galley a ship’s company of 250 men. They are distributed as follows:—
_Comito_ or Master 1
Quartermasters 8
Carpenters 2
Caulkers 2
In charge of stores and arms 4
Orderlies 2
Cook 1
Arblasteers 50
Rowers 180
———
250[22]
This does not include the _Sopracomito_, or Gentleman-Commander, who
was expected to be _valens homo et probus_, a soldier and a gentleman,
fit to be consulted on occasion by the captain-general. In the Venetian
fleet he was generally a noble.[23]
The aggregate pay of such a crew, not including the sopracomito,
amounted monthly to 60 _lire de’ grossi_, or 600 florins, equivalent
to 280_l._ at modern gold value; and the cost for a year to nearly
3160_l._, exclusive of the victualling of the vessel and the pay of
the gentleman-commander. The build or purchase of a galley complete is
estimated by the same author at 15,000 florins, or 7012_l._
We see that war cost a good deal in money even then.
Besides the ship’s own complement Sanudo gives an estimate for
the general staff of a fleet of 60 galleys. This consists of a
captain-general, two (vice) admirals, and the following:—
6 _Probi homines_, or gentlemen of character, forming a council to
the Captain-General;
4 Commissaries of Stores;
2 Commissaries over the Arms;
3 Physicians;
3 Surgeons;
5 Master Engineers and Carpenters;
15 Master Smiths;
12 Master Fletchers;
5 Cuirass men and Helmet-makers;
15 Oar-makers and Shaft-makers;
10 Stone cutters for stone shot;
10 Master Arblast-makers;
20 Musicians;
20 Orderlies, &c.
[Sidenote: Music; and other particulars.]