The battle may have taken place far from Nafpaktos but this town was the site of the last Ottoman council of war before the two fleets met in the open sea. The various commanders could not agree on a strategy. Ali Pasha, the commander of the fleet, knew that his orders were to fight the enemy wherever he encountered him. The younger commanders were in favour of an aggressive campaign instead of remaining in port “playing with the women”. Others advocated caution, arguing that the season was advanced and the Christian fleet must be low in supplies, meaning they would soon have to depart anyways. Ali Pasha was convinced that the Christians would not offer battle, so he ordered the fleet to sail. Three days later, disaster struck.