On this day 26 June - the Third Battle of the Dardanelles

On the 26th of June 1656, the Third Battle of the Dardanelles between the Venetians and the Ottomans started. As the two powers were fighting for control of the island of Crete, the Venetians tried to prevent the Ottomans from transporting supplies and reinforcements to the island. In the latter part of May, the Venetians, under the command of Lorenzo Marcello, arrived outside the Dardanelles Strait. A couple of weeks later, they were reinforced by Maltese galleys under the command of Gregorio Carafa. On June 23, an Ottoman fleet, under the command of Kenan (Chinam) Pasha arrived. On the morning of the 26th, Kenan’s ships had favorable winds and were sailing effectively toward their destination, when the winds changed enabling the Venetians to attack with destructive force. The 27th witnessed small skirmishes before the battle finally ended. The Venetians, though losing their commander to cannon fire on the 26th, won a decisive victory. Out of the 28 sailing ships, 9 galleasses and 61 galleys that comprised the Ottoman fleet, only 2 sailing ships and 14 galleys escaped. Additionally, approximately 5,000 Christian slaves onboard the Ottoman vessels were liberated.

The Battle:

Attachment 5696

The Dardanelles Strait:

Attachment 5697

For more on today’s event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_...anelles_(1656)

Nice post !