Battle of Imbros ( 1717 ) The " Battle of Imbros " took place on 12 , 13 and 16 June 1717 near Imbros in the Aegean Sea . It was a tough but ultimately fairly indecisive battle between a Venetian fleet , under Flangini , and an Ottoman fleet . The Venetians had left Corfu on 10 May 1717 with 25 battleships , and were joined on 18 May by " Gloria Veneta " . On about 24 May they left for the Dardanelles Strait , anchoring off Imbros on 8 June . On 10 June at 9am scouts reported that the Ottoman fleet were leaving the Dardanelles with 38 battleships and 6 galliots . Strong winds damaged some Venetian ships and they anchored again . It was impossible to weather Imbros so Flangini formed a line on the starboard tack heading toward Thasos . In the meantime the Ottoman fleet had anchored just outside the Dardanelles . For 2 days Flangini tried to reach a favorable position but gave up because of strong winds and anchored in lee of Imbros about 12pm on 12 June . The wind then suddenly became ENE and the Ottoman fleet sailed . Because of the current , they reached the Venetians before there was time to form a correct line and Flangini signalled to form up in any order . At 3 : 30pm fighting began in the Rear with 8 Ottoman ships attacking " Colomba " , " Trionfo " ( 2nd flag of Diedo ) and " San Lorenzo " . " Colomba " was hit by 2 huge stone shot and , leaking badly , left the line after 1 hour . By then the other ships were in a position to help , and by about 7pm the Ottoman ships retreated , after their fireship was sunk by " Trionfo " . In the Van , the Venetians had formed a good line of 1st - rates . At about 5pm these were attacked by the main group of Ottoman ships , the fighting lasting till about 9pm . That night , the Venetians , heavily damaged , sailed westward . German troops aboard the nearly sinking " Colomba " mutinied . Venetian casualties so far were about 570 . On 13 June the Venetians were near the western end of Lemnos , with the Ottoman fleet to the north . Flangini formed a line on the starboard tack . " Colomba " was to leeward , its place taken by " Corona " . Toward evening the Ottoman fleet sailed before a north wind and nearly cut off " Trionfo " and " San Lorenzo " , which had dropped back . Flangini turned to support them , and a change of wind to the west put him to windward , and the Ottoman fleet retired after only 2 of them had opened fire . On 14 June the Venetians were between Lemnos and Mt Athos , with the Ottoman fleet to the NNW . The Venetians sailed westward , the Ottoman fleet eastward . On 15 June the Venetians were becalmed between Mt Athos and Strati . They sailed north slightly in an attempt to get the wind gauge , but on 16 June the Ottoman fleet appeared to windward ( NE ) . Flangini tried to form a NNW line but some ships couldn ' t keep station and he formed an ESE line instead . At about 9am fighting began in the Van and included all of the line in about 30 minutes . After 5 hours of fighting the Ottoman fleet withdrew with 6 ships badly damaged . Flangini was unconscious and no attempt was made by the Venetians to get the wind gauge , and they retired to Thermia . Venetian casualties were about 840 , making about 1390 for the whole battle . On 22 June the Ottoman fleet attacked the Venetian scouts . Flangini formed a battle line and the Ottoman fleet withdrew , only to arrive and break through the line later in July . Flangini died later that day . Ships involved : Venice ( Flangini ) . 26 battleships