Raid on Penzance

The Raid on Penzance was a military operation initiated by the Barbary Pirates of Algiers against Britain in Penzance in July of 1640.

Raid on Penzance
Penzance Bay
Date July 1640 Location Penzance, United Kingdom Result Algerian victory
Belligerents
Regency of Algiers	England
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	60 captured

Background

The situation continued to worsen at mid-century and the 'British were largely powerless in stopping the corsairs' during the British Civil Wars and the Protectorate.^[1]

Raid

In 1640, 60 Algerian fleets were spotted traversing the English Channel.^[1] In July of that year, they launched a raid on Penzance in Cornwall, seizing 60 men, women, and children.^[2][3][4][5] Following this, the number of Christian slaves taken captive in Algiers reached 25,000, with 3,000 of them being English.^[2][3][4]

Aftermath

The period of the Civil Wars and the Protectorate was a time of vulnerability for England, which was unable to prevent the Barbary raids. It was not until the late 17th century under Charles II (after 1660) that the Royal Navy was able to begin to effectively combat the corsairs.