It took place on 11 August 1791 off the coast of Cape Kaliakra, Bulgaria, in the Black Sea.

The Russian fleet under Counter (Rear) Admiral Fyodor Ushakov,[1] of 15 ships of the line and two frigates (990 guns), and several small craft sailed from Sevastopol on 8 August, and at midday on 11 August encountered the Ottoman–Algerian fleet under Hussein Pasha of 18 ships of the line and 17 frigates (1,500–1,600 guns) and some smaller craft at anchor just south of Cape Kaliakra.

Gradually the Turks turned to the south and when darkness put an end to fighting at 20:30 (8:30 p.m.) they were in full retreat to Istanbul.

Ottoman casualty figures are unknown, but their ships were heavily damaged aloft.

For the victory at Cape Kaliakra, the Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky was awarded to Admiral Ushakov.