On October 20th, followed by the French and Russian squadrons, Admiral Cordington entered the harbour and anchored close to the hostile fleet, when fire was opened by the Turks upon a ship's boat, killing the lieutenant in charge and several of his men. The "Dartmouth" then opened fire, and the battle commenced. The batteries of the fortress of Navarino then began to fire on the combined fleets, but so bad was the aim of the enemy's gunners that they did as much damage to their friends as to their foes. For four hours the fight continued with great vigour, and had it not been for the splendid co-operation of the French and Russian fleets it is doubtful whether the issue would have been satisfactory to lovers of freedom. It is noteworthy, however, that the French Admiral's flagship was only saved from grappling by a Turkish fireship through the speedy assistance given by the British brig "Rose" and some boats of the Russian fleet. The British losses were 75 killed, and 197 wounded. The French lost 43 killed, and 144 wounded, and the Russians 59 killed, and 139 wounded, while the enemy--according to his own estimate--had thousands killed. [Illustration: WILLIAM IV.] [Illustration: QUEEN VICTORIA. (Reverse.) EDWARD VII. (Obverse.) NAVAL LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS.] The following British ships were engaged: the flagship "Asia," "Albion," "Genoa," "Glasgow," "Cambrian," "Dartmouth," and "Talbot," and the brigs "Brisk," "Mosquito," "Philomel," and "Rose." There were 4 French ships of the line, a frigate and a schooner, and 5 Russian ships of the line and 3 frigates. Hereafter the history of the British Navy and its engagements was, until 1914, confined to the bombardment of ports, or combined with that of the army in land service. =Syria.=--Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, had in 1839 defeated the Turkish armies and made himself master of Syria, and, as has happened often since, Great Britain went to the sick man's aid, co-operating with Austria, Russia, and Prussia, to compel the recalcitrant Pasha to accept the Vice-Royalty and be satisfied with the governorship of Syria for his lifetime. An ultimatum was sent to him and his generals to the effect that Syria was to be restored to the government of the Sultan of Turkey within twenty-one days, but as no notice was taken of the demand, a squadron of British ships blockaded Alexandria, in the harbour of which the Egyptian fleet was at anchor, while the other portion of the fleet, under Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, bombarded Beyrout. Meanwhile, the towns on the coast of Syria had been retaken, Tyre captured on September 24th and Sidon on the 27th. Concentrating at Acre, the Egyptians were worsted there on November 2nd, and the war was brought to a conclusion by Mehemet Ali accepting the terms he had originally refused.