The “Lancha Bombardeira” (Gunboat) was intended to attack fortifications and took a remarkable part in the action against the city and the fortified places in Algiers, in July 1784.
For this operation she was integrated in the allied fleet of Portugal, Spain, Naples and Malta.
Lieutenant-general D. Antonio Barcelo was the commander of this fleet.
The commander of the Portuguese armada was the Sea-colonel Bernardo Ramirez Esquivel.
On board the Portuguese gunboats No 1 and No 7, the Portuguese sailors fought valiantly, launching attack upon attack against the enemy’s fortifications. Their courage, braving every danger, is mentioned in the report of Lieutenant-general Barcelo.
The midshipman Prudencio Rebelo dies at his post after a heroic combat, on board the gunboat No 7.
The Portuguese ships, taking advantage of an opportunity to post themselves sideways of the fleet, lined with the other units placed from North to South, in view of braving and repulsing the gunboats of the enemy whenever these units came within their reach.
The commander of the Portuguese armada assumed the command of one of the gunboats and of two gunboats in their successive attacks.
The gunboats carried one 18 or 24 pdr. gun.
Mozambique 1963 7e50 sg562, scott448.
Source: Watercraft Philately Volume 15 page 37.