Action of 6 May 1801

Significance

The action of 6 May 1801 produced one of the most asymmetric single-ship captures of the French Revolutionary Wars. HMS Speedy, a brig-sloop carrying 14 guns and a crew of 54, took the Spanish xebec-frigate El Gamo, which mounted 32 guns and carried 319 men — a disparity of roughly six to one in crew strength. The Spanish captain Francisco de Torres was among the 14 killed, and the remainder of El Gamo's crew were captured. The prize was subsequently sold to the Regency of Algiers. The engagement became closely associated with Lord Cochrane's reputation for audacious offensive action against superior forces, and stood as a notable British success during the War of the Second Coalition in the Mediterranean theater.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)