Battle off Cape Gata facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle off Cape Gata
Part of Second Barbary War
The Algerian Meshuda surrounded by an American fleet off Cape Gata
Date June 17, 1815 Location off Cape Gata (Spain), Mediterranean Sea Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	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	30 killed Many wounded 406 captured 1 frigate captured

The Battle off Cape Gata was an important naval battle. It happened on June 17, 1815, near the coast of Spain. This battle was the first major fight of the Second Barbary War. An American fleet, led by Stephen Decatur, Jr., met the main ship of the Algerine navy. This ship was a frigate called the Meshuda, commanded by Admiral Hamidou. After a tough fight, Decatur's fleet captured the Algerine frigate. This gave the Americans a big win over the Algerines.

Why the Battle Happened

The Second Barbary War was fought between the United States and the Regency of Algiers. The Algerines were attacking American ships in the Mediterranean Sea. They were also taking American sailors as prisoners.

Decatur's Mission

Stephen Decatur, Jr. was a famous American naval commander. His fleet left New York on May 20, 1815. Their job was to stop the Algerine attacks. They also had to make the Dey of Algiers (the ruler of Algiers) agree to peace terms.

Chasing the Algerine Ships

Decatur's fleet reached the Strait of Gibraltar on June 15, 1815. He learned that some Algerine warships had just passed through. Decatur decided to chase them. He wanted to catch them before they could get back to Algiers.

The Battle Begins

Decatur commanded a fleet of nine ships. On June 17, 1815, they found the Algerine flagship. This ship was the Mashouda (also called 'Meshuda'). It had forty-six guns. They met off Cape Gata, Spain.

The Chase and First Shots

Admiral Raïs Hamidou of the Mashouda saw that he was greatly outnumbered. He tried to escape towards the port of Algiers. But the American fleet was faster. They caught up to the Algerine ship. The American ship Constellation fired on the Mashouda. Admiral Hamidou was wounded. The Algerines then changed course. They tried to reach a safe port in Spain.

The Final Attack

The Constellation and the sloop Ontario got close to the Algerine frigate. They fired many shots at it. The Algerines fought back with muskets. Then, Decatur's own ship, the Guerriere, pulled up next to the Mashouda.

The Guerriere fired a powerful broadside (all its guns at once). This attack badly damaged the enemy ship. It also killed the Algerine admiral, Hamidou. Decatur stopped firing, expecting the Algerines to give up. But they kept fighting with muskets, even though it was hopeless.

So, Decatur ordered the sloop Epervier to fire more shots. The Epervier fired nine broadsides into the Meshuda. This caused terrible damage. Finally, the Algerines lowered their flag. This meant they surrendered, and the battle ended.

After the Battle

The Americans captured 406 Algerine sailors. Most of them were wounded, and thirty had been killed. The American side had very few losses. Only four Americans died, and ten were wounded. Most of these casualties were from a gun accident on the Guerriere.

Continuing the Mission

After the battle, the captured frigate was sent to Cartagena. Decatur's fleet then continued towards Algiers. On their way, they found another Algerine warship off Cape Palos. They fought and captured this ship too.

Ending the War

The loss of the Meshuda and Admiral Hamidou was a huge blow to the Algerines. It hurt their fighting spirit and their navy. When the American fleet reached Algiers, they faced no more resistance. Just by showing their strength, they convinced the Dey to agree to peace. This ended the war.

Images for kids

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  The Algerian Meshuda surrounded by an American fleet off Cape Gata

See also

In Spanish: Batalla del cabo de Gata para niños