The city Venice was until 1797 an independent state with a long maritime history including centuries of warfare against the Ottoman empire. Although mainly a Mediterranean naval power, merchant ships of Venice visited in the late Middle Ages England. Venice finally became in 1797 part of the Austrian empire allowing the latter to become a naval power. Between 1805-1810 Venice was temporarily part of the French empire. Since 1866 is Venice part of the new created country Italy. The arsenal at Venice was of large importance for the Austrian navy and in 1836 a description was published, worth to take over on this weblog.
“To begin then, with the arsenal of Venice, probably the most ancient in Europe, having been founded in 1104, about the time pf the first crusade. It is situated at the eastern angle of the city, and covers an extent of about 80 acres, holding an intermediate rank between Portsmouth and Toulon, the former of which is 100, the latter about 60 acres; it is in form nearly square, the northern point washed by sea, or laguna, the other three sides inclosed by canals, thus rendering it insular. It contains two large and tow small basins, covering an extent of 30 acres, in which more than the Austrian navy might lie and refit; around are placed the building slips, which at one time amounted to the extraordinary number of 55; all, excepting four, covered with standing roofs, under which the famous Venetian galleys were built. Many of these have since been converted into store-houses, &c. but upwards of twenty still remain; among others three for 80-gun ships; on one of which was built the Rivoli (afterwards captured by the Victorious, in 1811). Two communications with the sea exist, one at the north-east, the other at the south-west angle of the yard. Here are no docks, a great defect, but every convenience for heaving down; sail-loft, store-mast, and boat-houses, as requisite. [Venice is surrounded by three great lagunes, unfortunately these lagunes have very shallow water, so that large ships, as the Rivoli, &c. are obliged to be born over the shoals upon camels to the port Malamocco, distant six miles]. The rope-house is a fine building, of 1,050 feet in length; the hemp chiefly used comes from near Ferrara, and is said to be superior to Russian; 1,600 tons of it are annually exported to Great-Britain. Here is a good park of artillery; the brass cannons are cast on the spot: those of iron come from Vienna. The model-room contains a collection of curious plans, &c., among others the model of the famous Bucentaur, upwards of 100 ft. long in which the Doge on Ascension-day embarked for the ceremony of espousing the Adriatic. The last of these magnificent galleys was burnt by the populace in 1797; a small piece of her main-mast is alone preserved. In the armoury is a singular mortar, made of rope, with bands of iron; a first attempt at artillery, and said to have been used against the Genoese in 1349. About 500 men are employed in the dock-yard. On the slips are two transports and four gun-brigs, building; a 46-gun frigate hauled up for repair, and another in the basin; besides a fine corvette ready for sea, and some small vessels. No great supply of timber is in the arsenal, yet the stores, well arranged, have everything ready for use. The navy consists of 28 vessels of war; four frigates of 46 guns; six corvettes of 20 guns; five brigs, and the rest small craft; the whole manned by 3,000 seamen, 800 marines artillery, under the immediate command of Colonel Vitaliani, who has suggested several valuable improvements in locks, sights, &c. and about 1,600 marines. Adjoining the dock-yard is the naval college, where fifty boys are instructed in every requisite branch of education; the course occupies five years, and two months of each year are passed cruising in a corvette, thus enabling them to add practice to theory. The superior professor, Emilio Tipaldo(1), is well known in the literature world of Italy; but the active superintendent is Signor Bordini, Capitano di Fregate, and under his management the whole appears orderly and well conducted. The young men are obliged to learn French and English, or German; a rule not unworthy imitation nearer home; as to no one is the knowledge of foreign languages of such practical use as to a sailor. The expense to government is about 1,000 florins, or 100l. per annum each boy; to which the parents contribute about 45l.; all who enter the navy are brought up here.
Sources
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement and Instruction: contains Original Essays; historical narratives; biographical memoirs, manners and customs; topographical description; sketches and tales; anecdotes; select extracts from new and expensive works; poetry, original and selected; the spirit of the public journals; discoveries in the arts and sciences; new facts in natural history, vol. XXVIII, Saturday 6 February 1836, p. 90-91. London, 1836.
www.wezo.org
Note
1. This must be Emilio Amadeo de Tipaldo, born on Corfu 8 October 1798, who as appointed as professor in History, Geography and Sea law at the naval college in the period 1825-1844 and author of for instance Biograph degl’Italiani I illustri, published at Venice in 10 vols in 1834-1836 and Didegno d'un trattao sul diritto commerciale, marittimo e di finanza in 1842.
