The Algiers Expedition in 1567 was a failed Spanish attempt to invade Algiers by setting fire to the Algerian navy at night. The commander leading this expedition was executed.
Context
Juan Gascon was a Spanish marine from Valencia who had the idea of invading Algiers by calling for a slave rebellion among Spanish captives in Algiers. In the middle of 1567, he was given the command of 2 Spanish galleys, and with the authorization of Phillip II, he waited for the moment when the Algerian navy had to retreat from waters due to frequent storms in Fall and landed in the port of Algiers in October 1567.[2][3]
Expedition
After landing with his men, Juan Gascon found that the Algerian ships were tied together in the harbor, so he provided his men with inflammable materials (possibly fireworks) before going towards the Marine's tower and gave three loud knocks with his dagger, leaving it there as a token of his intrepidity. Meanwhile, his men did not manage to set the navy ablaze, making such a bustle and confusion that it alarmed the Algerian guards stationed in the bastion, who, who alerted the whole garrison of Algiers, Juan ordered his men to hold their ground, but eventually sensing the danger, he was forced to retreat, leaving the scene with all possible haste and taking only 20 Spanish captives with him.[2][1][3][4][5]
When Muhammad I knew about what happened he sent Della Raïs and 4 Galleys to pursue Juan and his men, while Juan slowed his galleys down after being more than 8 kilometers from Algiers to take some rest, however he woke up by the sight of the 4 Algerian galleys sailing towards him and after a hard battle, Juan was defeated and captured along with his Galleys and brought to Muhammad I, where the people of Algiers expressed their will for Juan to be executed, while the Reis wanted Juan to become a captive, Muhammad I ordered a gibbet to be installed where the Spaniards had landed, and Juan Gascon was executed, he was hoisted by a pulley above the execution wall and throw down upon a hook which caused instant death.[2][1][3][4][5][6]
References
- ^ a b c d Jackson, G. A. (1817). Algiers: Being a Complete Picture of the Barbary States: Their Government, Laws, Religion, and Natural Productions; and Containing a Sketch of Their Various Revolutions, a Description of the Domestic Manners and Customs of the Moors, Arabs, and Turks; an Account of the Four Great Capitals of Algiers, Tripoli, Tunis, and Morocco, and a Narrative of the Various Attacks Upon Algiers, by the European States; Including a Faithful Detail of the Late Glorious Victory of Lord Exmouth. R. Edwards.
- ^ a b c d Grammont, H. D. de (1887). Histoire d'Alger sous la domination turque (1515-1830) (in French). p. 101.
- ^ a b c A Short History of Algiers: With a Concise View of the Origin of the Rupture Between Algiers and the United States : to Which is Added a Copious Appendix Containing Letters from Captains Penrose, M'Shane, and Sundry Other American Captives ... Evert Duyckinck. 1805.
- ^ a b Yorke, Henry Redhead; Stevenson, William (1823). British Naval Achievements: Being an Accurate Account of the Lives and Actions of British Seaman from 1780 to the Last Expedition Against Algiers in 1816 : Forming an Uninterrupted Succession of Gallant Exploits on that Element, in Our Own Times in which the Fleets of Great Britain May be Truly Said to Have Had No Rival ... Richardson and Company, Harris and Company [and 5 others].
- ^ a b The Living Age. Living Age Company. 1846. p. 221.
- ^ BARBARY (1816). Historical Memoirs of Barbary, as connected with the plunder of the Seas; including a sketch of Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis ... and considerations of their present means of defence; and the original treaties entered into with them by King Charles II. Gale & Fenner.
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