Mediterranean Naval Battles That Changed the World by Quentin Russell

Author:Quentin Russell [Quentin Russell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The Battle of Lepanto based on a 1572 etching by Fernando Bertelli attributed to Ignazio Dianti showing the disposition of the two fleets. (The Vatican Gallery of Maps, public domain)

With the Ottoman fleet just 10 miles away, there was no longer any option of retreat for the Holy League, and Don Juan hoisted a green flag and a gun was fired, the signals for battle. As the Christian fleet rounded the islands from the north into the Gulf of Patras it had been sailing into a mild easterly wind, and Don Juan had deployed the majority of his lighter more manoeuvrable galleys on the left, close to the shore. Sailing into the wind made forming the battle lines difficult and slow for the League’s ships, especially for the lighter ones, whereas the Ottomans had the wind at their backs. It was imperative for both fleets to keep the lines intact. To do this, vessels had to maintain their position and not lag behind, leaving a gap in the line, or go too fast, as an isolated ship was an easy target, all the while keeping a distance to prevent the clash of oars. Ali Pasha’s Sultana was to act as his fleet’s front marker, with orders that no one should get ahead on pain of death.

The fleets approached one another at walking pace. In the van of the Christian fleet were the six galleasses, two sailing about a quarter of a mile in front of the main body of ships. These slower bulky floating fortresses were being towed forward into position, two before each division, by eight galleys taken from the rearguard. Around mid-morning the wind dropped and changed direction, blowing from the west, a sign interpreted as Divine intervention by the Christians. This not only gave some relief to their oarsmen, but it would allow them more time to grab their weapons as soon as they encountered the enemy. Even at this late stage, the Christian purpose of the expedition was not allowed to be forgotten. Each ship had a priest on board and Mass had been said every day. The Pope had insisted on the discouragement of blasphemy and gambling, no easy task amongst hardened soldiers, sailors and galley slaves, and Don Juan had felt obliged to hang some miscreants at Messina to set an example.

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