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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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In late November, a Maltese fleet of two frigates, a xebec, and a bark clashed with three Algerine pirate ships off Sardinia and Sicily. The battle lasted hours, with both commanders killed. All ships were destroyed except the Maltese bark, which escaped damaged; pirate survivors were captured.
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LEGHORN, Dec. 12.
The latter end of last month a Maltese fleet, consisting of two frigates, one xebeque, and one bark, was cruising off between the islands of Sardinia and Sicily, they fell in with three Algerine rovers of equal force. The former was commanded by a noble Knight of Malta, and the latter by a fellow called Aza, both men of undaunted courage and great resolution, well known in these seas for their enmity to each other's cause. Aza, the chief of the pirates, ran his ship along side of that which the noble Knight himself commanded, and poured in a broadside, which carried away the mizen mast, and did considerable damage to the after rigging; the charge was returned with the greatest spirit, and then began one of the most desperate and resolute battles that ever was fought in these parts. The two commodores engaged each other yard-arm and yard-arm for upwards of 3 hours, which caused horrid carnage on both sides.
The barbarians attempted to board seven times sword in hand, but were as often beat off with great slaughter. The valiant Knight was slain by a lance in the midst of the action as he was firing off a blunderbuss, and Aza, his daring antagonist was shot thro' the head by a musket ball soon after.
Notwithstanding the destruction of these champions, the battle continued with the utmost fury, until they both were reduced to mere wrecks, their masts, sails, and rigging all gone, the rudders shot away, and not a yard of canvas left in either. In this disabled state, did keep up a constant fire with grape and canister shot, and with the great guns battering each other and wearing bitterly never to strike.
At last the Maltese blew up with a most tremendous explosion, and five minutes after the chief of the pirates sunk, and not a man was saved. The other parts of the fleets were engaged all the time with the same obstinacy, and reduced to near the same condition, The xebeque was sunk, and one of the pirate's ships, which the robbers had lashed to one of the frigates.
The bark escaped, in a very shattered condition, and the other rover sunk the next morning, and what remained of her crew were taken up from a raft two days after by a Tunisian corsair and carried into Tunis.
[Paris paper.]
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Between The Islands Of Sardinia And Sicily
Event Date
Latter End Of Last Month
Key Persons
Outcome
both commanders killed; maltese fleet blown up with no survivors; xebeque sunk; one pirate ship sunk lashed to frigate; bark escaped damaged; other rover sunk, crew captured and taken to tunis
Event Details
Maltese fleet of two frigates, one xebeque, and one bark cruising off Sardinia and Sicily encountered three Algerine rovers. Commanders engaged in fierce yard-arm battle for over 3 hours with heavy casualties. Pirates attempted to board seven times but repelled. Ships reduced to wrecks, continued firing until Maltese exploded, pirate flagship sank shortly after. Other engagements: xebeque and one pirate ship sunk, bark escaped, remaining pirate sunk with crew rescued by Tunisian corsair.