Oruç Reis’ Story

Oruç

Oruç Reis (Ottoman Turkish: عروج رئيس; Spanish: Aruj; c. 1474 – 1518) was an Ottoman corsair who became Sultan of Algiers. The elder brother of the famous Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, he was born on the Ottoman island of Midilli (Lesbos in present-day Greece) and died in battle against the Spanish at Tlemcen.

He became known as Baba Oruç or Baba Aruj (Father Oruç) when he transported large numbers of Morisco, Muslim and Jewish refugees from Spain to North Africa; folk etymology in Europe transformed that name into Barbarossa (which means Redbeard in Italian). Amidst the chaos of battle and the thrill of adventure, Oruç Reis longed for something more—a community of like-minded souls who shared his passion for the sea and the spirit of exploration. And so, when news reached him of a group of sailors gathering on the distant shores of what would one day become Mercer Island, his curiosity was piqued.

Determined to seek out this new frontier and forge bonds with fellow adventurers, Oruç Reis set sail for the distant shores of the Pacific Northwest. Guided by the stars and fueled by a sense of destiny, he navigated the treacherous waters of the Atlantic and the vast expanse of the Pacific until at last, he reached his destination.

On the shores of Mercer Island, he found a community unlike any he had encountered before. Here, amidst the towering evergreens and the tranquil waters of Lake Washington, sailors of all backgrounds came together to share stories, swap secrets, and revel in the beauty of the natural world.

Inspired by the spirit of camaraderie and adventure that permeated the island, he became an integral part of this burgeoning community, sharing tales of his exploits on the high seas and imparting wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of adventure. Together, they laid the foundation for what would one day become the Mercer Island Yacht Club.

As the years passed and the club grew in size and stature, Oruç Reis's legacy lived on, his name whispered in hushed tones among sailors and his spirit of adventure imbuing every voyage with a sense of purpose and excitement. Though he eventually sailed on to new horizons, his memory remained etched in the annals of MIYC