Battle of Mariel

naval Battle delivered the February 10th 1828, with broad of Mariel, Cuba.

The September 28th 1821, the Mexico acquires its independence, after several years of war cruel to the Spain. This country still has important colonies in the Gulf of Mexico, such as Puerto Rico or Cuba, and the Mexican authorities fear that they are not used as bases with forwardings of revenge for the old colonial power, which did not accept its defeat yet.

It is under these conditions that matures with Mexico City the project to drive out the Spaniards of Cuba and for this purpose, a fleet is necessary. Very quickly, the unrealistic character of the project appears; however a Escadre made up of three Brigantin S, the Hermon , Bravo and Guerrero , is entrusted to the American commodore David Porter, with for mission of badgering the enemy lines of communication in the area, which, failing to force Espanols to leave Cuba, at least makes it possible to be informed their intentions and to perhaps obstruct, to even prevent their attempts at reconquest.

With the beginning of the year 1828, the small Mexican squadron crosses in cuban water. February 10th, the Guerrero ordered by the captain David Henry To carry, the younger brother of the commodore To carry, sees with broad of Mariel, several Spanish tradind ships, escorted by the brigantin Marte and the Goélette Amélia . The Guerrero passes to the attack and constrained to the escape the Iberian buildings. The authorities of Havana are at once advised of the incident and reacting with greatest celerity, send the frigate Lealtad armed with fifty guns, against the intruder.

In end of the afternoon, the Guerrero is located by the Lealtad . The Mexican ship tries to flee, but the Spanish frigate is faster and manages to catch up with it. The alternative offered to David Henry Porter is simple: or to go or fight battle, knowing that the power of the Spanish ship hardly leaves doubt as for the exit of the confrontation. After consultation of the crew, David Henry Porter however chooses the fight and the cannonade begins. After two hours and half of an unequal combat, at the time which perishes the American captain, the Guerrero is constrained to bring its house. The Spaniards bring back the ship overcome with Havana and after repair, integrate it into their fleet, under the new name of El Cautivo .

Concerns of the Mexicans as for the quarrelsome intentions of the Spaniards were to appear founded. In 1829, a powerful forwarding leaves Cuba and unloads with Tampico, to try to reestablish in Mexico. It is however beaten by the troops of the general Antonio López de Santa Anna and with this rout, the last Spanish hopes of reconquest fly away definitively.

External bonds

http://www.semar.gob.mx/historia/sinopsis2.htm - article on the Mexican navy

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