Dictionary of Battles / From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

by Thomas Benfield Harbottle

Algiers, Bombardment of.

In 1816 Lord Exmouth, in command of 19 British war ships, and accompanied by 6 Dutch ships under Van Capellan, bombarded the forts of Algiers, mounting 500 guns. The bombardment lasted for about eight hours, and resulted in the destruction of the forts and a large part of the city. The Dey then gave way, and agreed to the total abolition of Christian slavery in his dominions. The loss of the allies amounted to 885 killed and wounded; that of the Algerines to over 6,000.