Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The Battle off Cape Gata, which took place June 17, 1815, was the first battle of the Second Barbary War. A squadron of vessels under the command of Stephen Decatur met and engaged the flagship of the Algerian Navy, the frigate Meshuda under Admiral Hamidou. After a sharp action, Decatur's squadron was able to capture the Algerian frigate and win a decisive victory over the Algerians. Stephen Decatur's squadron left New York on May 20th with orders to destroy Algerian vessels and bring the Dey of Algiers to terms for attacking American shipping.