Battle of the Bay of Velez

The Battle of the Bay of Velez was a naval battle between the forces of Salah Reis and a Portuguese flotilla in which the forces of Salah Reis emerged victorious.[1][2]

Battle of the Bay of Velez
Date July 5, 1553 Location Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Spain Result Ottoman-Algerian victory[1][2]
Belligerents
Portuguese Empire	Regency of Algiers
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Salah Reis
Strength
Unknown	40 vessels
Casualties and losses
Unknown deaths, all captured	Unknown

During the winter of 1552-1553 in Algiers, this time was devoted to outfitting a fleet.[3] In the beginning of June, Salah Reis embarked from Algiers and set out with a fleet of 40 vessels, galliots, galleys and brigantines.[3][2]

On July 5 1553 while at sea with his squadron, Salah Reis came across and defeated a Portuguese fleet at the bay of Velez.[2][1] The entire flotilla and caravels were captured and the Portuguese, Moroccans and all were taken captive and brought to the Velez.[3]

The booty was apparently offered to the Saadi ruler as a token of friendship and neighbourliness and also to dissuade him from launching raids on Oran.[3] Despite this offer a new border incident had occurred and Salah Reis spent his winter preparing an expedition against Morocco, after which he would defeat the Saadi ruler in the Battle of Taza.[3]