Nusret

[cagatay]

Hi,
I'm in need of some info about the Turkish minelayer ship Nusret (or Nusrat). Also photos if available.
Thanks.

[bob lembke]

Hi Cagatay;

I was fortunate to be in Istanbul two months ago, and visited the Naval Museum for the first time. (it was fun to get there by taking a ferry from Sultanahmet in Europe to Asia for $0.60, have a nice lunch at an open-air restaurant, and then take a ferry from Asia to Europe for $0.45 to get to the museum, which is, as you must know, about 2 km. up the Bosphorous (sp?) from the Golden Horn, right on the shore, on the European side.

They had a lot about the Nusret on display; a model, photos and a painting, I think, etc. The valiant and very smart exploit by the ship and its crew probably affected the course of the war, to some extent, and helped push Churchill into political unemployment for 20 years.

The junior staff at the museum was very friendly, but I suspect that the senior staff, or at least the regulations they must follow, could be somewhat bureaucratic, based on my experiences elsewhere (Askari Muze, a wonderful place). Visited there for the third time.

Turkish military history is fascinating, but seems hard to research, even without the interesting but very difficult language. Istanbul is, of course, fantastic. Forumites, a wonderful place to visit. Good Luck!

Bob Lembke

[cagatay]

Hi Bob!

I already tried that museum but I need more detailed info.
Thanks anyway.

And you are right. Our military history has lots of interesting details for a history fan! And you are right again it's realy too hard to reasearch. Too much sourcess telling different stories.

This Nusrat resarch is killing me!

[seljuk]

Nusret joined to Ottoman Navy in 1913. It was launched from Schiff & Maschinenbaun AG 'Germania' , Kiel in 1911. She was able to maneuver over minefields due to her lower under water structure. This feature made her safest and efficient minelayer of the Ottoman Navy. Fortunately her mines stopped Allied Naval Attack on March 18, 1915 by sinking 3 battleships and heavily damaging 3 others. After these casualties allied forces gave up to cross dardanelles by naval attacks, instead they started long and costly land battles. Ottomans never let enemy pass the straits. Minelayer Nusret played key role during the naval attacks to defend the Ottoman waters. She had more than deserved to live longer honorably to be a museum ship, instead she is waiting for her destiny in the mud of Mersin harbor [From Turkish newspapers1999 - 3,4]. While you are reading this paragraphs, she had already been scraped [news 1999]. Recent developments about Nusret is coming to good end. Ministry of Culture finally purchased the minelayer Nusret[12]. She was going to be brought to Çanakkale. Turkish Navy is providing the detailed plans of Nusret. Next step is restoration of Nusret back to original condition.
http://www.iit.edu/~agunsal/canakkale/n ... usret.html

http://www.nusratcalismagrubu.org/