The , also or , was a squadron commander of the ships of the line of the

navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It in ...

of the

Republic of Venice The Republic of Venice ( vec, Repùblega de Venèsia) or Venetian Republic ( vec, Repùblega Vèneta, links=no), traditionally known as La Serenissima ( en, Most Serene Republic of Venice, italics=yes; vec, Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia, ...

History

Although it began using ailing ships in its battle line during the 15th century, the Venetian navy had traditionally been a galley-based force. During the 17th century sailing ships of the line began to play a more important role and comprised a larger and larger portion of the Venetian battle fleet, particularly during the

War of Candia War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular ...

. The increase in numbers necessitated the creation of more squadrons of sail, and thus on 25 May 1657 two new positions, the and the were created to command the second and third sailing ship divisions, while a commanded the first division. The term or meant 'skipper', especially of galleys, but was also frequently applied to ships, especially the ship next in rank to the flagship (the ). Thus the title of has the meaning of 'vice-admiral of the ships'. Appointment to the post was usually for three years. As distinctive signs, the flagship of the carried a single lantern aft, the standard of Saint Mark on the starboard side aft, and on the

foremast The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall spar, or arrangement of spars, erected more or less vertically on the centre-line of a ship or boat. Its purposes include carrying sails, spars, and derricks, and giving necessary height to a navigation ...

or the mizzen mast a square ensign of Saint Mark.

References

Sources

* * * {{Venetian navy Republic of Venice admirals Military ranks of the Venetian navy 1657 establishments 17th-century establishments in the Republic of Venice