Egyptian–Ottoman War
1839–1841
Muhammad Ali, the Ottoman governor of Egypt, had taken Syria from the Sultan and in 1839 beat the Ottoman army again at Nezib. Weeks later the Ottoman fleet sailed to Alexandria and handed itself over to him. To prop up the Ottoman Empire, Britain and Austria sent their fleets to the Syrian coast in 1840. Steam warships landed troops and supplies along the coast, Beirut and Sidon fell, and at Acre a single afternoon's bombardment, ended by the explosion of the fortress's main magazine, took what had been thought one of the strongest fortresses in the east. Muhammad Ali gave up Syria and returned the Ottoman fleet.
How the fleets moved
Click a route to see which ships made it, or a battle for its summary. Routes are approximate.
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British movement
Ottoman movement
Battle (size: ships engaged)
Routes are approximate.
Battles
In date order.
11 September – 10 October 1840
Bombardment of BeirutBeirut and Jounieh Bay
Allied victory; Beirut abandoned by the Egyptians
6
Fleets
Each navy's ships in the war, from its biggest down.