The ‘Speedy’ Capturing the Spanish Frigate ‘El Gamo’ off Barcelona, 1801

HMS Speedy was a 14-gun Speedy-class brig of the British Royal Navy. Built in 1781 during the last years of the American War of Independence, she won distinction for herself in various engagements, and often against heavy odds, until she was struck in 1806. Under the command of Lord Cochrane, Speedy was cruising off Barcelona at dawn on 6 May 1801 when she sighted a large enemy frigate, a xebec-rigged vessel called El Gamo. Though he was outnumbered, carrying only 54 men to El Gamo's 319, Cochrane closed on the frigate rather than evading her. Having raised American colors to confuse his enemy, Cochrane drew closer and hoisted British colors, while managing to evade the first broadside. El Gamo fired again, which Cochrane also evaded, holding his fire until Speedy ran alongside. El Gamo attempted to fire upon her smaller opponent a third time, but her guns were mounted too high, causing their shot to pass through Speedy's sails and rigging, as depicted by Dawson. After a hard-fought battle between the two crews, the British had lost three men with nine wounded, while the Spanish had lost 14 killed and 41 wounded, a casualty list exceeding Speedy's entire complement. In 1847 the British Admiralty awarded the Naval General Service Medal with clasp 'Speedy 6 May 1801' to all surviving crew from the engagement.