Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for several reasons. That's quite a pity while these books contains useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible.
p. 241. “Three different rates of ships compose the Turkish armaments. Those of three
p. 242: decks are the first. The length of these is 60 ells, and the ell of the Arsenal of Constantinople contains two geometrical feet and a half. Each of these ships carries 106 pieces of brass cannon: and, in order to render such ant-unwieldy machine a little manageable, the masts and the fails are of an enormous size. The equipage of these ships amounts to 1200 men, called Levants, besides 100 Greek sailors to manage the rigging. The wages of the Levants are 60 piastres for six months, and for the winter months they are discharged, receiving no wages during their absence; but they serve in expectation of pensions for life, if they signalize themselves. The second rates are called Sultanas; they are 34 ells long, carry 66 guns, 800 Levants and 100 Greek sailors. The third rates are called Caravalles; they measure 40 ells, are built like frigates, and mount from 36 to 45 pieces of cannon; their equipage consist of 200 Lev ants, and 30 Greek sailors. The Ottoman ships are almost all built by Greeks from the Archipelago, and though they are totally deficient in theory, being ignorant of any rules but those of practice, they are so well built, and their beauty and proportion is so surprising, that they are not surpassed by any of the Isips of the most polished nations in Europe. All the hull of the ship that is under water is built of
p. 243: oak; but the upper works are of fir, which makes them lighter, and also less dangerous to the crews in time of action, for the fir does not fly off in splinters like the oak. The external parts are joined to the internal by pegs of hard wood. Such are the fixed orders for the construction of Turkish ships of war; but the avarice and perfidy of the builders makes them violate all orders: superstition likewise is at the bottom; for the Greeks, knowing that these ships are to be employed by Mahometans against Christians, take care to introduce rotten wood and broken planks in the most concealed parts, and the contractors make a considerable profit, by substituting wooden pegs where they should use large iron nails. Besides these frauds, the following circumstances contribute to render their ships less durable than those of other nations. The masts are made of several pieces of wood, joined one above another, and secured with iron. The sails are made with cotton: they take the wind better, and are more manageable than linen, but they soon tear and wear out. The cordage is wretched, and will neither last half the time, nor bear half the stress of other ropes. The quantity of tallow they put about the cordage, to spare their labour, is incredible, and what they consume upon the hull of the ship is in the proportion of fifty pounds, to
p. 244: one used on board the ships of other countries ; consequently, this article alone is an enormous charge in the equipment of their fleets.”
Source
Elias Habesci. The present state of the Ottoman empire containing a more accurate and interesting account of the religion, manners, government, customs, military establishment and amusements etc. London, 1784. Translation of the in the French language manuscript written by Habesci who lived for years at Constantinople serving at the court.
p. 241. “Three different rates of ships compose the Turkish armaments. Those of three
p. 242: decks are the first. The length of these is 60 ells, and the ell of the Arsenal of Constantinople contains two geometrical feet and a half. Each of these ships carries 106 pieces of brass cannon: and, in order to render such ant-unwieldy machine a little manageable, the masts and the fails are of an enormous size. The equipage of these ships amounts to 1200 men, called Levants, besides 100 Greek sailors to manage the rigging. The wages of the Levants are 60 piastres for six months, and for the winter months they are discharged, receiving no wages during their absence; but they serve in expectation of pensions for life, if they signalize themselves. The second rates are called Sultanas; they are 34 ells long, carry 66 guns, 800 Levants and 100 Greek sailors. The third rates are called Caravalles; they measure 40 ells, are built like frigates, and mount from 36 to 45 pieces of cannon; their equipage consist of 200 Lev ants, and 30 Greek sailors. The Ottoman ships are almost all built by Greeks from the Archipelago, and though they are totally deficient in theory, being ignorant of any rules but those of practice, they are so well built, and their beauty and proportion is so surprising, that they are not surpassed by any of the Isips of the most polished nations in Europe. All the hull of the ship that is under water is built of
p. 243: oak; but the upper works are of fir, which makes them lighter, and also less dangerous to the crews in time of action, for the fir does not fly off in splinters like the oak. The external parts are joined to the internal by pegs of hard wood. Such are the fixed orders for the construction of Turkish ships of war; but the avarice and perfidy of the builders makes them violate all orders: superstition likewise is at the bottom; for the Greeks, knowing that these ships are to be employed by Mahometans against Christians, take care to introduce rotten wood and broken planks in the most concealed parts, and the contractors make a considerable profit, by substituting wooden pegs where they should use large iron nails. Besides these frauds, the following circumstances contribute to render their ships less durable than those of other nations. The masts are made of several pieces of wood, joined one above another, and secured with iron. The sails are made with cotton: they take the wind better, and are more manageable than linen, but they soon tear and wear out. The cordage is wretched, and will neither last half the time, nor bear half the stress of other ropes. The quantity of tallow they put about the cordage, to spare their labour, is incredible, and what they consume upon the hull of the ship is in the proportion of fifty pounds, to
p. 244: one used on board the ships of other countries ; consequently, this article alone is an enormous charge in the equipment of their fleets.”
Source
Elias Habesci. The present state of the Ottoman empire containing a more accurate and interesting account of the religion, manners, government, customs, military establishment and amusements etc. London, 1784. Translation of the in the French language manuscript written by Habesci who lived for years at Constantinople serving at the court.
