Sign In

- Or use -
Forgot Password Create Account
This item has been sold, but you can enter your email address to be notified if another example becomes available.
Description

A Key Battle In the War Against the  Barbary Pirates and the Taking of European Slaves

A fine contemporary illustration of the bombardment of Algiers by a joint English and Dutch Fleet.

The map includes an extensive key, in English, identifying 55 points of interest, including Algerian Fortifications, Mosques, Water Aqueducts, Palace of the Dey of Algiers, positions of batteries, Dutch and English ship names,  A number of the entries provide an account of the battle, artillery, exploding vessels, etc.

The Impregnable was struck numerous times during the battle and lost 150 men.

The Bombardment of Algiers in August 1816, was an attempt by Britain and the Netherlands to end the slavery practices of Omar Agha, the Dey of Algiers. An Anglo-Dutch fleet under the command of Admiral Lord Exmouth bombarded ships and the harbor defences of Algiers.

There was a continuing campaign by various European navies and the American navy to suppress the piracy against Europeans by the North African Barbary states. The specific aim of this expedition, however, was to free Christian slaves and to stop the practice of enslaving Europeans. To this end, it was partially successful, as the Dey of Algiers freed around 3,000 slaves following the bombardment and signed a treaty against the slavery of Europeans. However, this practice did not end completely until the French conquest of Algeria.

The map was drawn by William Roddam (1793-1864), who was then William Spencer-Stanhope.  William Roddam, R.N. of Roddam Hall, Northumberland,  was the fourth son of Walter Spencer Stanhope, Esq. of Cannon Hall.  He joined the royal navy in 1806 as a Lieutenant and rose to the level of captain. As lieutenant, he was at the siege of Algiers, under Admiral Milne, in the Impregnable, which lost 150 men on board, killed or wounded. William assumed the name of Roddam under the will of his kinsman, Admiral Robert Roddam, of Roddam Hall, in Northumberland, of which county he was high sheriff in 1834.  

Condition Description
Pen & Ink with wash color. Laid on a thicker sheet of cardstock. Some abrasion and loss to surface in places, evenly toned.