good flush toilets, caters to the needs of the visitors. The bus from
Poros (2007 cost 1 Euro per head) terminates at Russian Bay and runs twice an hour.
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© 2007 & 2008 Richard Edkins, Dalbeattie Internet.
