The force and Ottoman conviction

Turks were introduced to the seas for the very first time as they settled in Asia-Minor in 1071. They began to sail towards the blue waters to study the mystical world of the endless seas, which reminded them of eternity. In this way, the strong historical heritage and traditions, extending from the past and into the future, of Turkish sailing emerged. Turkish Maritime influenced the history of the world of the oceans with great Admirals such as: Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha and Kılıç Ali Pasha, as well as the pioneers of global cartography, Piri Reis and Ali Macar Reis.

The Ottoman Turks combined the ideas of the West, enlightened by the Renaissance which at the time emerged in the Mediterranean, with the Eastern, Islamic and ancient Turkish civilizations; this created unique works, which are still treasured today. The Turks, who had performed great miracles and turned the Mediterranean into an almost inland sea during their golden age in the oceans, would have to pay a heavy price in the periods they withdrew from the seas.

In 1071, the Oğuz Turks began to settle in Anatolia led by the Seljuk’s Sultan, Alparslan. The territories of the first Turkish principalities were extended to the coasts of the Aegean and the Sea of Marmara. Emir Çaka Bey was the first pioneer, he introduced the sailing environment to the Turks. He was one of the most courageous raider of the Seljuk’s Army, but was captured by the Byzantine Empire in 1078 when his people were marching towards the West.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First Turkish Admiral: Çaka Bey

Çaka Bey constructed a shipbuilding facility, a kind of shipyard, deemed very modern for that era. The region around this facility developed in such way, it become a naval base. After this phase, ship-constructing activities commenced and the first Turkish Fleet of 50 sailing boats and rowboats was built. The year 1081 is extremely important in the history of the Turkish Navy, since it has been regarded as the foundation year of the Turkish Naval Forces. In the same year, Emir Çaka Bey sailed into the warm waters of the Aegean Sea with the first Turkish Fleet.

The Turks were introduced to the seas and built a bridge of affection and respect between the ocean and themselves. Yet, a price would be paid for sailing on these dangerous seas: on 10 May 1090, Çaka Bey’s fleet confronted the Byzantine off the coast of the Koyun Islands. A battle was inevitable. 

The Turkish settlement in Anatolia incited the movements against the Turks and the Muslims in particular, which led the formation of the Crusader Army. During the period of intensive Crusades starting from 1096, the Turks were kept under pressure. For this reason, they had to settle in Central Anatolia; they had to protect themselves against the Mongol invasions.

This sequence of events remarkably hindered the sea-oriented activities of the Seljuk Sultanate of Anatolia. Maritime activities were limited to a few ship construction and maintenance facilities in Sinop, Antalya, and Alanya. However, during this period, the Seljuk Sultan of Anatolia, Alaeddin Keykubat I, who was reputed as “The Sultan of the Two Seas “, set up fleets with the ships constructed at the Alanya and Sinop Shipyards. The Alanya shipyard was considered to be the first organized shipyard built in 1220.

 

 

The Period of the Ottoman Empire (XIV-XX Century)

Undoubtedly, the rise and the decline of the Ottoman Empire was closely related to the capabilities of it’s Navy. The Ottomans had a powerful Navy when they were ruling three continents and honoring glorious victories. However, the loss of superiority on the seas was an important factor in the deterioration of the institutions of the Empire. In fact, it was impossible for the Ottomans, which had expanded over three continents, to survive by ignoring the maritime activities.

 

The Period of the Fleet Commanders

In 1323, the territory of the Ottoman principality reached to the Sea of Marmara with the conquest of Karamürsel. In 1324, the principality of Karesi sent a fleet of 24 ships under the command of Mürsel Bey to the Ottomans. In some sense, this deployment was the first stage of the foundation of the invincibility of the Ottoman Navy. After the Ottoman Principality established its sovereignty in the Eastern Marmara, the institutionalization of the Naval Forces began. In 1327, the first Ottoman shipyard was constructed in Karamürsel and the first Ottoman ship was built there. The Navy was organized into a hierarchical system and Kara Mürsel Bey became the Commander of the Fleet. He took his place among the pioneering sailors in the history of the Turkish Navy as the first Fleet Commander.

In 1334 and 1337 respectively, Gemlik and İzmit were captured, and thus it became easier for the Ottomans to pass through the Sea of Marmara to expand its dominance over Rumelia. Following Karamürsel, İzmit, Gelibolu and finally İstanbul, which became the centers of the Turkish sea power.

 

 

 

 

Text: Fuerza Naval de Turquía ± Photo: wkp / historia de turcos / wkm / muratdaskin / wkms / Alfons Canovas / Joao Marchini