Naval battle between the forces of Salah Reis and a Portuguese flotilla
| Battle of the Bay of Velez |
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| Date | July 5, 1553 |
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| Location | |
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| Result |
Ottoman–Algerian victory[1][2] |
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|
| Belligerents |
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 Portuguese Empire |
![]() Regency of Algiers |
| Commanders and leaders |
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|
Unknown |
Salah Reis |
| Strength |
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|
Unknown |
40 vessels |
| Casualties and losses |
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|
Unknown deaths, all captured |
Unknown |
The Battle of the Bay of Velez was a naval battle between the forces of Salah Reis and a Portuguese flotilla in which the forces of Salah Reis emerged victorious.[1][2]
The winter of 1552–1553 in the Regency of Algiers, was devoted to outfitting a fleet.[3] In the beginning of June, Salah Reis embarked from Algiers and set out with a fleet of 40 vessels, galliots, galleys and brigantines.[3][2]
On July 5, 1553, while at sea with his squadron, Salah Reis came across and defeated a Portuguese fleet at the bay of Velez.[2][1] The entire flotilla and its caravels were captured and the Portuguese and Moroccans were taken captive and brought to Velez.[3]
The booty was offered to the Saadi ruler as a token of friendship and neighbourliness and also to dissuade him from launching raids on Oran.[3] Despite this offer a new border incident occurred, and Salah Reis spent his winter preparing an expedition against Morocco, after which he defeated the Saadi ruler in the Battle of Taza.[3]
References
