Developed specifically for use in the relatively calm waters of the Mediterranean, the galley was long and narrow, typically about 165 ft (50 m) long by 13 ft (4 m) wide. Powered by some 300 rowers, she could travel very fast for short periods or cruise under sail. However, the shape of the sail, together with the low prow and sides meant she was neither maneuverable nor very seaworthy. Nevertheless, in attack the ship was deadly. Much faster than a European sailing vessel, she charged the enemy at speed, homing in like a missile. Success depended on fixing the enemy with the ram before it turn away or the rowers became exhausted.DRAGUT REIS
For five years Dragut Reis was the most feared of the corsairs. Like the buccaneer commander Sir Henry Morgan, he was more than just a pirate. He was a commander of skill and daring who led fleets into action.
Having been a slave on a Christian galley, Dragut Reis knew his enemy well. However successful a corsair might be, his life was always in danger, and Dragut was eventually killed in Malta in 1565.
For five years Dragut Reis was the most feared of the corsairs. Like the buccaneer commander Sir Henry Morgan, he was more than just a pirate. He was a commander of skill and daring who led fleets into action.
Having been a slave on a Christian galley, Dragut Reis knew his enemy well. However successful a corsair might be, his life was always in danger, and Dragut was eventually killed in Malta in 1565.
THE RAM
A galley's tactic involved charging a enemy ship from the side, hitting her with the gigantic ram that rode up over the deck and made a bridge for corsairs to storm into the attack.
A galley's tactic involved charging a enemy ship from the side, hitting her with the gigantic ram that rode up over the deck and made a bridge for corsairs to storm into the attack.
THE GALLEY
Galleys had a high stern with a covered canopy to protect the rais (the captain), a single mast with a rectangular sail, and banks of about 25 oars on each side.
Galleys had a high stern with a covered canopy to protect the rais (the captain), a single mast with a rectangular sail, and banks of about 25 oars on each side.
GALLEY SLAVES
The life of a galley slave was about as unpleasant as one could imagine. Chained together on benches, six to an oar, they were kept alive with meager rations and rowed until they dropped.
Overseers walked between them, whipping them to work. If their ship caught fire or sank, unable to escape from chains they were doomed to die.
The life of a galley slave was about as unpleasant as one could imagine. Chained together on benches, six to an oar, they were kept alive with meager rations and rowed until they dropped.
Overseers walked between them, whipping them to work. If their ship caught fire or sank, unable to escape from chains they were doomed to die.
THE FIRST PIRATES
Cargo ships first sailed the waters of the Red Sea and east Mediterranean many thousands of years ago.
As these early ships were not very seaworthy, they kept close to the coast, making ideal targets for pirates who darted out from the shore.
As these early ships were not very seaworthy, they kept close to the coast, making ideal targets for pirates who darted out from the shore.
