Battle of Lissa (1866)
Off Lissa, Adriatic Sea
What happened
Austrian Vice-Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff led the Austrian fleet against the Italian fleet of Admiral Carlo Pellion di Persano. During a war between Italy and Austria, the Italian navy tried to break Austria's control of the Adriatic Sea and attacked the island of Lissa, today's Vis in Croatia. Tegetthoff's fleet sailed out to meet them, and the battle was fought between ironclad warships, ships covered in iron armour. The Austrians rammed the Italian ships, the Italian ironclad Re d'Italia was rammed and sank within minutes, and the Italian fleet withdrew.
Why it matters
Result: Austrian victory. Leaders: Wilhelm von Tegetthoff against Carlo Pellion di Persano. Why it matters: It was the first battle in which ironclad warships were used on a major scale. Persano was disgraced on his return to Italy, while Tegetthoff was promoted.
What came next
A Tegetthoff expedition ship discovered Franz Josef Land in 1873.
Did you know?
An Arctic research ship named after Tegetthoff discovered Franz Josef Land, a group of Arctic islands, in 1873.
Timeline
- 20 July 1866Tegetthoff defeats the Italian fleet at Lissa.
- 1873The ship Tegetthoff's expedition discovers Franz Josef Land.