During the Crimean War, in August 1854, an Anglo-French squadron of six ships entered Avachinskaya Bay. On board were 2,500 soldiers and sailors, as well as 212 cannons. Against them stood two Russian ships, 68 cannons, and 926 defenders of the city, who built seven batteries. The enemy landing party, which landed on Nikolskaya Hill, was destroyed by the defenders. Russian artillery inflicted significant damage on the ships of the Anglo-French squadron, forcing them to leave the bay.