2-913-668 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Destruction of Sulineh, at the Mouth of the Danube, 1854. Crimean War: Royal Navy ships destroy a Romanian town under Russian control. '[HMS] Spitfire was sent on to the blockading squadron off the Danube, and arrived there with despatches [which]...contained orders for the entire destruction of the small town on the right bank of the Sulineh branch....She anchored in the river abreast of the town, having, when entering, fired shot and shell to apprise the Cossacks of her approach, and to give protection to the boats. However, the enemy was not to be seen; they evidently evacuated the place on perceiving the steamer coming in...the whole place was soon enveloped in dense smoke and flames...By sunset...the town of Sulineh was completely destroyed by fire'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.