War was declared between England and Russia in March 1854 and the first contingents of troops were landed at Scutari, in the Crimea, at the end of April. The harbour facilities at Scutari were totally inadequate however for the large-scale movement of troops and materials and the allies were therefore obliged to establish an entry port at another site, preferably nearer the centre of military operations. They chose the shelter of Balaklava Bay and this dealt with all incoming shipments of men and supplied as well as some naval maintenance thereafter.