Battle of Lepanto (1571)

The naval Battle of Lepanto took place on 7 October 1571, at the northern edge of the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth (then the Gulf of Lepanto), off western Greece. A galley fleet of the Holy League, a sometimes-flimsy coalition of Pope Pius V, Spain, the Venice, Genoa, Savoy, Naples, the Knights of Malta and others, defeated a force of Ottoman galleys. It was the final major naval battle in world history to take place between exclusively oared-galleys.

Deployment

The Christian fleet formed up in 4 divisions in a North-South line. At the northern end, closest to the coast, was the Left Division of 53 galleys, mainly Venetian; led by Agustino Barbarigo, with Marco Querini and Antonio da Canale in support. The Centre Division consisted of 62 galleys under Don Juan himself, along with Sebastian Veniero and Marcantonio Colonna. The Right Division to the south, consisted of another 53 galleys under Giovanni Andrea Doria. Two galleases were positioned in front of each main division, said by Cervantes (who served on one of these galleases during the battle) to have assumed these perilous positions to prevent the Turks from sneaking in in small boats, and sapping, sabotaging or boarding the Habsburg vessels. A further Reserve Division was stationed behind (that is, to the west of) the main fleet, to lend support wherever it might be needed. This reserve division consisted of 38 galleys - 30 behind the Centre Division commanded by Alvaro de Bazán, and 4 behind each wing. A scouting group was formed, from 2 Right and 6 Reserve galleys. As the Christian fleet was slowly turning around Point Scropha, Doria's Right Division at the off-shore side, was delayed at the start of the battle, and the Right's galleases did not get into position.

Related Topics:
Agustino Barbarigo - Marco Querini - Antonio da Canale - Sebastian Veniero - Marcantonio Colonna - Giovanni Andrea Doria - Alvaro de Bazán - Point Scropha

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The Turkish fleet consisted of 54 galleys and 2 galliots in its Right, or northern division, under Chulouk Bey; 61 galleys and 32 galliots in the Centre under Ali Pasha, and about 63 galleys and 30 galliots in the South off-shore; under Uluj Ali. A small reserve existed of 8 galleys, 22 galliots and 64 fustas, behind the Center body.

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