Attack on Malaga, 29th April 1812

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Attack on Malaga

29th April 1812
Part of : The Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815)
Previous action : Action of 1812-04-16 16.4.1812
Next action : Capture of the Apelles 3.5.1812 - 4.5.1812
 

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Hyacinth (20) 1806-1820
British 20 Gun
Unrated Sloop
Thomas UssherBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1794-1838
Fleet Flagship
Goshawk (16) 1806-1813
British 16 Gun
Unrated Sloop
James LilburneBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1798-1812
,
Thomas Ball ClowesBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1809-1814
†		 CO Killed
Resolute (12) 1805-1852
British 12 Gun
Unrated Gun-brig
Thomas PettmanBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1805-1814
Gunboat No. 16 (3) 1808-1815
British 3 Gun
Unrated Gunboat
Thomas CullBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1803-1815
 

Kingdom of Naples

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Intrepido (10) 1812-1812
Neapolitan 10 Gun
Privateer Unknown
Giuseppe BavastroFrench
Privateer
Merchant Sailor
Service 1807-1812
 Captured
Napoleone (10) 1812-1812
Neapolitan 10 Gun
Privateer Unknown
  Captured
 

Notes on Action


DescriptionTRN5
The end of April witnessed what was practically the conclusion of the European exploits of one of the most famous of the Genoese privateers, Giuseppe Bavastro, whose name to this day is a centre of wondrous traditions in Italy. On April 29th, 1812, Captain Thomas Ussher, of the Hyacinth, 20, with his own boats, and those of the Goshawk, 16, Commander James Lilburn, and Resolute, Lieutenant John Keenan, and with the gunboat No. 16, Lieutenant Thomas Cull, attacked a flotilla of privateers commanded by Bavastro, then lying within the mole at Malaga, under the protection of two batteries. In his gig, supported by Lieutenant Thomas Hastings, Ussher dashed at the larger battery, which mounted fifteen long 24-prs., and carried it in less than five minutes, turning its guns on the opposite castle of Gibralfaro. In the meantime, the other boats had pulled into the harbour, and taken several prizes; but, when Ussher joined them, he found them much exposed to the fire from Gibralfaro and from the French 57th Regt., on the mole; and, as the moon then shone brightly, the position was so critical that he contented himself with bringing out Bavastro's own vessel, the Intrepido, 10, and the Napoleone, of the same force, and with leaving the rest as much damaged as possible. In this most gallant affair the British, out of 149 people engaged, had 15, including Commander James Lilburn, of the Goshawk, killed, and 53 wounded. Among the officers who specially distinguished themselves, other than those already mentioned, were Lieutenants Francis Brockell Spilsbury (wounded) and Allen Otty.
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