Maltese Galley
1571
(Johann Wolkersdorfer JW 41M)
- Class: Galley
- Displacement:
- Dimensions: 155 x 26 ft.
- Armament:
- Complement: 270
- Service: At the Battle of Lepanto, 7 October 1571, the Knights of Malta could provide only three galleys to the Christian fleet, but they were given the place of utmost danger and corresponding honor on the right wing, where they faced the squadron of El Louck Ali, ablest of the Turkish commanders. Ali overwhelmed the Christians wing and boarded the Capitana of the the Order, but it was defended with such ferocity that when retaken, only two knights were found alive; the Order's General, Pietro Giustiniani was found with five arrows in his body, while around him and his companions lay 300 Turks who had been killed seizing the vessel. The crews of two of the Knights' three galleys were almost annihilated.
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