Action of 28–29 December 1669
Appearance
Action of 28–29 December 1669 | |||||||
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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]
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Kempthorne's engagement, engraved by Wenceslaus Hollar (John Ogilby, Description of Africa, 1670)
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Painting of the action by Willem van de Velde the Younger, signed and dated 1676 (Royal Collection)
Notes
[edit]- ^ 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
[edit]- ^ a b c d "The "Mary Rose" Action, 28 December 1669 (RCIN 405223)". Royal Collection Trust.
- ^ a b c Allen, Joseph (1852). Battles of the British Navy. Vol. 1. London: Henry G. Bohn. p. 65. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Campbell, John (1812). Yorke, Henry Redhead (ed.). Lives of the British Admirals. Vol. 2 (New ed.). London: C. J. Barrington. p. 383.
External links
[edit]- "The 'Mary Rose' action, 8–18 December 1669 (PAH3905)". Royal Museums Greenwich.
- "The 'Mary Rose' action 8–18 December 1669? (PAF6585)". Royal Museums Greenwich.