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Action of 28–29 December 1669

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Action of 28–29 December 1669
Date28–29 December 1669
Location
Result English victory
Belligerents
 England Corsairs of Algiers
Commanders and leaders
Capt. John Kempthorn
Strength
1 frigate, escorting a convoy of armed merchantman 7 large ships
Casualties and losses
Heavy

On 28 December 1669,[1] as the Mary Rose, a third-rate, carrying forty-eight guns, with a crew of 230 men, commanded by Captain John Kempthorn, was convoying a fleet of merchant ships through the Straits of Gibraltar, seven large Algerine corsairs, full of men, stood towards her.[2] Captain Kempthorn ordered the convoy to make sail, while he, single-handed, advanced to engage the foe.[2] The fighting continued into the following day,[1] as the Algerines attacked the Mary Rose with much fury, and boarded her; but were beaten off with considerable loss.[2][a] The convoy reached Cádiz in safety.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ The above is as recorded by Campbell;[3] but there is an original picture representing this engagement—or perhaps a later engagement involving the Kingfisher—in the Painted Hall at Greenwich, underneath which are the following lines:
    Two we burnt, and two we sunk, and two did run away;
    And one we carried to Leghorn Roads, to show we'd won the day.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "The "Mary Rose" Action, 28 December 1669 (RCIN 405223)". Royal Collection Trust.
  2. ^ a b c Allen, Joseph (1852). Battles of the British Navy. Vol. 1. London: Henry G. Bohn. p. 65. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Campbell, John (1812). Yorke, Henry Redhead (ed.). Lives of the British Admirals. Vol. 2 (New ed.). London: C. J. Barrington. p. 383.
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