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COMMANDER // 1722–1785

John Elphinstone

admiral2 battles1 war

Lifespan

1722 – 1785

173017401750176017701780Sixth Russo-Turkish War · 1768-1774Battle of Chesma — July 7, 1770 · Russian Empire · Sixth Russo-Turkish WarBattle of Nauplia — May 27, 1770 · Russian Empire · Sixth Russo-Turkish War

Active service 1770 — 2 battles across 1 war; first command at age 48.

Profile

John Elphinstone was a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy before joining the Imperial Russian Navy in 1770 with approval from the Admiralty. Together with fellow Britons Samuel Greig and Charles Knowles, Elphinstone was part of a group of Russian naval officers under Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov which defeated the Ottoman Navy at the Battle of Chesma, off Chios.

Source · Wikipedia · Q4531554

Battles (2)

Last verified June 2026
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