Salih Reis Turkish privateer pirate, admiral of the Ottoman fleet. Date of Birth: 01.01.1488 Country: Turkey

1. Early Life
2. Allegiance to the Ottoman Empire
3. Rise in the Ottoman Navy
4. Battle of Tunis
5. Battle of Preveza
6. Siege of Malta
7. Later Life and Death

Early Life

Salih Reis was born in the village of Biga, located on the coast of the Aegean Sea. At a young age, he embarked on a ship commanded by the infamous Turkish pirate Oruç Barbarossa. Salih quickly showed a talent for seamanship and rose through the ranks, becoming one of Barbarossa's lieutenants.

Allegiance to the Ottoman Empire

In 1518, Oruç Barbarossa was killed in battle against the Spanish in Algeria, leaving his brother Hayreddin Barbarossa to inherit his mantle. Salih Reis remained loyal to Barbarossa and joined the Ottoman navy in 1529 with a fleet of 14 ships. The Ottoman forces went on to defeat the Spanish fleet, with Salih playing a significant role and capturing the son of the Spanish admiral.

Rise in the Ottoman Navy

The pirate's successes caught the attention of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who summoned Barbarossa and Salih to Constantinople. With the tacit approval of the Ottoman authorities, the pirates had been conducting their raids against the Spanish. Barbarossa was appointed Admiral of the Ottoman Fleet and Governor of North Africa, while Salih Reis became a colonel in the navy.

Battle of Tunis

In 1535, Barbarossa sent Salih Reis to defend Tunis against an invading Spanish force led by Girolamo Tuttavilla, Count of Sarno. Outnumbered, Salih initially retreated, but then lured the Spanish into a trap. Using a false retreat, Salih Reis encircled the Spanish troops, killing Tuttavilla and eventually capturing the fortress.

Battle of Preveza

One of Salih Reis's greatest battles was the Battle of Preveza in 1538. Pope Paul III had assembled a coalition of forces known as the Holy League, which included the Papal States, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, the Republic of Venice, and the Maltese Knights. The Holy League intended to defeat the Ottomans under the command of Andrea Doria, Salih Reis's former adversary. However, the Ottomans achieved a decisive victory, both on land and sea. Salih Reis personally boarded the Venetian flagship and captured it, cutting it off from the rest of the fleet.

Siege of Malta

Salih Reis's final military operation was the Siege of Malta in 1565. The Ottomans failed to capture Fort Saint Michael, and the arrival of a Maltese relief fleet ended Salih Reis and his comrades' hopes of victory.

Later Life and Death

At the time of the Siege of Malta, Salih Reis was around 77 years old, an advanced age for a military commander. He never again led Ottoman forces and died three years later in Algeria.