Fourth Genoa-Venice War. Vettore Pisani, a Venetian admiral, wages war in Genoese waters, and manages to capture several Genoese nobles and bring them back as prisoners to Venice. However, this does not prevent the Genoese from quickly reorganizing and re-establishing their fleet, which reaches the Adriatic. This recalls Pisani to the Adriatic. The Genoese have 22 galleys (but only 16 are visible; the others are cleverly hidden behind a promontory) and the Venetians have 24. (The fleets are considerably smaller than those of the First Genoa-Venice War due to the shortage of sailors and craftsmen caused by the Black Death.) Battle breaks out despite Pisani’s reticence. The Genoese admiral is killed, but then the six hidden Genoese galleys intervene, and the battle turns in the latter’s favor. Pisani escapes with five or six remaining vessels. Hundreds of Venetians and 24 nobles are taken prisoner. Eight hundred mercenaries (many from the garrison of Pola) are beheaded by the Genoese and thrown into the sea. Never in the entire history of the Republic has Venice been so close to being taken by assault. Blockaded on all sides, Venice is short of food and supplies.
