Action of 28–29 December 1669
On 28 December 1669, as the Mary Rose, a third-rate, carrying forty-eight guns, with a crew of 230 men, commanded by Captain John Kempthorn, was convoying a fleet of merchant ships through the Straits of Gibraltar, seven large Algerine corsairs, full of men, stood towards her. Captain Kempthorn ordered the convoy to make sail, while he, single-handed, advanced to engage the foe. The fighting continued into the following day, as the Algerines attacked the Mary Rose with much fury, and boarded her; but were beaten off with considerable loss. The convoy reached Cádiz in safety.
- Kempthorne's engagement, engraved by Wenceslaus Hollar (John Ogilby, Description of Africa, 1670)
- Painting of the action by Willem van de Velde the Younger, signed and dated 1676 (Royal Collection)
| Action of 28–29 December 1669 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| England | Corsairs of Algiers | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Capt. John Kempthorn | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1 frigate, escorting a convoy of armed merchantman | 7 large ships | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Heavy | |||||||
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