Battle off Cape Gata

Battle off Cape Gata
Part of Second Barbary War
Date June 17, 1815 Location off Cape Gata, Mediterranean sea Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Algeria
Commanders and leaders
Stephen Decatur, Jr.	Rais Hamidou †
Strength
3 frigates 2 sloops 2 brigantines 2 schooners	1 frigate
Casualties and losses
4 KIA 10 WIA	1 frigate captured 406 POW 30 KIA many wounded

The Battle off Cape Gata, which took place June 17, 1815, was the first battle of the Second Barbary War (The Algerian war). A squadron of vessels under the command of Stephen Decatur met and engaged the flagship of the Algerian Navy, the frigate Meshuda under Admiral Rais Hamidou. After a sharp action, Decatur's squadron was able to capture the Algerian frigate and win a decisive victory over the Algerians.

Background

Stephen Decatur's squadron left New York on May 20th with orders to destroy Algerian vessels and bring the Dey of Algiers to terms for attacking American shipping. He reached the Strait of Gibraltar on the 15th of June and began his mission. After learning that several Algerian cruisers had crossed the Strait of Gibraltar shortly before he did, Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr. decided to give them chase and cut them off before they could reach Algiers.

Battle

Commanding a fleet of nine vessels, he encountered the Algerian flagship Meshuda of forty-six guns off Cape Gata, Spain. Being heavily outnumbered the admiral Rais Hamidou decided to try to flee to the port of Algiers, but was overtaken by the American squadron. After receiving damage from the Constellation and the admiral himself being wounded, the Algerians instead decided to change course and try for the safety of a neutral port along the Spanish coast.

Unfortunately for the Algerians the Constellation and the sloop Ontario were able to close in and hammer the Algerian frigate. The Algerians resorted to replying with musket fire at close range, but Decatur was able to get his flagship the Guerriere alongside the Algerian frigate. Firing a devastating broadside, the Guerriere crippled the enemy and killed the Algerian admiral. Decatur ceased firing, expecting the Algerian ship to surrender. Instead the Algerians 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 Algerians then struck their colors and ended the battle.

Aftermath

Four hundred and six Algerians were captured, with most being wounded as well as thirty killed. The American losses were remarkably light losing 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 off to Cartagena Decatur continued to cruise towards Algiers, but his squadron encountered another Algerian cruiser off Cape Palos. After engaging and capturing the cruiser Decatur was finally able to make it to Algiers. The loss of the Meshuda and Admiral Hamidou greatly weakened Algerian morale as well as their naval capabilities. Once the American squadron reached Algiers they met no further opposition and by a mere show of force were able to bring the Dey to terms, thus ending the war.

Sources

• "Victory in Tripoli", by Joshua E. London pgs, 237-239
• Dictionary of American Fighting Ships:Epervier