Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
Captain James Neill of the brig Mary Ann reports a narrow escape from two Algerian corsairs off Cape Palos in July 1796, while en route from Barcelona to Cadiz. He warns of potential captures of American vessels in the Mediterranean after the U.S. truce with Algiers expired on July 6, and mentions rumors of impending war between Britain and Spain.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
NEW-YORK. August 29.
Extract of a letter from capt. James Neill, of the brig Mary Ann, dated Cadiz, July 12, 1796, to his owners in New-York; received per the ship Factor, capt. Kemp, just arrived from thence.
"Thank God. I am here! for I had a very fortunate escape from two Algerines, I fell in with off Cape Palos, coming down from Barcelona. They endeavored to board me, knowing well what I was, by showing my colors, as also by speaking a Spanish ship, which was the Solou, along with me; but luckily I was near the land and got under one of the towers, and let go my anchor, which protected me. When the Algerines found I was thus situated, they fired a gun to windward and made sail to the westward—I considered it would be imprudent and dangerous immediately to follow them, so I put into the port of Carthagena which detained me six days.
I shall not be surprised to hear in a few days, of many of our vessels being captured and carried into Algiers—There are several of them in the Mediterranean, and our truce expired on the sixth inst. and no hopes of its renewal, or any other favorable circumstance taking place. There is great talk of war commencing between Great Britain and Spain shortly, which I believe will be the case. All English vessels that are in this port at present are ordered to Gibraltar, and they are to sail from hence to morrow at all events."
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Cape Palos
Event Date
July 1796
Key Persons
Outcome
fortunate escape from capture; no casualties reported; detained six days in carthagena; potential future captures of american vessels anticipated after truce expiration.
Event Details
Captain James Neill of the brig Mary Ann encountered two Algerines off Cape Palos while sailing from Barcelona; they attempted to board but he anchored under a protective tower near land; Algerines departed westward; he proceeded to Carthagena for six days before continuing to Cadiz.