Carlo I Tocco had claims to Epirus and other territories of the Byzantine Empire. His ambition brought him into direct conflict with the Byzantine emperor, John VIII Palaiologos. In 1427 the Byzantine fleet met the fleet of Tocco off the Echinades islands. The Byzantines charged against the enemy with banners flying and trumpets sounding. Their speed and wide array of missiles wrought havoc among their opponents. Many ships were captured, others turned and fled, while some crews surrendered claiming to be the emperor’s faithful servants. Tocco’s flagship escaped only because the Byzantines thought it impossible, thus ignoring it until it was too late. The battle of Echinades was the last victory of the Byzantine navy.