In the end of Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829, three Russian ships cruised together near the way out of the strait Bosporus.  They were 44-gun frigate Standart, 20-gun brig 0rfey and 20-gun brig Mercury.

Mercury was commanded by captain-lieutenant Kazarsky.  The 28-years old captain was considered the bravest officer of Black Sea Fleet.  He had been awarded by a gold sabre for the battles in Varna in 1828.

At dawn May 14th, a Turkish squadron was in sight.  The Russian ships wanted to scout on the enemy.  Standart and Orfey moved ahead while Mercury stayed put. 

Having counted Turkish fleet (14 ships), Standart and Orfey turned back but were detected by the Turkish ships.  Standart and Orfey set their course to NW and soon disappeared.  Mercury, however, was pursued relentlessly. 

The most formidable Turkish ships - 110-gun Selimie and the 74-gun Real Bay gradually reached Mercury while the rest of Turkish squadron stayed put to see if the admiral preferred to catch or to sink the Russian brig. 

At 15 o'clock the Turkish opened fire from behind the Mercury.  The battle began.  184 guns against 20.

After the first Turkish fire there was a council of war on the brig.  The commander of brig Mercury wrote in his dispatch to admiral A. S. Greig: "We unanimously decided to fight to the end.  If masts and spars would become useless to pump the water in the hold out, any survival officer should burn the powder chamber."

Sailors prepared the brig for the battle.  A sentry near the flag took order to shoot at anybody who would try to lower the flag.  The yawl hung over-stern was thrown into the sea and two 3-pounder guns in the stern started their sound of anger.

Kazarsky knew the weak and strong points of his brig.  She could hold back a high wave, but was too heavy in calm sea.  She could be saved only by the art of maneuver and by accuracy of the gunners.

The real battle began when Selimie skirted the brig from the right and fired a volley from the left side.  Kazarsky managed to dodge.  Mercury began skillfully maneuvering with oars to oblige the enemy to use only their chaser guns.

Then Mercury found itself between two ships.  Swarms and swarms of cannon balls flew to Mercury.  To the Turkish surprises, demands to surrender was only returned with carronade volleys.  Finally, a Mercury's accurate 24-pound shot damaged Selimie's main topgallant mast and made the ship hard to maneuver. 

The other Turkish ship insistently continued the battle.  During the course of one hour,  it sent out numerous cruel fore-and-aft volleys.  However, Mercury managed to damage the left arm fore-topsail-yard of the Turkish ship.  This made it unable to pressure further and stopped the battle at 17:30.

As a cannon sound from the south died away, Standart and Orfey considered Mercury sunk and put their flags at half mast to mourn.

Mercury's damages: 22 holes in the hull, 133 holes in the sails, 16 damages in the masts and spars, and 148 in rigging.  She received George flag and pendant. Captain Kazarsky received the order of George of IV degree and the rank of adjutant.  The other officers received the orders of Vladimir of IV degree.  All officers and sailors were granted life pension in the scale of double salary. 

Mercury was highly regarded by the enemy.  After the battle the navigator of the Selimie commented: "lf in the great deeds of ancient times there were feats of bravery, this act put the others in the shade.  The name of the hero should be written in the gold letter in the shrine of glory: captain Kazarsky and brig Mercury.

Mercury served until November 9th, 1857 (38 years of service) when she was disassembled due to her age.  Her name was passed on in the Russian Black Sea Fleet: a corvette in 1865 and two cruisers in 1883 and 1907.

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This Mercury model  features:

• Scratch-built

• Double plank-on-frame

• All parts are wooden or metal

• Realistic old-looking thin sails

• Copper-plated bottom: individual copper pieces that were weathered unevenly to create a realistic look

• Fine deck details

• Wooden base