Slanders On Muslims In History

Ottoman Battleships Hijacked by the British and the Payment that Was Never Returned

In the early stages of WWI, the Ottoman Empire hadn't yet joined the war and commissioned three big dreadnoughts from Britain and paid for them in advance. These dreadnoughts, named 'Sultan Osman', 'Sultan Reşadiye', and 'Fatih', had revolutionary technology for the early 20^th century. They could move quickly, and were almost like fleets on their own. They were crucial for the improvement of the Ottoman navy and to keep it from suffering defeats on the seas. In early 1900s, land transportation wasn't as advanced and military prowess was determined by power at sea.

The Ottoman Empire was having financial difficulties and the administration started large-scale donation campaigns to fund the battleships. Fundraising stands were erected in public places and even schoolchildren contributed with their pocket money. Large donations would be rewarded with a 'Donanma İane Madalyası' (Navy Donation Medal). Similarly, the 'Donanma-i Osmanî Muavenet-i Milliyye Cemiyeti' (Association for the Ottoman Navy) was set up in 1909 and organized fundraising campaigns, parades and even sold products to help raise the required amount for the ships.

The dreadnought 'Sultan Osman' was originally called 'Rio de Janeiro', because it had been previously commissioned by Brazil. However, when Brazil failed to make payment, the British manufacturer Armstrong put the battleship on sale and the Ottomans purchased it. Even the commander was decided: Hamidiye's legendary captain, Rauf Bey.

On July 27, 1914, Rauf Bey, on behalf of the Ottoman Empire, went to Newcastle, England to take delivery of the 'Sultan Osman' battleship. However, things took an unexpected turn. Having already decided that the Ottomans should be with the Central Powers, the representatives of the British deep state didn't want to give such an advanced battleship to a country that would fight against them soon.

Churchill was perfectly aware that requisitioning the battleship would cause an immense diplomatic scandal; nevertheless on August 3, 1914, Britain officially declared that it requisitioned the 'Sultan Osman' and 'Reşadiye'. In other words, the British hijacked the battleships of the Ottomans, before even the Turkish flag could be raised. Not only did they confiscate them, they also –completely illegally and unlawfully– refused to return the gold paid for them, which amounted to £12 million. The money had been paid in advance. To put it more accurately, they unabashedly stole the money.

Rauf Bey (Orbay), who was nicknamed the 'Hero of Hamidiye' and who would later become the 3rd Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic, recalled the incident with the following words: