Turkish Studies eISSN: 1308-2140 INTERNATIONAL BALKAN UNIVERSITY www.turkishstudies.net/turkishstudies Research Article / Araştırma Makalesi Sponsored by IBU Cite as/ Atıf: Taş, M. (2020). 18. Yüzyılda Tuna Donanması ve donatımı, Turkish Studies, 15(2), 1399-1418. https://dx.doi.org/10.29228/TurkishStudies.39483 Received/Geliş: 26 October/Ekim 2019 Checked by plagiarism software Accepted/Kabul: 25 April/Nisan 2020 Published/Yayın: 30 April/Nisan 2020 Copyright © MDE, Turkey CC BY-NC 4.0 18. Yüzyılda Tuna Donanması ve Donatımı The Danube Navy in the 18th Century and Equipment Mehmet Taş * Abstract: The Danube fleet is one of the Ottoman State's navies operating in rivers. Besides the navy operating in the Ottoman Empire, it had another navy operating in rivers such as Aras, Fırat, Şat, Özü, Nil and Tuna. This navy, was one of the main reasons that Ottoman domination gained stability on the lands where the rivers mentioned. This navy also called the thin fleet, played important roles both in carrying the weight of the land army during expeditions, in the worship and reinforcement of the original army during the war, and in fighting against the enemy navy using these rivers. As a result of these military-qualified missions, elements that create security risks for the state have been eliminated, piracy activities have been prevented and rivers have become safe waterways for trade and civil transportation. As civilian river transport develops, as a natural consequence of this, economic and commercial life has developed in the cities around the rivers mentioned. In this regard, one of the fine naval elements operating in the Ottoman rivers is the Danube navy. Danube navy, named after the Danube river, where it operates, played an important role in the establishment, strengthening and maintenance of Ottoman rule in the Balkans. He has contributed to many important conquest movements, including the conquest of Belgrade in the Balkans. In an environment where wars with Austria and Russia in the Balkans increased in the 18th century, the Danube fleet had an important role in the Ottoman Empire's holding in this geography. Even if there is more or less information about the activities of the Danube fleet, there is not much information about the elements that compose it with a logistic perspective. In fact, this navy is made up of a large network of intertwined relationships and concepts, ranging from crew to shipbuilding, from skilled labor to financing. There were unique shipyards where this navy was built, ships built according to the characteristics of the Danube river in these shipyards, skilled workers working in the construction of these ships, and a financial background that met their expenses. Understanding them will provide a better understanding of the existence of the Ottomans in the Balkans. Structured Abstract: The Ottoman State is a world state that ruled over three seas, consisting of Asia, Europe and Africa, and many seas such as the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Red Sea and the Adriatic sea. Although this state was established in Anatolia, it spread in Europe in a short time and succeeded in including the Middle East and North Africa in its field in a short time. Undoubtedly, his military strength is one of the factors affecting his success. One of the elements that make up its military power is the land army * Dr, Hatay İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü Ph.D., Hatay Provincial Directorate of National Education 0000-0003-1794-9629 mehmet-tas@msn.com