The History of the Maritime Wars of the Turks. Chapters I. to IV. — John Shaqi
The History of the Maritime Wars of the Turks. Chapters I. to IV.Kâtip Çelebi
History
The History of the Maritime Wars of the Turks. Chapters I. to IV.
Kâtip Çelebi
Turkey -- History -- 1453-1683; Turkey -- History, Naval
Soon after the capture of Constantinople, the cazy and inhabitants of
Ferra having represented that they were much annoyed by the wickedness
of the Infidels of Enos, his Majesty (Sultan Mohammed) instantly
resolved on subjugating those rebels; in consequence of which, Khass
Ionas was summoned to the Sublime Porte, and his Majesty having
communicated his design, ordered him to collect all the troops that
were at hand; to fit out ten triremes, and sail with all possible
haste to the appointed place. He further charged him not to disclose
the place of their destination to any one, till they reached it;
whilst he himself would lead on his victorious army by land. Ionas
Beg, in conformity with his instructions, put out to sea, and with
favourable winds, in a short time arrived at the castle, to which he
laid siege. The imperial banners of victory, being equally expeditious,
were also raised; and the Infidels, being filled with terror, offered
stipulations, and surrendered the fortress. Ionas Beg after this, by
the sultans command, attacked another castle on the island of Tashūz
(Tasse), opposite Enos, which he reduced, and returned.
THE EXPEDITION TO AMASSERO, SINOPE, AND TREBISOND.
In the year of the Hejra 864 (A. D. 1459), the victorious sultan,
Mohammed Khan, proceeded by land to reduce Amassero, a castle on the
shores of the Black Sea; and at the same time sent forward other
forces by sea. Being again crowned with success, he turned his
attention to Sinope, then occupied by Ismael Beg, son of Isfendiar;
and the grand vizier, Mohammed Pasha, having fitted up a fleet of one
hundred vessels, manned by warlike heroes, set sail, and on his way to
Trebisond touched at Sinope, where the land forces having also arrived,
they besieged the castle both by sea and land. The helpless Emir Ismael
surrendered without resistance, and delivered the castle to the Sublime
Porte. Having, besides this, subjugated Kastamouni, the victorious
fleet proceeded towards Sinope, whither the imperial forces also
marched; and after a short siege, the enemy stipulated, and surrendered
the city.
In the European history, which I translated from the Latin into
Turkish, I have mentioned that at this time Ismael Beg built a very
large ship of nine hundred tons. This vessel the Emperor sent to
Constantinople. About the same time Alfonso, the king of Aragonia,
built a vessel which held four thousand tons; and soon after built two
others, which in point of size had never been equalled, but they could
not use them; and striking against each other in the harbour, they were
dashed to pieces.
The Venetians also at this period, having made peace with the Genoese,
began to build immense vessels. Sultan Mahommed at the same time built
one of three thousand tons, but, as they were launching it, it sunk in
the harbour, and the builders were obliged to fly. _Ton_ (_fouchi_) is
a phrase peculiar to ships of the ocean, and is used to designate their
size.
THE EXPEDITION TO METYLINI.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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