Chapter IV

Of the Expeditions of the Capudans, from the time
of Khair-ad-din Pasha till that of Pialeh Pasha 70

The Expeditions of Mohammed Pasha ib.

The Capture of Tripoli by Senan Pasha ib.

Expedition of Piri Reis to the Eastern Ocean 71

Second Expedition of Piri Pasha to the Eastern Ocean ib.

Expedition of Murad Pasha to India 72

Account of Seidi Ali, Capudan ib.

Expedition of Seidi Ali to the Eastern Ocean 73

The Engagement between Seidi Ali and the Portuguese 74

Second Expedition of Seidi Ali against the Capudan
of Goa ib.

The Result of Seidi Ali’s Expedition to the Indian Ocean 75

Account of a Whirlpool ib.

The Expedition of Senan Pasha 77

The Appearance of Torghudjeh Beg ib.

The Occurrence at Jarba 78

Capture of Infidel Vessels 79

The Visit of Torghudjeh to Moghreb, &c. ib.

The Expedition of Torghudjeh to Bastia 80

HISTORY

OF

THE MARITIME WARS OF THE TURKS.

AUTHOR’S PREFACE.

_In the Name of the Compassionate and Merciful God,—and on him we rely._

In commencing the History of the Conqueror of the World, it is proper that all due praise should be ascribed to the Lord of the Earth and Time, who, according to the signification of the sacred verse, “_Certainly my Hosts shall be victorious_,” hath strengthened the armies of the Faithful: and having by his revealed decree and promise, “_I will fill with awe the hearts of the Unbelievers_,” terrified the enemies of the Faith: has also by his command, “_When ye meet them be steady_,” rendered permanent the power and victory of the True Believers.

And salutations of joy and songs of peace be ascribed to our Prophet, the Lord of Creation, Mohammed Mustaffa, (upon whom be the peace of God!) who, by the divine Oracle, “_The cities shall be opened to you_,” preached his glorious religion, which he has bequeathed as an invaluable treasure to his illustrious household and posterity till the day of the resurrection. Thus, in confirmation of his divine prediction, in the year one thousand and fifty-five from the flight of the Prophet (A.D. 1645), amongst other victories, he vanquished the island of Candia; so that in the space of ten years its capital and all the other forts and towns came, one by one, into the hands of the Faithful. By these means several circumstances having transpired, which on some occasions, through negligence and want of management, tended to the advantage of the Infidels, the author of these pages, Haji Khalifeh, according to the verse of Muttanabbi, the prince of poets, “Thou hast no squadrons to bring forward, nor property to present; if therefore thy state is not happy, let at least thy words be acceptable,” in order to manifest a zeal for religion, and the defence of the Faithful; and having in view the establishment of the Ottoman power, and the destruction of the Unbelievers, has related how the ancient kings spoke with maledictions on this subject, and the reasons of their rage and hatred; the battles of celebrated admirals and captains; the opinions and deliberations of the experienced and wise; and several other matters pertaining to expeditions and fleets. These he called, “A Gift to the Great respecting Naval Expeditions;” and having completed it, he presented it at the feet of the Lord of Munificence, the Illustrious of the World, the Sovereign of the Land and Ocean, Attendant of the two Holy Cities (Mecca and Medina), Sultan Mohammed Khan, son of Sultan Ibrahim Khan, (may God perpetuate his kingdom, and continue his power to the end of time!) with the hope that, considering its usefulness, he would be pleased to bestow his approbation.

This Epitome then consists of an Introduction, two parts, and a Conclusion.