A combined fleet needed practical cooperation

Ushakov repeatedly asked Abdülkadir Bey to obtain the troops ordered by the Ottoman government for the siege. Those troops needed to arrive with provisions, ammunition, bullets and gunpowder. The squadrons could supply powder if necessary, but rifle bullets could not be obtained locally. Cooperation also depended on local commanders obeying orders: Ushakov complained that Ali Pasha's men had refused requests from both admirals to help repel a French attack on a battery. He asked for the responsible commander to be punished so that others would obey. Relations between the admirals also came under scrutiny through complaints about reciprocal visits and alleged misconduct. In his reply, Ushakov described the visits as practical business arrangements, denied the alleged assault, and said Abdülkadir knew nothing of either grievance. These letters show how orders from allied governments still required supplies, discipline and personal cooperation to become effective operations.