ABSTRACT
The first task at Varna was to disembark the troops. Lacking harbour facilities, the majority came ashore over an open beach. While this was valuable experience for the future, the fact that it took over a month was ignored when deciding to invade the Crimea. The crews of four or five heavy ships assisted; the remainder kept to the north at Baljick, with steamers checking Sevastopol. Dundas recognised that if the Russian fleet did leave harbour it would be to land troops and stores south of the Danube. He also prepared to send steamers to support Turkish troops in the Sulina channel. 1
