Their ships , on which high wooden towers had been erected , had the advantage , and many Byzantine seamen and soldiers were killed or drowned .
The Latin fleet caught the Byzantines by surprise , and their initial attack was so violent that they made good progress .
Their ships , on which high wooden towers had been erected , had the advantage , and many Byzantines seamen and soldiers were killed or drowned .
The Latin fleet caught the Byzantines by surprise , and their initial attack was so violent that they made good progress .