Photograph of Fort Nicholas at Sevastopol harbour. In the foreground are the docks, with rubble and wooden carriages amongst the buildings. Fort Nicholas, a low stone building, can be seen across the water behind. Ships are visible in the sea beyond. During the Crimean War the entrance to Sevastopol harbour was defended by a number of forts. In order to prevent the re-establishment of Sevastopol as a Russian stronghold the French destroyed Fort Nicholas in February 1856.