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Wednesday 25 March 2020

British merchant frigate Mercury captured by Spanish privateers according to the Dutch newspaper Haagsche courant dated 10 October 1801

An item dated Algeciras, Spain 8th September reported that on 28 August the two Spansh privateers el Poderoso and el Gibraltar both of that harbour were at sea when gunfire from the coast of Barbary was heard. When the arrived at the location they sighted the British frigate Mercury of 214 last, coppered, 18 guns and 42 men fighting with the Spanish privateer Perla of Cadiz. The latter was forced to retreat after a battle of 1,5 hours. The other Spanish privateers attacked the British frigate damaging her heavy and forcing to surrender. She was towed to Algeciras where she arrived on 31 August. On board was some merchandise stored.