First Battle of Topolobampo

Tampico in 1908.

Date	March 4, 1914
Location	off Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico
Result	Huerista victory, Constitutionalist gunboat forced to flee into Topolobambpo's harbor.

Belligerents

Constitutionalists

Huertistas

Commanders and leaders

Hilario Malpica

Navio Torres

Strength

1 gunboat

2 gunboats

Casualties and losses

none

Both federal and rebel forces flew the same Mexican National Ensign during the naval campaign off Topolobampo.

The First Battle of Topolobampo was a bloodless engagement and one of the few naval battles of the Mexican Revolution. The small action occurred off Topolobampo, Mexico and involved three gunboats, two from the Mexican Navy and another which mutinied from the armada and joined the rebel Constitutionalists. It was fought on the morning of March 4, 1914 and was the first battle of the naval campaign in the Gulf of California.

On Sunday 22 February 1914, off Guaymas, Mexico a mutiny began at about 8:00 pm when the Mexican Navy gunboat Tampico was refitting for a cruise. Half of the officers and crew were still enjoying shore leave when Executive Officer Lieutenant Hilario Rodríguez Malpica and three other officers began to rally the remaining crew aboard Tampico. The mob of sailors then headed for their captain, whom they arrested with violence. Malpica, who had assumed command of the mutineers, informed Captain Manuel Azueta that he intended to sail Tampico to join the Constitutionalists. (There are various stories about why Lieutenant Malpica resorted to mutiny, however none are known to be true). The Tampico started and intended to head westward.

Just then the Huerista gunboat Guerrero, under Captain Navio Torres, was spotted in front of Tampico. Malpica steamed Tampico straight for Guerrero, hoping to ram and sink her. Unfortunately for Tampico, her steering gear malfunctioned and she was forced to turn around and head for Topolobampo in Sinaloa.

The mutineers transferred Tampico's former captain to a merchant vessel, the SS Herrerias, which took him to Mazatlán, which was still in federal hands at the time. Tampico made it to Topolobampo, which became her home port throughout the subsequent naval campaign. Because Tampico was short half of her crew, twenty-five Sinaloan insurgents were ordered to her to become sailors.

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Wikipedia