Venetian fleet punished retreating Egyptians, capturing their ships at Askalon

Summary:
Domenico Michiel, doge of Venice, reached Cyprus with a large fleet which had attacked Kerkyra. It arrived in Palestinian waters just after an Egyptian naval attack on Jaffa. He followed the retreating Egyptians to Askalon, baited his trap with a few ships looking like a pilgrim fleet, and captured or sunk most of the Egyptian fleet nearby. The Venetians then took ten richly-laden Egyptian merchant ships from beyond Askalon, and brought back many of their prizes to Acre, to a warm welcome 
Dates:
 
Domenico Michiel, doge of Venice (Domenico 4001)
  • Reached Cyprus with a large fleet, during Egyptian naval attack on Jaffa; followed retreating Egyptians to Askalon, where he sank most of their fleet; then took 10 richly-laden Egyptian merchant ships, and landed at Acre (: ) William of Tyre bk. 12, 22.1-23.35
  • His fleet arrived at several ports of Palestine just after the Egyptians were driven off; he decided to pursue them, pretending that some of his ships were a pilgrim fleet, to bait his trap; the Egyptians were deceived, attacked the small squadron and were led to the main Venetian fleet (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.20.1-4
  • His Venetian ships hemmed in the Egyptian fleet on all sides, leaving no escape, and boarded them; losses were huge, and the sea reddened with blood; beyond Askalon they also captured ten merchant ships, with very rich cargoes; some ships were burned, but many were brought back to Acre, to a warm welcome (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.20.5-8