Battle of Algeciras (1801)

The battles of Algeciras is a naval action which took place in the Baie of Gibraltar in July 1801. The battle proceeded in two distinct parts, separated from several days, and was played between the French and Spanish allied forces against the British forces. The Spanish port of Algeciras and the British port of Gibraltar face one with the other and are separated from a few nautical kilometers on each with dimensions of bay of Gibraltar.

Circumstances

After the businesses of Oporto-Ferraïo and isle of Elba, the admiral Linois renewed with Toulon three vessels reached of epidemic, and the June 13rd 1801, it left this port with the same buildings and the frigate Muiron to go to Cadiz to join the Spanish squadron.

It fights the British squadron of James Saumarez, higher of number. It marks its superiority in the first part of the combat, capturing HMS Hannibal; but at the time of the return to Cadiz, two Spanish ships, misled by an attack of night of the British, cannonade one the other and are lost.

It had on board 1.600 troops. It took on its road a brig of 24 guns and 64 men of crew, ordered by Lord Cochrane. It was well to begin; but soon it was going to deal with stronger part. Arrived at the entry of the Straits of Gibraltar, he learned by a boat dispatched from the coast which he was between two English squadrons, one coming from Cadiz and the other the broad one. He took the party to throw himself in bay of Gibraltar, and he wet the July 4th at the evening in the roads of Algésiras. Two days after, the English were opposite him with six vessels and a frigate.

Its defeat seemed certain, it changed it into triumph. This feat of arms is reported thus that it follows in the Moniteur of time (30 messidor year IX):

the rear-admiral Linois, with three vessels, '' Formidable the '' and '' Untameable the '', of 80 guns, captains Laindet-Lalonde and Moscousu, the Desaix , of 74 guns, Christi-Landing captain , and the frigate Muiron , of 18, captain Martinenq, after having given hunting to the enemy vessels which crossed on the Côtes of Provence, was presented in front of Gibraltar at the time when an English squadron of six vessels arrived there. The 15 messidor, the rear-admiral Linois was wet in bay of Algeciras, expecting to be attacked, the next morning. In the night, it unloaded the brigadier general Deveaux, with part of the troops, to arm the batteries with the roads.

the 16, at eight o'clock in the morning, the cannonade started against the six English vessels, which were not long in coming embosser to range from rifle from the French vessels. The combat then warmly engaged. The two squadrons appeared also animated resolution to overcome. If the French squadron had some advantage by its position, the English squadron was of a double force, and had several vessels of ninety. Already the English vessel Annibal had managed to be placed between the French squadron and the ground. It was eleven hours and half: it was the decisive moment. For two hours Formidable the , which the rear-admiral Linois assembled, had held head with three English vessels. One of the vessels of the English squadron which was embossé with respect to one of the French vessels, brought back its house there to eleven hours three quarters. One moment after, Annibal , exposed to the fire of the batteries of the three French vessels which drew from the two edges, brought to also it his. To midday and half, the English squadron cut its cables and gained the broad one. The vessel Annibal was amariné by Formidable the . On 600 men of crew, 300 were killed. The first English vessel which had brought its house was released by a great quantity of launches drain-holes and other boats sent of Gibraltar. The combat covers glory the French Army, and attests what it can do. The rear-admiral Linois must be in Cadiz with Annibal to repair it.

Thermidor 9, the chief of the government gave to the admiral Linois an official testimony of the satisfaction of the French Republic by the following decree:

PATENT Of HONOR.

“Bonaparte, first Consul, considering that the rear-admiral Linois so skilfully made use of the average soldiers and maritime who were at his disposal and whom it deployed as well courage as, in spite of the inequality of its forces, he was not limited to a glorious defense, but which he managed to entirely disable the English squadron, to force two vessels of seventy-four to bring their house and to seize the vessel Annibal ; wanting to reward a as honourable act of war for the weapons for the Republic as for the general officer to whom it command of division was entrusted, decrees, as national reward, the rear-admiral Linois a saber of honor. ”

However, the English admiral prépaparait himself to come to ask for account of his defeat: As of messidor, it left Gibraltar again to take again its observation post. Party the same day of Cadiz, gift Juan de Moreno brought to the French admiral five vessels, three frigates and a brig.

Engagement took place the 23: two Spanish vessels, misled by the darkness, fought with eagerness, took fire and jumped together. The French vessel the Saint-Anthony , of 74 guns, brought its house; but Formidable the , with the catches with three vessels and a English frigate, remained Master of the battle field.

Internal bonds

Henri de Rigny, taking part French of the battle

Partial source

External bonds

a description of the battle.

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