Black Sea Allied Fleet Deployment
British and French warships enter the Black Sea, increasing pressure on Russia while supporting the Ottoman alliance.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1854 in Great Britain
Explore 133 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1854.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1854
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 133 unique records.
133Unique records
1 of 4Page
26Named events on this page
14Named people on this page
10Places on this page
January
Blockade of Black Sea
France and Britain send a joint fleet to the Black Sea and ally themselves with Turkey.
Allied Fleet Enters Black Sea
Leads British warships into the Black Sea as Allied naval pressure on Russia increases.
Paddington Station
The first Great Western Railway service departs from Brunel's new Paddington Station before completion of the roof.
February
Command Appointment
Receives command of the British expeditionary army.
Convention
The British Government recognizes the Independence of the Orange free state
Free State
The British Government recognizes the Independence of the Orange free state
March
Budget
Gladstone has to increase expenditure on the Services and a vote of credit of pounds 1,250,000 is taken to send a 25,000 to the East so the deficit for the year would be pounds 2,840,000 but Gladstone refuses to borrow the money needed to cover
Budget
Gladstones 3rd budget, by May pounds 6,870,000 is needed to finance the Crimean war so Gladstone raises the income tax from 10 and a half pence to 14d and to raise pounds 3,250,000; spirits, malt, and sugar are taxed to raise the rest of the
Budget
money needed.
Budget
the deficit and increases the income tax by one half from sevenpence to tenpence-halfpenny in the pound (from 2.92% to 4.38%)
Budget
Introduces a wartime budget as Britain enters the Crimean War and government expenditure rises.
Income Tax
92% to 4. 38%)
Income Tax
Gladstone has to increase expenditure on the Services and a vote of credit of pounds 1,250,000 is taken to send a 25,000 to the East so the deficit for the year would be pounds 2,840,000 but Gladstone refuses to borrow the money needed to cover
Income Tax
Gladstones 3rd budget, by May pounds 6,870,000 is needed to finance the Crimean war so Gladstone raises the income tax from 10 and a half pence to 14d and to raise pounds 3,250,000; spirits, malt, and sugar are taxed to raise the rest of the
Income Tax
money needed.
Income Tax
the deficit and increases the income tax by one half from sevenpence to tenpence-halfpenny in the pound (from 2.
Birth of Alfred Milner
Birth of Alfred Milner
Declaration of War
After Russia ignores an Anglo-French ultimatum to withdraw from the Danubian Principalities, Great Britain and France formally declare war.
Declaration of War
Declares war after Russia refuses to leave the Danubian Principalities.
Alliance Britain and France
Concludes an alliance between Britain and France.
Mobilization
A joint Anglo-French force is moved to Varna to repel the Russian Invasion of Bulgaria.
April
Flag of Truce Incident
Sends a boat under a flag of truce into Odessa, where Russian fire triggers a diplomatic and naval confrontation.
Oxford University
Makes Maiden Speech in Parliament agaist the 2nd Reading of the Oxford University Bill
Speech
Makes Maiden Speech in Parliament agaist the 2nd Reading of the Oxford University Bill
Alliance Britain and France
Britain and France agree an alliance.
Bombardment of Odessa
Directs British ships in the Anglo-French bombardment of Russian military facilities at Odessa.
Bombardment of Odessa
Commands HMS Arethusa and engages Russian batteries during the Allied attack on Odessa.
May
SS Great Eastern
The keel of SS Great Eastern is laid at John Scott Russell's shipyard in Millwall.
Capture of Piraeus
Anglo-French forces occupy Piraeus to prevent the Greek fleet from aiding Russia.
Commander British Army
Commands the British expeditionary force cooperating with the French army in the eastern theatre.
Occupation
Anglo-French forces occupy Piraeus to prevent the Greek Fleet from assisting Russia.
Occupation of Piraeus
Supports occupying Piraeus to prevent Greek aid to Russia.
Paddington Station
Brunel's permanent Paddington Station formally opens with a three-span wrought-iron and glazed train shed.
Defence of Silistria
Assists the Ottoman defence of Silistria and helps strengthen its resistance to Russian siege operations.
Defence of Silistria
Enters Silistria with irregular troops and reinforces the garrison during the Russian siege.
Defence of Silistria
Advises the defenders of Silistria and contributes to the successful resistance against the Russian siege.
Royal Albert Bridge
Construction begins on Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge across the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall.
Trafalgar Relief
Completes one of the bronze reliefs on Nelson's Column.
June
New Street Station
Birmingham New Street opens as a central station serving several railway companies.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.