Battle of Matapan

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Matapan
partof=the Ottoman-Venetian War of 1714-18


caption=
date=19 July 1717
place=Near Cape Matapan, southern Greece
result=Indecisive
combatant1=
combatant2=
commander1=Kapudan Pasha Ibrahim Pasha
commander2=Diedo
Lopo Furtado de Mendonça, 1st Count of Rio Grande
strength1=52 ships
4 galleys
strength2=33 ships
24 galleys
2 others
casualties1= No ships
casualties2= 2 shipsThe naval Battle of Matapan took place on 19 July 1717 off the Cape Matapan, on the coast of the Mani Peninsula in southern Greece, between the combined naval forces of Venice, Portugal, the Papal States and Malta, under Venetian commander Diedo, and the Ottoman fleet, under Kapudan Pasha Ibrahim Pasha. It was fairly indecisive although the Allied force lost 2 ships and had many badly damaged, while the Turks lost no ships.

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 of these accounts are almost totally unreliable due to a variety of reasons--for example, their inclusion of forces which were not actually present for the battle.

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

Christian Allies

Van Division

"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 Division

(first 7 Portuguese, last 2 Maltese)
"Conceição" 80
"Nossa Senhora do Pilar" 84
"Assunção" 66/70
"Nossa Senhora das Necessidades" 66
"Santa Rosa" 66/70
"Rainha dos Anjos" 56/58
"São Lourenço" 56
"Fortuna Guerreira"
"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

Ottomans

52 sailing ships, including about 44 battleships
4 galleys

References

*"Naval battles in the Levant 1559-1853" (1952) - R. C. Anderson