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Revision as of 02:10, 30 May 2005
The Bombardment of Algiers took place on August 27, 1816. An Anglo-Dutch fleet under the command of Admiral Lord Exmouth bombarded ships and the harbour defences of Algiers.
Although there was a continuing campaign by various European and the American navies to suppress the piracy against Europeans by the North African Barbary states, the specific aim of this expedition was to free Christian slaves and to stop the practice of enslaving Europeans. In this end it was partially successful as the Dey of Algiers freed 1000 slaves following the bombardment and signed a treaty against slavery of Europeans. However the cessation of slavery did not last long.
Background
Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, the Royal Navy no longer needed the Barbary states as a source of supplies for Gibraltar and their fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. There was considerable political pressure exerted to end the practice of enslaving Christians by the Barbary states. In early 1816, Exmouth undertook a diplomatic missions, backed by a small squadron of ships of the line to Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers to convince the Deys to stop the practice and free the Christian slaves. The Deys of Tunis and Tripoli agreed without any resistance, but the Dey of Algiers did not. As a result it was determined to use force and the preparation for attack began.
External links
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