SULTAN SOLEIMAN’S EXPEDITION TO CORFU.
The cause of this expedition was this. In the time of Sultan Mohammed Khan, the conqueror, the kingdom of Puglia had been subdued, but when Keduk Ahmed Pasha succeeded to it, Spain demanded its restoration. The warlike emperor therefore determined to send a large fleet to that quarter; for the Grand Vizier Eias Pasha represented that the sanjaks of Avlona and Delvina, situated opposite to Puglia, being now subject to the Porte, the reduction of this territory ought to be considered a matter of importance to the state. Kemal Reis, however, having recommended the capture of Corfu in the first place, the Sultan resolved upon going thither in person, and on a Friday, in the middle of Zilhijé 943 (May 1537), Lutfi Pasha being then commander of the fleet, Khair-ad-din sailed for the Mediterranean with one hundred and thirty-five galleys and other vessels, amounting in all to two hundred and eighty. Never before had so large a fleet sailed. Thirty thousand sailors had been collected from all parts of the Ottoman dominions. On the 7th of Zilhijé (17th May) the illustrious emperor with his two sons left the capital, and set out on his journey, taking Smako on the way. About the end of Moharrem, 944 (A. D. 1533), they passed Albassan, and on the fifth of Seffer entered the plains of Avlona, where they had a sight of the royal fleet, which had arrived and lay off that coast.
The Vezier Mustaffa Pasha, having been charged with the subjugation of that part of Albania which was in rebellion, proceeded thither, and subdued it, plundering the inhabitants. Avlona being bounded on the west by the sea, and on the east by rebellious Albania, the natives of which held intercourse with the infidel ships, by the advice of Eias Pasha the whole of that line of country was subjugated; and the rebels of Delvina having also submitted, territory to the extent of two sanjaks was thus added to the Sublime Porte.
When the whole fleet was collected opposite Avlona, sixty vessels were consigned to Khair-ad-din to conduct those that were bringing provisions from Egypt. The chief commander, Lutfi Pasha, taking charge of the remaining vessels, went over to the Puglia coasts, and attacked a few castles, which he rased, first securing the prisoners and their wealth.
As Khair-ad-din was passing the island of Corfu, about forty Venetian galleys that were lying in the neighbourhood, seeing his fleet, and supposing that he was leaving altogether, resolved to join the rest of their fleet, which was then in the Gulf of Venice. On their way to the rendezvous they were met by Lutfi Pasha on his return from Puglia, who gave them battle, sunk two of their ships, took two, and the rest escaped to Corfu. Khair-ad-din then brought his provision-ships to Prevesa, and thence sailed to Avlona, where the sultans fleet had again assembled.