Sinan, known as "The Great Jew," was second in command to famed 16th Century pirate Barbarossa. He was such a remarkable navigator that many believed he practice black magician.
When Spain hired forces to protect the Barbary Coast from Corsairs, Sinan led the battle against them, defeating the Genoan navy.
Later he commanded 6,000 troops against the fortress at Tripoli, Libya, eventually conquering the city. So angered by the resistance that held Tripoli, he "put the garrison --all save a few -- in chains, and carried them off to grace his triumph."
He eventually became the Supreme Ottoman naval commander.