Action of 28–29 December 1669

On 28 December 1669, as the Mary Rose, a third-rate, carrying forty-eight guns, with a crew of 230 men, commanded by Captain John Kempthorn, was convoying a fleet of merchant ships through the Straits of Gibraltar, seven large Algerine corsairs, full of men, stood towards her. Captain Kempthorn ordered the convoy to make sail, while he, single-handed, advanced to engage the foe. The fighting continued into the following day, as the Algerines attacked the Mary Rose with much fury, and boarded her; but were beaten off with considerable loss. The convoy reached Cádiz in safety.