The first defense of the main base on the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol in 1854-1855 during the Crimean war. The forces of the anti-Russian coalition, far superior to the defenders of the city in the number of ground troops and ships, expected to take Sevastopol for a week, but the siege lasted 349 days. During the siege, the city was subjected to massive artillery bombardment from land and sea. After August 28 (September 9), 1855 was captured tactically important for the defense of Sevastopol height — Malakhov Kurgan, the defenders decided to leave the city.