Sack of Madeira facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sack of Madeira
Date 1617 Location Madeira, Portugal Result • Capture of Madeira • 1,200 enslaved
Belligerents
Portuguese Empire	Regency of Algiers
Strength
Unknown	8 vessels 800 men
Casualties and losses
1,200 enslaved	Unknown

The sack of Madeira occurred in 1617 when Algerian pirates sacked the Island and took 1,200 inhabitants as slaves.

The Algerians had established a base on the Islands of Cape Verde from which they operated against ships in the Atlantic.

In 1617 the Algerians arrived in Madeira with 8 vessels and 800 men. They plundered the Island and enslaved 1,200 inhabitants. During the sack, the Algerians burned the Island's archives and sacked much, including church bells. It is also said that they had emptied the Portuguese Island of Porto Santo enslaving 663 inhabitants.

The activity of the Algerian pirates only seemed to increase later sacking Baltimore in Ireland as well as the famous raid in Iceland.