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Ottoman Kadirga Galley

Type Object Region Mediterranean Time 1561–1570

The main galley warship of the Ottoman navy, the kadirga was a large galley combining sail power for long voyages with oar power for maneuvering into…

Timeline

  1. 1561–1563Istanbul · Ottoman EmpireThe shipyards at the Golden Horn under the Kapudan Pasha (grand admiral) accelerated construction of large kadirga galleys, each equipped with dozens to over a hundred oars, a ram and cannons at the bow, stockpiling main warships for Mediterranean expeditions.
  2. 1566–1568Aegean Sea · Aegean SeaOttoman kadirga fleets maneuvered against Venetian and Habsburg forces among the Aegean islands, using oar-power superiority for close-range engagements and island blockades while employing sail power to shift forces rapidly between islands.
  3. 1570Navarino · PeloponneseDuring the War of Cyprus, a large number of kadirga galleys assembled along the western coast of Greece and at the entrance to the Adriatic, making final preparations for the decisive battle against the Holy League fleet, with the fleet reaching several hundred vessels.

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