A really interesting mini display has just gone on display in the Museum's compass lounge. In connection with the TV series
Britain and the Sea, is a small display about the not very well known bombardment of Algiers in 1816. The bombardment was designed to force the Dey of Algiers to put an end to the practice of stopping European merchant ships plying the Mediterranean and charging 'tribute' (money) to proceed, with slavery as the alternative. The practice stretched back for centuries among the Barbary states of Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis and the European maritime nations often made treaties and gifts of quite powerful warships with the Barbary states as a way of seeking advantage over each other. Treaties were eventually made with Tunis and Tripoli but Algiers continued to refuse to bow to European pressure. The situation with the Dey of Algiers was summed up by Admiral Sir Edward Pellew who led the expedition:
the spirit of resistance that is rising in all Europe against the practices their squadrons have latterly indulged in and more especially the system pursued of retaining their prisoners in slavery and that such was the general feeling of indignation which this revolting practice had created that if persisted in he would have all the world in arms against him’.
In early 1816, just as Europe breathed a collective sigh of relief with the end of the Napoleonic conflict, a small Dutch squadron joined a larger British one under Admiral Sir Edward Pellew and the attempted bombardment of the formidable fortress of Algiers was the result.
There's an plan of the British and Dutch attack on the floor which looks great- in air brushed pink! Sadly we can't show an image but it's well worth a peek and in fact rather hard to miss this bombardment of colour if you are visiting the Museum. An eighteenth harbour plan with all the names of the squadron led by Admiral Edward Pellew, looks, well striking!
The Bombardment of Algiers, 27 August 1816.
In addition, some of the manuscripts on display include a copy of both the British ultimatum and peace treaty, as well as a list of the casualties in the fleet. Well worth a look:
http://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/events/bombardment-of-algiers-1816