At the beginning of the 17th century. The fleet of the Order of Malta, consisting of seven galleys, had the reputation of being the best fleet in the Mediterranean, constantly destroying sea pirates. The Order of Malta took part in the military actions of the Spaniards in North Africa against Algeria, with France in the colonization of Canada - in the first half of the century alone, the knights won 18 great victories at sea over the fleets of Tunisia and Algeria.
In 1977, Malta Post issued 3 stamps dedicated to naval battles with Algerian and Tunisian pirates.
Each stamp provides a little information about the event depicted.
2 scudi: The commander de Langon chases an Algerine corsair of 56 guns and 500 men, comes up with him oft’ 1714 of the isles d’Hieres, shoots all his masts by the board in an engagement of six hours, and sinks him when he could not prevail upon him to strike. They could save no more than two Christians and six Turks of all the crew.
Brief information on the stamp:
“Malimenlt Tuil” known as the “Golden Sun of Algieri” Thrown to the bottom of the Naue S.Catanina after a long combat followed in the seas of Prouenza. Under the leadership of the Commander Fra Adriano of Langon on 22 October 1714.”
4 tari . The squadron which the grand master had granted the king of Spain to guard his coasts, puts to sea 1721. under the command of the bailiff de Langon. The St. John man of war, of which the commodore was on board, meets, some days afterwards, with an Algerine vessel of 40 guns, comes up with her, and takes her after an hour’s engagement. Twenty Christian slaves were delivered, and 260 infidels made slaves. A few days after, they meet the squadron of Tunis, consisting of the admiral, the Patrone, and the Porcupine. The two first get off in the night, after a long and smart engagement; but the Porcupine was forced to strike, after having stood it out against all the live till ten at night. They save thirty-two Chris¬tians, who were slaves in this ship. This success, which was owing to the valour of captain Algonis de la Grois, casts such a terror over all the coast of Barbary, that no corsair dares stir out to cruise.
Brief information on the stamp:
“Battle of the Naue S. Giorgio with three vessels from Tunis and Presa Of one of them called “Porcupine” (Porco Spino) Made by the Commander d'Allognij de la Grois in the Malta Channel on 23 May 1721.”
40 grani. Brief information on the stamp:
“Capture of “Тhe Mistress of Tripoli” made in the waters between Paqntelleria and Barbaria from the ship “S. Vincenzo” made by the Knight Fra Giacomo Francesco de Chambraij being Communa: u Commada Andrea de Grille on 13 May 1723.”
There is not much information available about these battles, so any additions are always welcome.
3tari. Battle of Lepanto
On October 7, 1571, three galleys of the Order of Malta, under the command of Pietro Giustiniani on the left flank, participated in the combined Spanish-Venetian fleet in the defeat of the Turkish fleet of 240 ships at Lepanto, as a result of which Turkey no longer ruled the Mediterranean.
Three Maltese galleys withstood the terrible blow of thirty Turkish ships, losing only one of their ships. Total Turkish losses were 140 ships and 5,000 soldiers captured, many Turkish ships were destroyed and 30,000 soldiers were killed.
For more details about battle of Lepanto see: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10801.
Sovrano militari Ordino di Malta: 1977; 2scudi, 4tari, 40grani, 3tari.
Sources: https://books.google.ru/books?id=tQVGAQ ... g=PA166&dq.
The Knights of Malta. Volume IV. New York 1856. Page 162; 166.
Naval battles of the Order of Malta .XVIII century
Naval battles of the Order of Malta .XVIII century
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