Ottoman warships lying off Prevesa in June 1817 commanded by the Vizier Ali Pasha

In the book Parga, and the Ionian Islands etc. (1821, p. 289) is a letter published titled "Deposition of Antonio Vassila, dispatched to the Seaport of San Giovanni, for the purpose of obtaining some information from the Continent", dated 26 June 1817. It gives some information about the armed vessels available at Prevesa, commanded by the Vizier Ali Pasha. At those vessels were ordered to be fitted out and to be ready to depart from Parga 6 July. The Captain Gianni, an officer in the navy of the Vizier was sent to Parga. At Prevesa were lying 2 light frigate, 2 sloops, 1 cutter, 1 brig, 1 xebecq, 4 galliots, 11 gun boats, 18 large launches and 10 armed merchant vessels of various burthen.

A second letter dated published in this book (p. 291), dated 28 June 1817 was titled "Deposition of Giannachi Dessila, who was dispatched to Prevesa, for the purpose of collecting information in that part, deposed in the presence of the Lieutenant-Colonel Commander, as follows; viz.". The writer mentioned that on the day of his arrival at Prevesa, 8 gun boats and 3 galliots were ready to depart seawards and all masters were busy with fitting out the larger vessels for duty on sea, especially a light frigate and a brig. He heard while he was ashore that 20 June that one order was given to fit out all the vessels off Prevesa. There was a second order to collect another 110 seamen, namely 20 from Misolongio, 10 from Avatolico and 80 from Galaxidi and another 12 brigs from the islands of Spécié, to be fitted out in the same way as the other vessels. A report from the Vizier suggested that the vessels were destined towards the Archipelago for a cargo of grain. However the public impression was an attack on Parga. Six days later the ships, commanded by Zekiriam Bey, departed towards Ioannanina.

Source

Lieut.-col. C.P. de Bosset. Parga, and the Ionian Islands; comprehensive A reputation of the mis-statements of the quarterly review and of lieut-gen. sir Thomas Maitland, on the subject; with a report of the trial between that officer and the author. London, 1821.