Historical Commemoration of the Nusret Mine-Laying Ship After 110 Years in Çanakkale

The historic mine-laying ship Nusret, which played a crucial role in the victory of the Çanakkale naval battle, retraced its historical route after 110 years to revive the memory of that great epic.

Reenacting the Historical Epic After 110 Years

The ship «TCG Nusret (N-16)» set sail from the Çanakkale Naval Museum pier and passed through the exact route where, on March 8, 1915, by laying mines, it changed the fate of the battle in favor of the Turks.

During this ceremony, local officials and military authorities honored the memory of the martyrs of the Çanakkale war and, as a sign of respect, placed wreaths in the sea. Among the attendees were Çanakkale Governor Ömer Turaman, Çanakkale Mayor Muharrem Erkek, Rear Admiral Serhat Sözbir, and Rear Admiral Mustafa Biçen.

The Importance of the Nusret Ship in the History of the Çanakkale Battle

Lieutenant Ramazan Yıldız, commander of the Nusret ship, in his speech, referred to the historical significance of March 18, 1915, saying:

"The naval victory of March 18 was not only a turning point in World War I but also one of the brightest pages in military history."

He added that the victory of that day was primarily due to the bravery of the Nusret crew and its commander, Captain Hakkı Bey:

"March 18, 1915, was a heavy defeat for the Allies, but a great victory for the heroic defenders of the Dardanelles Strait."

The Spiritual Role of the Nusret Ship in Strengthening National Morale

Lieutenant Yıldız also pointed out the profound impact of this victory on the morale of the Turkish people, adding:

"This victory, achieved through the efforts and courage of the Nusret crew, brought great hope and joy to the Turkish people and soldiers. General Cevat Pasha summed up this victory with his historic sentence: 'They came, they could not pass, and they never will.'"

Student Participation in the Commemoration Ceremony

In this special ceremony, students also participated, including nine students from Siirt Şirvan Vocational and Technical High School who attended the event by invitation from the Ministry of Defense. Rumeysa Orhan, one of these students, considered attending the ceremony a great honor. Additionally, Zeynep Dişli, another student who visited Çanakkale for the first time, expressed her happiness and described this day as an unforgettable memory.