Battle of Matapan
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- For the Second World War battle, see Battle of Cape Matapan
| Battle of Matapan | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Ottoman-Venetian War (1714-18) | |||||||
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| Combatants | |||||||
| Ottoman Empire | Venice Portugal Malta Papal States |
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| Commanders | |||||||
| Kapudan Pasha | Diedo | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 52 ships 4 galleys |
33 ships 24 galleys 2 others |
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| Casualties | |||||||
| No ships | 2 ships | ||||||
The naval Battle of Matapan took place on 19 July 1717 in the Cape Matapan, of the coast of the Mani Peninsula in southern Greece, between the combined forces of Venice, Portugal, the Papal States and Malta, under Venetian commander Diedo, and the Turkish fleet, under Kapudan Pasha (chief admiral) Ibrahim Pasha. It was fairly indecisive although the Allied force lost 2 ships and had many badly damaged, while the Turks lost no ships.
Contents |
[edit] Events
Diedo's 24 sailing ships met up with Pisani's 24 galleys and Maltese leader Belle Fontaine's 9 Portuguese-Maltese ships near Cape Matapan on 2 July. After trying separately to find an advantageous position with respect to the Turks for several weeks, occasionally having to land to find water, the Allied force went to Marathonisi, near the top of the Gulf of Matapan, to water. They had tried to make it to Sapienza but winds were against them and they took the risk of being caught in the gulf.
Despite having the galleys tow the sailing ships south, there were not enough galleys, and the Turks, with 52 sailing ships, including about 44 battleships, and 4 galleys, were seen to the south, at the west side of the bay entrance, on 19 July. With a light wind from the SSE, this meant that they had the advantage. Diedo, unable to sail to the west of the Turks, decided to sail slowly east, across the bay.
The fleet was in 4 divisions: Diedo was in the Van, which was led by his 2nd in command, Correr. The 3rd or Rear Division was commanded by Dolfin. The 4th or Allied Division was commanded by Belle Fontaine.
Ibrahim with 6 ships attacked the Rear Division at about 6am, while the rest of his fleet went ahead and attacked the Van and Center. At about 12pm the fleets were approaching the east side of the bay, and shortly after the leading ships turned, the wind turned from the SE, putting the leading Venetian ships to windward of some of the Turks for the first time. Taking advantage of this, Diedo attacked them and the tough battle continued. At about 3pm the Turks retired, sailing for the Cervi-Cerigo passage, while the Allies sailed for Cape Matapan. Neither side wished to continue the fight.
Each Allied state gave their own ships complete credit for any achievements, some accounts being almost totally unreliable, including forces which weren't present for the battle, etc.
The Venetians lost one battleship being used as a hospital ship and one fireship and many vessels were badly damaged. Their casualties were 223 killed and 357 wounded (some slight dispute over figures). The Turks lost no ships.
Ships involved:
[edit] Allies (Diedo)
Van Division (in order)
Madonna della Salute (Correr)
Madonna dell' Arsenal 70/80
Costanza 76/80
Trionfo 70/80 (flag)
San Pio V 70/80
Aquila Valiera
Leone Trionfante 80
San Francesco 60?
? (fireship, captain Trivisan) - Scuttled
Center and Rear Divisions
San Andrea 60
Sacra Lega 60
Valor Coronato 54
Nettuno 50/60
San Lorenzo Giustinian 70/80
Rosa 60
Fenice 56
Fede Guerriera 56
Corona 70/80
Columba d'Oro 70/80
Terror 70/80
Aquileta 50/60
San Pietro Apostolo 60?
Gloria Veneta 70/80
Grand Alessandro 70/80 (Rear flag of Dolfin)
Fourth (Allied) Division (first 7 Portuguese, last 2 Maltese)
Conceição 80
Nossa Senhora do Pilar 84
Assumpção 66/70
Nossa Senhora das Necessidades 66
Santa Rosa 66/70
Rainha dos Anjos 56/58
San Lourenço 56
Fortuna Guerriera
Santa Caterina 70
San Raimondo 46
Unknown division
Nostra Signora del Rosario/Madonna del Rosario (converted from 60? to hospital ship) - Sunk
Galleys
13 Venetian
5 Maltese
4 Papal
2 Tuscan
[edit] Turkey (Ibrahim)
52 sailing ships, including about 44 battleships
4 galleys
[edit] References
- Naval battles in the Levant 1559-1853 (1952) - R. C. Anderson
