One of the early engagements of the U.S. Navy's West Indies anti-piracy campaign, resulting in the mortal wounding of Lieutenant William Howard Allen.
Key Facts
- Date
- 9 November 1822
- U.S. vessel
- USS Alligator (schooner)
- Pirate vessels
- Three pirate schooners
- U.S. casualties
- 7
- U.S. commander
- Lieutenant William Howard Allen
- Distance from Matanzas
- 15 leagues offshore
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A large band of pirates operating approximately fifteen leagues from Matanzas, Cuba captured several merchant vessels and held them for ransom during a period of widespread piracy in the West Indies. Upon learning of these attacks, USS Alligator, under Lieutenant William Howard Allen, was dispatched to rescue the captured vessels and apprehend the pirates.
Because the bay's shallow water prevented USS Alligator from engaging directly, Allen personally led boats to assault the pirate schooner Revenge. The Americans forced the pirates to abandon Revenge, but the buccaneers fought their way out of the bay, inflicting seven casualties on the U.S. forces before escaping.
With Allen mortally wounded, the American boats abandoned pursuit of the fleeing pirates. Despite the escape of the buccaneers, U.S. forces successfully recovered the merchant vessels that had been held captive in the bay, achieving the rescue mission's primary objective.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lieutenant William Howard Allen.
Side B
1 belligerent