Action of 21 June 1655

This battle took place on 21 June 1655 inside the mouth of the Dardanelles Strait. It was a clear victory for Venice over the Ottoman Empire.

The Venetians, under Luigi Mocenigo, continued their strategy of blockading the Dardanelles, to prevent the Turks from resupplying their forces in the Aegean Sea. The orders were the same as for the previous year - remain at anchor until the Turkish fleet passed, then attack the rear - and this time the plan worked. The previous Kapudan Pasha, Murad, had been promoted to Grand Vizir and his replacement, Mustapha, had 36 sailing ships, 8 galleasses and 60 galleys, as well as perhaps several galleys from outside the Dardanelles. Once again, the Turks were arranged in 3 lines abreast: Sailing ships, then galleasses, then galleys. The Venetians had 26 sailing ships, 4 galleasses and 6 galleys.

As the Turks advanced, one galleass was sunk and one galley burnt and the rowing vessels retreated, after which the Venetians attacked the Turkish sailing ships, resulting in 9 being burnt and 2 wrecked. The only Venetian loss was "David Golia", which was burnt. Venetian casualties exclusive of the sunken ship were 126 killed and 180 wounded. 358 Turks were taken prisoner.

Ships involved:

Venice (Luigi Mocenigo)

(most were hired from the Netherlands, Britain and France)
"?" ("capitana")
"Aquila Coronata"
"Concordia"
"Profeta Samuel"
"Tomaso Francesco"
"Campo d'Oche"
"Principessa grande"
"Tre Re"
"Croce d'Oro"
"Sacrificio d'Abramo"
"Lepre Rosso"
"Principessa piccola"
"Corona"
"Gallo d'Oro"
"Ercole grande"
"Re David"
"Isabella Maria"
"David Golia" (sunk)
"Pesce Triglio"
"Ercole piccolo"
"Arma di Nassau"
"Lionessa"
"Arma di Lech"
"Sant' Antonio di Padova"
"Leon Negro"
6 galleys
4 galleasses

Turkey (Mustapha)

36 sailing ships - 9 burnt, 2 wrecked
8 galleasses - 1 sunk
60 galleys - 1 burnt

References

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