 Tarihi Kadırga at theIstanbul Naval Museum | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Ottoman Empire | |
| Name | Tarihi Kadırga |
| Builder | Imperial shipyard |
| Decommissioned | c. 1839 |
| Status | Museum ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Galley |
| Length | 39.64 m (130.1 ft) |
| Beam | 5.72 m (18.8 ft) |
| Complement | 144 oarsmen |
Tarihi Kadırga (Turkish for "historical galley") is anOttomangalley constructed in the late 16th or early 17th century for the use ofOttoman sultans on inshore waters.[1][2] She is the only surviving original galley in the world,[1][3] and has the world's oldest continuously maintained wooden hull.[2]
Tarihi Kadırga has a length of 39.64 metres (130.1 ft) and has abeam of 5.72 metres (18.8 ft), she was equipped with 24 pairs ofoars, and crewed by 144oarsmen.[1] She had two masts,[a] but these are now removed.[1]
Tarihi Kadırga's date of construction is unknown. However, it is presumed that she was built inIstanbul in the period between the reigns of SultanMurad III (1574–1595) and SultanMehmed IV (1648–1687),[1][4] as evidenced byAMS radiocarbon dating anddendrochronological research.[4] The ship had a long service life, remaining in use until the reign of SultanMahmud II (1808–1839).[1][4][5]
The first recorded mention of her dates from 1861, when the Istanbul newspaperŞehbal stated she was recorded by a French naval architect.[4][5] In 1885, the ship underwent major repairs ordered by SultanAbdulhamid II,[4] in which decayed planks below the waterline were replaced, and the ship was refurbished.[4][5] The galley was kept at theTopkapı Palace until 1913, when she was moved to theImperial Naval Arsenal atKasımpaşa.[5][6]
By 1923, she was in a state of disrepair, with photographs published inThe Mariner's Mirror showing damage to herlower strakes.[5] However, by 1939, another photograph published inNational Geographic Magazine showed her condition to have improved.[5] The kiosk was restored in 1944, and the hull in 1950. During this restoration, some of the decoration on her hull was repainted by members ofIstanbul University's Fine Arts Faculty.[5] She remained at Kasımpaşa until 1956, when she was moved again, now toBeşiktaş, where she stayed until her final move in 1970. This time she was moved by barge to theIstanbul Naval Museum.[5][6] She was given another restoration in 1982 and 1983, which included the replacement of decorative elements and repainting of the entire ship.[5]
