Azov

Azov, SEA OF, named after the town, is a large gulf of the Black Sea, formed by the Crimean peninsula, or rather an inland lake connected with the Black Sea by the Strait of Yenikale or Kertch (anc. Bosporus Cimmerius), 28 miles long, and barely 4 wide at the narrowest. The intricate Siwash or Putrid Sea, which is just a succession of swamps, is cut off from the western portion of the Sea of Azov by the long narrow slip of low sandy land called the Peninsula of Arabat. The ancient name of the Sea of Azov was Palus Mæotis or 'Mæotic Marsh,' from the Mæotæ dwelling on its shores; by the Turks it is called Balik-Denghis, or 'Fish Sea,' from its abundance of fish. The water is almost fresh. The whole sea is shallow, from 3 to 52 feet deep; and measuring 235 by 110 miles, it occupies an area of 14,500 sq. m. The largest river emptying into it is the Don. During the Crimean war, an expedition, having on board 16,500 English, French, and Turks, was sent to this sea in May 1855, which bombarded the ports, and cut off supplies intended for Sebastopol.