Bombardment of Algiers (1784)

2nd Bombardment of Algiers
Part of Spanish-Barbary Conflicts (1694–1784)
Algiers' harbour. Engraving from 1690.
Date 12 July 1784 Location Algiers, Ottoman empire (present day Algeria) Result Decisive Allied victory
Belligerents
Spain Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Order of Saint John Portugal	Regency of Algiers
Commanders and leaders
Antonio Barceló	Dey of Algiers
Strength
Spain: 4 ships of the line 4 frigates 12 xebecs 12 minor vessels 71 gunboats and bomb vessels Two Sicilies: 2 ships of the line 3 frigates 2 xebecs 2 brigs Order of Malta: 1 ship of the line 2 frigates 5 galleys Portugal: 2 ships of the line 2 frigates	At least: 4,000 Ottoman volunteers 50 guns 70 galiots and gunboats
Casualties and losses
1 felucca sunk 1 gunboat exploded 53 killed and 64 wounded	Massive damage to the fortifications Heavy human and naval losses

The 2nd Bombardment of Algiers took place between 12 and 21 July 1784. A joint Spanish-Neapolitan-Maltese-Portuguese fleet commanded by the experienced Spanish Admiral Antonio Barceló bombarded the city, which was the main base of the Barbary corsairs, with the aim of forcing them to interrupt their activities. Massive damage and casualties were inflicted to the Algerians, while the loss aboard the allied fleet was low. The Dey of Algiers refused to start negotiations immediately but the fear of a third planned expedition under José de Mazarredo convinced him to negotiate a peace with the Spanish by which he was forced to cease large-scale piracy, signalling the effective end of the Barbary privateering until the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars.

In August 1783, as punishment for the acts of piracy undertaken by the city, a Spanish fleet with Maltese participation under Antonio Barceló bombarded Algiers for 8 days. The success of the attack, achieved at the cost of less than 50 casualties, caused joy in Spain and encouraged the Regency of Tripoli to make peace with Spain. Despite the heavy damage suffered, the Algerians did not surrender. Five Algerian privateers captured two Spanish merchant vessels near Palamós in September 1783 as a gesture of defiance. The city's defenses were reinforced with a new 50-gun fortress, 4,000 Turkish volunteer soldiers were recruited in Anatolia, and European advisors were hired to assist in the building fortifications and batteries. In addition, at least 70 vessels were prepared to repel the Spanish, and a reward of one thousand gold pieces was offered by the Dey to anyone who captured a ship of the attacking fleet.

Meanwhile, in Cartagena, Barceló had finished preparations for a new expedition. His fleet consisted of four 80-gun ships of line, four frigates, 12 xebecs, 3 brigs, 9 small vessels, and an attacking force of 24 gunboats armed with pieces of 24 pounds, 8 more with 18 pounds' pieces, 7 lightly armed to board the Algerian vessels, 24 armed with mortars, and 8 bomb vessels with 8 pound pieces. The expedition was financed by Pope Pius VI and supported by the Navy of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, which provided two ships of the line, three frigates, two brigs and two xebecs under Admiral Bologna, by the Order of Malta, which provided a ship of line, two frigates and five galleys, and by that of Portugal, which provided two ships of line and two frigates under Admiral Ramirez Esquivel. These last joined the allied fleet later and arrived in the middle of the bombardment.

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