Samsun

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Revision as of 16:08, 16 December 2008

Samsun (Port of entry)

The City of Samsun
Click for larger view

Background

Samsun [41° 18' N, 036° 21' E] with a population of about 725,000 is one of the largest natural harbors on the S. Black Sea. There is a Turkish saying "Black Sea has four harbors: Samsun, Trabzon, July, and August".

Samsun, the Greek Σαμψούντα, was founded by Ionian Greek colonists from Sinop in the 6th century BC, most likely attracted by the large harbor. They named the city Amisos. In the 5th century a second wave of colonists arrived, this time from distant Athens, led by Athenocles. The Athenians changed the name of the city from Amisos to Piraeus. Although the new name did not last for very long, the city flourished by trading with the interior of Anatolia.

In the Hellenistic times Mithridates VI Eupator expanded the city and built many temples. During the Third Mithridatic War Amisos was burned to the ground by the Roman general Lucullus. Later Lucullus, regretting his action, rebuilt the city. Pharnaces, the son of Mithridates, recaptured the city from the Romans. He in turn was defeated by Julius Caesar and the city became a Roman possession again. It was after this victory that Caesar sent to the Senate in Rome the message: Veni, Vidi, Vici (I went, I saw, I conquered).

After the Romans the city changed hands many times until 863 AD when it was taken from Omar, the emir of Melitene, by the Byzantines. In 1194 it was captured by the Seljuks. At various times it was held by the Komneni of Trapezun, the Mongols, and the Genoese. In 1425 the Ottomans captured it from the Genoese who, before abandoning the city, set it on fire.

In the late 19th century the city, dominated by a large Greek population, became very prosperous by exporting tobacco directly to Europe. On May 19, 1919 Atatürk landed in Samsun and proclaimed the Kemalist movement that led to the creation of modern Turkey. Following the 1923 exchange of population treaty, after the Greek-Turkish War, all of the Greek population of Samsun along with all the other Greeks of the Turkish Black Sea were forced to migrate.

Charts

• BA 2214 The Euxine or Black Sea
• BA 2237 Inceburun to Isikli Burnu
• BA 1272 Samsun
• NIMA 55100 Western Part of the Black Sea
• Turkey 123 Inceburum-Bafra
• Turkey 1311 Samsum

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Weather

See Turkey.

Approach and Navigation

The approaches to Samsum are straightforward.

Ports and Popular Stops

Samsum Harbor

The harbor of Samsum [41° 18.6' N 36° 20.4' E] is large, about 1 nM deep. It is mainly a commercial harbor with enormous cranes and it is very dirty. In fact it the dirtiest harbor I have ever been in (--Istioploos 02:53, 16 December 2008 (UTC)). You will be flaoting in unspeakable filth and be surounded by a smell to match it. Large fish, some as long as half a meter, are constantly jumping out of the water, which has the color of dark chocolate. Yet, it is very safe harbor. The Black Sea Cruising Guide advises to anchor off the "Yacht Club." Said club is a small club with a few sailing dinghies. It is hard to find. It is best to find Ergin Hut who is a personage in the harbor. Ergin Bey will help you either to anchor or to use one of his moorings. He can also make arrangements to get a barrel of fuel from which you will have to siphon into jerry cans. Ergin's "Office" Click for larger view From Ergin's Mooring Click for larger view

Chart of Samsun Harbor Click for larger view

Tourism & things to do ashore

While modern Samsun is a vibrant city with traffic and people but it is neither picturesque nor gracious. It is in fact an ugly dirty nondescript city with many stores, fishmongers, photo-copy stores, grocery stores, musical instrument stores etc. Lots of pedestrians. It is, however, a good starting place to explore the region, particularly the interior.

Amasya

Fuel & Water

Laundry

Grocery Stores

Eateries

Marine Stores & Facilities

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

• Samsun (Wikipedia)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Template:Guide1

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