The Algerian, Austrian, Dutch, Egyptian, Greek and Turkish navies in the Levant according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 19 July 1825

Vienna, 8 July. The newspaper Oesterreichische Beobachter published some extracts from the newspaper l’Ami des Lois of Hydra dated until 23 May which confirmed what happened before the surrender of Navarino. In the report dealing with the capture of Sphagia by the Turkish was Alexander Maurocordato commemorated who after the death of lieutenant colonel Anastases Tsamados went on board of the vessel of the latter and attacked the Turkish line. During 5 hours he fought against 35 Turkish ships disabling 5 brigs with large losses while he on the other hand just lost 2 men and 6 wounded. Major Bandiera commanding officer of the Austrian goelette Arethusa described what happened in his report dated Zea 28 May. After getting his orders he left 8 May Napoli-di-Romania towards Modon where he arrived the 12th 16.00 o’clock. He sighted off Venetico 2 Greek ships and 23 others cruising on a distance of 15 miles South West of the Sapienza islands. While approaching Modon he saw there an Algerian frigate, 1 large gabarre and several corvettes, brigs and transports and the Dutch brig Zr.Ms. Courier. In the evening at 18.00 o’clock appeared a Greek brig in the channel between the Sapienza islands and Cabreira. The Algerian frigate and some other warships didn’t even try to get a favourable wind and attack the Greek but instead fled to open sea making the Greek it easy to use their fire ships against the other ships which couldn’t escape. Around 18.15 o’clock entered the whole Greek squadron thanks to a South East wind the channel towards Modon. Within short time the Greek warships and especially the fire ships were near the Austrian goelette which was in a very dangerous situation while the Turkish ships and batteries were firing at the Greeks. One fire ship passed the Arethusa on a cable length distance towards the large gabarre Asia which was lying quite close to the stern of the Austian. To escape were the cable of the Arethusa cut and with all sails standby she went to the western point of Sapienza to come above both fleets. While the Austrians were moving away from the battle scene boarded the first fire ship the Asia and 6 more fire ships the other ships in the harbour. The Greek ships were constantly firing with grab shot and balls at the Turkish ships which fled towards the fleet off Navarino immediately after the appearance of the Greek ships. Despite the Austrian flag the Greek goelette commanded by captain Tombasi fire with guns and small arms at the Arethusa without success but really close just like they shot at the Dutch brig. Due to constant fast sailing to the south she escaped from both fleets. Around 20.00 o’clock exploded the Asia just like around 23.00 o’clock exploded or burnt. The crew of the Arethusa behaved very well despite she was in the middle of the battle. In the morning of the 18th [13th?] she returned to Modon and met around 09.00 o’clock the Greek squadron and was approached by the goelette of captain Tombasi. He was a nephew of the notorious Tombasis of the leaders of the revolt on Candia. He came on board and made his excuses for the shooting while he thought the Arethusa was a Turkish ship. Bandiera accepted the excuses for this time although he made clear that his large flag and manoeuvres should made clear that it was an Austrian ship. If it would happen again there could be consequences for the shooting. He arrived in the afternoon of the 14th at Modon where he heard that the Turkish squadron in the evening of the 12th lost due to the Greek fire ships the gabarre Asia, 3 corvettes, 3 brigs and 4 Turkish and 2 Ionian transports. The city and fortress of Modon were not damaged.