Battle
Commanding a fleet of nine vessels, he encountered the Algerian flagship Mashouda (also spelled 'Mashuda' or 'Meshuda') of forty-six guns off Cape Gata, Spain. Being heavily outnumbered the admiral Rais Hamidou decided to try to flee to the port of Algiers, but was overtaken by the American squadron. After receiving damage from the Constellation and the admiral himself being wounded, the Algerians instead decided to change course and try for the safety of a neutral port along the Spanish coast.
Unfortunately for the Algerians the Constellation and the sloop Ontario were able to close in and hammer the Algerian frigate. The Algerians resorted to replying with musket fire at close range, but Decatur was able to get his flagship the Guerriere alongside the Algerian frigate. Firing a devastating broadside, the Guerriere crippled the enemy and killed the Algerian admiral. Decatur ceased firing, expecting the Algerian ship to surrender. Instead the Algerians continued to fight hopelessly with muskets as long as they were able. As a result Decatur had the sloop Epervier fire nine broadsides into the Meshuda with disastrous effect. The bloodied Algerians then struck their colors and ended the battle.
Read more about this topic: Battle Off Cape Gata
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