Strong Ottoman forces besieged Shkodra in spring 1474. Mehmed had dispatched the beylerbey of Rumelia, Hadım Suleiman Pasha, with about 8,000 men, but were repulsed by commander Antonio Loredan and feared Venetian reinforcements. The Venetian Senate ordered all available galleys to transport archers to Shkodra trough river Bojana.[citation needed] All Venetian governors were ordered to help besieged city.[citation needed] According to Venetian reports in July Shkodra was besieged by 50,000 Ottoman soldiers who were supported by heavy artillery.[citation needed]