Seafaring Sunday: Daring Success

May 6, 1801: Thomas Cochrane, commanding 14 gun sloop HMS Speedy, takes the much larger Spanish xebec frigate El Gamo commanded by Francisco de Torris off Barcelona.  De Torris was killed in the action while Cochrane made his name as a daring, capable naval commander.

Header: HMS Speedy takes El Gamo via Age of Sail (click over to read an excellent evaluation of the action)