The transcription and evaluation of the R.1325/A.D.1909 dated Nevsâl-i Bahrî

The study is a transcription and evaluation of the Nevsâl-i Bahrî dated R.1325/A.D.1909, organized by the Bahriye Kulübü (Naval Club). In the first part of the study which consists of three parts, information about sâlnâme and nevsâl is given. In the second part, the titles in the nevsâl are classified according to their subjects and the work is evaluated. The third part includes the transcription of the nevsâl. The work which consists of twenty-four titles begins with the history of Ottoman naval history from its foundation until the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-78. After Piri Reis left from the navy, Seydi Ali Reis' struggle against the Portuguese is also included in the history. It is argued that the navy was not given the importance it needed, the shipyard was in a dysfunctional condition and the naval personnel was unqualified during the reign of Abdülhamid II. It is stated that the Ottoman Empire was open to many political, military and commercial dangers and what precautions should be taken to prevent these dangers. The work contains information about the training programme and daily life of the officers and enlisted men who would serve in the navy and the naval schools in other states, especially in England. It is suggested that England was advanced from contemporary states in matters such as the naval training programme and shipbuilding and that the methods applied in England should be applied in the Ottoman Empire. In addition, the nevsâl provides detailed information about the navies of the great states of the period and the warships in their navies. There is also information about torpedoes, balloons and aeroplanes, the Battle of Tchoshima, wireless telegraph technologies, and the naval power of other states. There is also important information such as the comparison of the naval powers of the states and their budgets and expenditures. Keywords: Sâlnâme, Nevsâl, Torpedo, Cruiser, British Navy, Balloons, Machines, Shipyard.