Battle of Focchies

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The naval Battle of Focchies took place on 12 May 1649, during the Cretan Wars, at Focchies, near İzmir (Smyrna) in western Turkey, when a Venetian fleet of 19 ships, under Giacomo Riva, defeated a Turkish fleet of 11 ships, 10 galleasses (mahons) and 72 galleys.

Blockade
A Venetian fleet had been blockading the Dardanelles Strait since about April 1648. On 19 November, most of the fleet withdrew, leaving 13 sailing ships, under Riva. In Spring 1649 he was joined by Bertucci Civrano with 7 more, making 19 as he had lost 1.

Chase
Early in May, the Turkish fleet appeared from Istanbul. Only 2 of Riva's ships attacked them, and the Turks made it out of the Strait and headed south. Riva followed and caught them at the port of Focchies, on the mainland. Many of the Venetian ships were hired Dutch or English vessels, and Riva had to promise to compensate their captains for any damage.

Battle
When it became apparent that the Venetians were going to attack, the 10 galleasses covered the entrance to the port, with the galleys further in. 1 Turkish sailing ship was captured by Mercante Diletto and Jupiter, 1 galleass by James (Captain George Scot), which was so damaged it sank 10 days later, and 1 galley was brought off by her own slaves. 9 sailing ships, 3 galleasses and 2 galleys were burnt before the wind changed, preventing the fire from spreading to other Turkish ships and causing the Venetians to withdraw as the burning ships were blown toward them. 3 Venetian ships didn't fight: Esperienza which kept out to sea, and Francese and San Bartolamio (Captain Alardi), which were abandoned by their crews. San Bartolamio was recovered by Tre Re but Francese ran ashore and was burnt by the Turks.

The Venetians suffered 105 casualties. The Turks lost 9 ships, 3 galleasses and 2 galleys burnt, while 1 of each type was captured.

Ships involved:

[edit] Venice (Giacomo Riva)

Many were hired English or Dutch vessels

Rotta Fortuna (flag)
Croce Dorata
Tre Re
Mercante Diletto (English Merchant's Delight?)
Principessa (flag 2?)
James (English?/Scottish?) - Sank 22 May
San Felippe
Carita (Dutch Lieffde)
Esperienza
Giudizio di Salomon (Dutch Salomons Gerecht)
Madonna della Vigna (Dutch)
Jupiter (Dutch)
Profeta Samuel
Amburgense
Sacrificio d'Abram (Dutch Abrahams Offerand)
Fregata Contarini
Orca Negro
San Bartolamio (French?)
Francese (French?) - Abandoned, aground and burnt