In the European history, which I translated from the Latin into Turkish, I have mentioned that at this time Ismael Beg built a very large ship of nine hundred tons. This vessel the Emperor sent to Constantinople. About the same time Alfonso, the king of Aragonia, built a vessel which held four thousand tons; and soon after built two others, which in point of size had never been equalled, but they could not use them; and striking against each other in the harbour, they were dashed to pieces.
The Venetians also at this period, having made peace with the Genoese, began to build immense vessels. Sultan Mahommed at the same time built one of three thousand tons, but, as they were launching it, it sunk in the harbour, and the builders were obliged to fly. Ton (fouchi) is a phrase peculiar to ships of the ocean, and is used to designate their size.
THE EXPEDITION TO METYLINI.
In the year of the Hejra 866 (A. D. 1461), the emperor having returned from an expedition to Wallachia, he made preparations for the capture of Meddeli (Metylini); for which purpose he proceeded to the neighbourhood of Gallipoli, and there gave orders for the preparing of the fleet. When the Constantinople ships had also arrived, they set sail; whilst his Majesty, with the Imperial and Anatolian troops, having passed the Strait at Gallipoli, proceeded to Ayazmend; and the ships, tall as mountains, anchored opposite Metylini. When the forces were about to commence an attack, the governor of the island came out, offered stipulations, and surrendered the garrison. His private property they returned to him, and sent him to his own country. Having established laws, and divided the island, they left the natives as subjects, registered the houses, and returned.
THE EXPEDITION TO THE NEGROPONT.
In the year 872 (A. D. 1467), the army having returned from an expedition into Caramania, a complaint was made that the Venetian general with upwards of sixty vessels had made an attack upon Enos; taken prisoners the cazy, the khatib (priest), and several Mussulmans; and had plundered the neighbouring district. In consequence of this, Mahmood Pasha was ordered to proceed to Gallipoli to collect the fleet; and on this occasion all the vessels on the Ottoman coasts were given in charge to him. Among the Greek islands, the Negropont still remained in the hands of the Christians; and from its channel the Mussulmans received much harm; whereas the general, from his avarice, exacted a great revenue from the inhabitants of the island.
In 873, therefore, the victorious forces proceeded both by land and water towards the island; and the pasha having made all preparations for its attack, besieged it with upwards of one hundred ships. The bridges, which had been cut down, were supplied by suspending temporary ones from the vessels, by means of which the soldiers ascended the castle and mounted the battlements. Just at this time the general, with eighty vessels, arrived, to give assistance to the besieged; but when he saw the Mussulman forces, he cast anchor and looked on with despair. His intention was, that whilst the Mussulman vessels were cruising about the island, he also would approach it on one side, and thus prevent its capture; and for this purpose he sent out several caicks to endeavour to take some one from whom they might learn the day of the intended attack. One of the Mahommedan men who had deserted went over to the ships of the Infidels, and being found by the spies was immediately taken before the general, who ascertained from him that the criers had announced that the attack was to take place in three days. The general anxiously waited for that day, and began to make preparations for the combat; but those on the other side having learned that the enemy was informed of their designs, resolved to attack the castle without further delay; and the same night the criers raising their voices to the stars, proclaimed that the morrow should be the day of plunder, and admonished the soldiers to be in readiness. As soon as it was morning, and long before the Infidels had opened their eyes, the soldiers, in the hope of plunder, assaulted the castle, and entered it by the breaches they had made. Those who were considered fit for service were made captives, and the rest were killed; whilst the victors were enriched with money and property beyond compute. In the forenoon the colours hoisted on the tower caught the eyes of the Infidels, who were so mortified that they spread their sails, and turned their helms. After this fine fortification was reduced, the victors proceeded to the small fort called Kuzil Hissar, situated on the banks of the island, and in which the treasury of the Infidels was deposited. This they also subjugated, and the property they found in it they transferred to the royal treasury; and with cheerfulness of mind returned to the seat of dominion.
THE EXPEDITION TO KAFA AND AZAK.
The territory of Kafa, lying on the shores of the Black Sea, having for many ages been in the possession of the Genoese, the Turkish and Tartar princes, though united by their proximity to each other, had never, as yet, on account of its strong fortifications, been able to reduce it. In 880 (A. D. 1475), the victorious sultan Mohammed Khan, having resolved upon its subjugation, gave orders to Keduk Ahmed Pasha to prepare the fleet. The pasha immediately collected a number of galleys, triremes, &c., amounting in all to three hundred vessels, and having prepared his Janissaries and Azabs,[6] kissed his hand, and according to custom bowed to the princes and nobles; after which he left the divan, went down to the harbour and embarked. With favourable winds he arrived in a short time on the shores of Kafa, where he landed and laid siege to the castle.[7] The Christians not daring to stand against the arms of the Faithful, delivered up the castle with stipulations, and left it. The castle being taken, they proceeded to subjugate its dependencies; and Azak, which is the boundary of the Sakalaba kingdoms,[8] being also reduced, by proper management they subjugated all the disaffected. The people of Kafa had their rights restored to them, and the place became subject to the Ottoman power. The date of this victory was called A Favour.[9]