Battle of Imbros (1717)

For the 1918 battle see Battle of Imbros (1918)

The Battle of Imbros took place on 12 , 13 and 16 June 1717 near Imbros in the Aegean Sea. It was a tough but ultimately fairly indecisive battle between a Venetian fleet, under Flangini, and an Ottoman fleet.

The Venetians had left Corfu on 10 May 1717 with 25 battleships, and were joined on 18 May by Gloria Veneta. On about 24 May they left for the Dardanelles Strait, anchoring off Imbros on 8 June.

On 10 June at 9am scouts reported that the Ottoman fleet were leaving the Dardanelles with 38 battleships and 6 galliots. Strong winds damaged some Venetian ships and they anchored again. It was impossible to weather Imbros so Flangini formed a line on the starboard tack heading toward Thasos. In the meantime the Ottoman fleet had anchored just outside the Dardanelles.

For 2 days Flangini tried to reach a favorable position but gave up because of strong winds and anchored in lee of Imbros about 12pm on 12 June. The wind then suddenly became ENE and the Ottoman fleet sailed. Because of the current, they reached the Venetians before there was time to form a correct line and Flangini signalled to form up in any order. At 3:30pm fighting began in the Rear with 8 Ottoman ships attacking Colomba, Trionfo (2nd flag of Diedo) and San Lorenzo. Colomba was hit by 2 huge stone shot and, leaking badly, left the line after 1 hour. By then the other ships were in a position to help, and by about 7pm the Ottoman ships retreated, after their fireship was sunk by Trionfo. In the Van, the Venetians had formed a good line of 1st-rates. At about 5pm these were attacked by the main group of Ottoman ships, the fighting lasting till about 9pm. That night, the Venetians, heavily damaged, sailed westward. German troops aboard the nearly sinking Colomba mutinied. Venetian casualties so far were about 570.

On 13 June the Venetians were near the western end of Lemnos, with the Ottoman fleet to the north. Flangini formed a line on the starboard tack. Colomba was to leeward, its place taken by Corona. Toward evening the Ottoman fleet sailed before a north wind and nearly cut off Trionfo and San Lorenzo, which had dropped back. Flangini turned to support them, and a change of wind to the west put him to windward, and the Ottoman fleet retired after only 2 of them had opened fire.

On 14 June the Venetians were between Lemnos and Mt Athos, with the Ottoman fleet to the NNW. The Venetians sailed westward, the Ottoman fleet eastward.

On 15 June the Venetians were becalmed between Mt Athos and Strati. They sailed north slightly in an attempt to get the wind gauge, but on 16 June the Ottoman fleet appeared to windward (NE). Flangini tried to form a NNW line but some ships couldn't keep station and he formed an ESE line instead. At about 9am fighting began in the Van and included all of the line in about 30 minutes. After 5 hours of fighting the Ottoman fleet withdrew with 6 ships badly damaged. Flangini was unconscious and no attempt was made by the Venetians to get the wind gauge, and they retired to Thermia. Venetian casualties were about 840, making about 1390 for the whole battle.

On 22 June the Ottoman fleet attacked the Venetian scouts. Flangini formed a battle line and the Ottoman fleet withdrew, only to arrive and break through the line later in July. Flangini died later that day.

Ships involved:

Venice (Flangini)

26 battleships

Ottoman Empire

38 battleships
6 galliots

References

• Naval wars in the Levant 1559-1853 - R. C. Anderson ISBN 1-57898-538-2