Battle off Cape Gata
Battle off Cape Gata | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of Meshuda surrounded by an American fleet off Cape Gata | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
![]() |
![]() Regency of Algiers | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Stephen Decatur, Jr. | Raïs Hamidou † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
3 frigates 2 sloops 2 brigantines 2 schooners | 1 frigate | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
10 killed 30 wounded[1] |
30 killed Many wounded 406 captured 1 frigate captured |
The Battle off Cape Gata, which took place June 17, 1815, off the south-east coast of Spain, was the first battle of the
Background
Battle
Commanding a fleet of nine vessels, he encountered the Algerine flagship
The Constellation and the sloop Ontario were able to close in and hammer the Algerine frigate. The Algerines resorted to replying with musket fire at close range, but Decatur was able to get his flagship, the Guerriere, alongside the Algerine frigate. Firing a devastating broadside, the Guerriere crippled the enemy and killed the Algerine admiral. Decatur ceased firing, expecting the Algerine ship to surrender. Instead the Algerines continued to fight hopelessly with muskets as long as they were able. As a result, Decatur had the sloop Epervier fire nine broadsides into the Meshuda with disastrous effect. The bloodied Algerines then struck their colors and ended the battle.[2][3]
Aftermath
Four hundred and six Algerines were captured, most wounded, and thirty killed. American losses were remarkably light, with only four dead and ten wounded (all on the Guerriere). Most of the American casualties were due to a gun explosion, but a few were due to enemy action. After sending the captured frigate to
Bibliography
- London, Joshua (2005). Victory in Tripoli. Macmillan. pp. 288. ISBN 0471444154. Url
- Panzac, Daniel (2005). The Barbary Corsairs: The End of a Legend, 1800-1820.
K. Brill, Netherlands. p. 352.ISBN 9789004125940. Url - "Victory in Tripoli", by Joshua E. London pgs, 237-239
- Dictionary of American Fighting Ships:Epervier
References
- ^ "Les Corsaires des Régences barbaresques - Page 6" (in French).
- ^ a b c d e Panzac, 2005 pp.270-271
- ^ a b London, 2005, Chapter XI