Jabeque (xebec) Gitano (1750)
After a long hiatus, another sailing ship of the Spanish Navy. I apologize for my poor English.
The xebecs were small vessels (about 100 - 200 tons) used by the Barbary corsairs to attack shipping and coastal towns. They were very seaworthy, fast and maneuverable, and usually had three masts with lateen sails to take advantage of shifting winds. They were armed with light cannons (four pounders) and had a large crew.
Antonio Barceló, a Mallorcan sailor who had a xebec dedicated to commerce, successfully defeated the pirate xebecs. After beating two Algerian galleots in 1738, was admitted to the Royal Navy as a frigate ensign. In 1748 was commissioned to lead a flotilla of xebecs, with so successful results that the Navy ordered several xebecs for surveillance. The Gitano of 1750 was one of a series of four light xebecs, of 250 tons, and was Barceló's flagship on several occasions. Later there were mediums (400 tons) and heavies (up to 680 tons) , almost comparable to frigates, faster but less armed.
Barceló was promoted further. For the Great Siege of Gibraltar in 1779 designed armored gunboats (not to be confused with the ill-fated floating batteries) that were a great success. For his performance he be-came a lieutenant general (equivalent to three-star admiral). In 1784 led a bombardment of Algiers in which combined gunboats, xebecs and ships, forcing the bey to ask for peace. After leading more actions against the corsairs, he passed away in 1797, at the age of eighty.
The drawing derived from a mail stamp, blueprints and models exhibied at the Naval Museum in Madrid.
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