Serbia's river tradition reaches back to specialized troops defending approaches such as the port of Belgrade against Ottoman forces. Their chaika galleys carried roughly 30 to 50 people, including an officer, an armourer, a drummer, and a helmsman. Around 30 to 40 rowers supplied propulsion. These crews fought on the Danube and defended the rivers against Ottoman encroachment.
Notable Point · 28:00-29:47
Chaika galleys on the Ottoman river frontier
Specialist galley crews defended the Danube frontier and Belgrade's river approaches against Ottoman forces.