The Ottoman Navy’s Journey to England (1850–1851)

​The Ottoman Navy’s Journey to England (1850–1851)Mir’at-ı Zafer Frigate & Surağ-ı Bahri Brik
In 1850, two Ottoman naval ships--Mir’at-ı Zafer and Surağ-ı Bahri—embarked on a historic training voyage from Istanbul to Portsmouth, England. Led by young naval officers, this mission marked a significant chapter in Ottoman maritime modernization under Sultan Abdülmecid.
The ships visited key Mediterranean ports--Gallipoli, Malta, and Gibraltar—where ceremonies, training drills, and diplomatic salutes were held. Ottoman sailors practiced navigation, gunnery, and ship maintenance, engaging with British naval officers and local populations along the way.
In Portsmouth, the ships received a grand welcome. Queen Victoria passed by in salute, and Ottoman officers were invited to British naval dockyards and social functions. Public interest was high—locals visited the ships daily. Ottoman sailors also trained with British crews, learned Western techniques, and proudly represented their empire.
This voyage was more than a naval exercise—it was a diplomatic mission, a cultural exchange, and a symbol of the Ottoman Empire's aspirations to modernize and engage with the West.
"May God grant peace," wrote Lieutenant Mehmet Burhanettin in his journal as the ships departed Portsmouth in May 1851, returning home through the same waters they had proudly crossed.