The author described in
several letters, published in this book, his experiences dealing with the
Ottoman navy. Apparently the author is the former American commodore David
Porter. I just used those passages who seems to be of some interest for my
research.
In his letter dated 26
February 1831 wrote the author that he wanted to meet the Capudan Pacha (Hali)
again, so he went on to Constantinople where he found him at the navy yard. “At the time of my visit, it was on the wharf,
where his large ship, the Mahmoud (the flagship) was fitting and taking in her
guns, &.&.” “After
a few moments’ conversation, I expressed a wish to see the
interior of the Mahmoud again. (I had been on board of her before with him.) At
this he expressed great satisfaction, hoped that he should see me often in the
yard, and aboard, as he knew I was a sailor, and a judge of things, and should
like my opinion. I visited every part of the ship. She is larger than our Pennsylvania [Ron:
American ship of the line]. The carpenter’s
work and the materials of which she is composed, are not equal to those of our
ships, but when I say we have not a ship in our service, whose ornamental
parts, equipments, and outfit are at all to be compared to those of the
Mahmoud, as regard richness, elegance, utility, and expense, I say no more than
the truth. Her batteries will consist of one hundred and forty guns. Of
calibres from five hundred pounds downward. On her main deck she is to carry
four of this description, the rest are to be forty-two pounders. Every gun on
board is as bright as burnished gold; her gun-carriages are absolutely cabinet
work; all the iron work about them is like polished steel, and the brass work,
of which there is much, corresponding therewith. The beautiful polish of the
rich and costly woods of which the ceiling, sides and bulkheads of her cabin
are composed, strike the eye with a dazzling magnificence. The floors are
covered with the same woods laid in a kind of Mosaic. All the rest of her
equipments, which are in a high state of forwardness in the storehouses, are in
the same keeping; and when all are put together, and the Mahmoud is complete,
the Turks will have it in their power to boast of the largest and most splendid
ship in the world”. The Capudan Pacha ‘abolished
old customs: established new systems founded on European practices; discharged
all Greeks and worn-out sailors of the navy, and taken into the service the
youths of the country, with which to form seamen”.
When the author visited the yard he didn’t
see someone older than 25, while the average age was 14-18. In his letter dated 8
April 1832 the author repeats his opinion that the Mahmoud ‘is the most splendid ship in the world as well as
the largest. She mounts no less than 156 guns”.
The stanchions, fore and aft, are also turned and polished brass. All the rest
of the fleet is in equally fine condition, not so splendid to be sure, as the
Mahmoud, but in beautiful, and to all appearance, efficient order”. The crews are all yound and active, apparently
perfectly willing and pleased with the service; they are all Turks”. Finally in his letter dated 1 June 1832 he
described his visit to the small naval yard at Nicomedia, where a good store of timber was
available and with small vessels, apparently gunboats, on stocks.
Source
Constantinople and its environs in a series of letters by an
American.
New York,
1835, p. 117-119, 158-159 and 209.
