Spanish expedition to Balanguingui
Encyclopedia
The Balanguingui Expedition of 1848 was an amphibious campaign
organized by Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa
, the governor-general of the Spanish Philippines, to capture the Balanguingui island, in the Sulu Archipelago
, from the Moro Pirates
, who were using it as a base for their piratical
activities. The expedition, composed of 19 warships of various sizes under José Ruiz de Apodaca, set sail from Manila
, being joined by additional forces at Daitan and Zamboanga
, and arrived to Balanguingui on 12 February. The island was defended by four strongholds. After a landing near one of these forts, a naval bombardment and an assault succeeded in capturing the building. The second and biggest fort, as well as a minor nearby fortification, were taken by the Spaniards three days later in a bloody assault. On 21 February the remaining fort was easily captured. The campaign ended shortly after. It was a major blow to the piracy, as the Spaniards succeeded in capturing four forts and several villages, which they burned, along with more than 150 proa
s in the hands of the pirates. About 550 captives were also freed during the operation.
and, in general, the south of the Philippines
, were a usual haven of Muslim pirates, who devastated the coasts of the archipelago in search of booty and prisoners that they later sold on the market of Jolo
. The Spanish government proposed the elimination of piracy, for which several expeditions were carried out against the pirate havens since 1843. One of the major expeditions was led by Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa, the governor-general of the Spanish colony, in the early 1848. He organized at Manila a fleet of 19 warships under Brigadier
José Ruiz de Apodaca including 2 steamers
, 2 schooner
s and 3 brig
s, plus several small vessels, as gunboat
s and felucca
s. Aboard this ships were embarked on 27 January 3 infantry regular companies under Lieutenant Colonel Arrieta. Two other companies, a beefeater battalion, a public safety sting, an artillery detachement, and some engineers and workers were later embarked. The flagship of the fleet was the steamer Reina de Castilla. The fleet was joined by several transports at Daitan, and, on 17 February, set sail to Balanguingui, a major pirate base, being reinforded in its way by several Filipino local vessels called vintas and 150 auxiliaries of Zamboanga.
Balanguingui was small island with an area of 6 square miles, covered of mangroves and jungle. The ground was so flat and swampy that when the tide rose, just a few sandbanks ramained dried. Four forts stood over this sandbanks, surrounded by some houses built on stilts. A shallow channel divided the island in two portions, also spreading into several branches which penetrated inside the ground, making of Balanguingui a true maze. The forts were known by the names of Sipac, Balanguingui, Sungap and Bocutingol. The first two were the biggest, and were located at the tip of the largest estuary. Their walls were built with trunks ranging from 2 to 3 feets in diameter and from 18 to 20 in height, and were reinforced by fences and stone embankments.
auxiliaries, were landed. The three first were entrusted the capture of the fort, while the second one and the auxiliaries, under Andrés Arriete, were a reserve force. Two steamers and two schooners, with support of several minor vessels, began to shell the fort. Once struck the resistance of the pirates, the assault was launched.
It was found that the scales for the assault were very long, but despite this and the stubborn resistance by the pirates, who defended themselves, besides with rifle-fire, with grenades, spears and stones, the Spaniards managed to scale the walls and enter the fort. Some 25 pirates were killed inside, while another 30 or 40 dove into the water and were drowned of killed by the fire from the Spanish feluccas and armed boats. 14 artillery pieces were taken. The Spanish losses amounted to 5 regular soldier and two auxiliaries killed and about 50 wounded, including two colonels, José María Pañarada and Cayetano Figuera.
of Caliber 12 over the isthmus. At dawn on the 19th the naval forces took their positions. They opened fire at 7:00 AM, at the same time that the land batteries. One hour later, the assault columns, which included a naval brigade, carrying 50 scales, began the assault shouting "Viva la Reina". They were received by the pirates with a heavy rifle-fire but succeeded in cutting with swords and axes some wooden obstacles and entered the fort. The pirates, in their desperation, killed their families or rushed themselves against the Spanish bayonet
s. Many civilians were killed during the battle, and about 150 were captured by the Spaniards, who sent them to his field hospital.
Near the main fort, at the other side of a thick coconut
grove, there was a minor fort that had inflicted some casualties during the previous engagement. Claverías entrusted its capture to Captain Gregorio Bárcenas and his carabineer
company of the 2nd Light Regiment. Only one Moro was wounded in the assault, compared to no Spanish casualties. The Spaniards took 93 artillery pieces into the two forts, most of them bronze cannons. Thirteen others were found in nearby houses. The Spanish losses had been considerable: 16 killed, 124 wounded and 22 bruised. Captain José María Ataide, of the 1st Light Regiment, was killed, and Clavería's two adjutants were wounded along with other officers. 340 corpses of dead pirates were bunched together and burned to avoid contagion.
The pirates, lacking of military experience, were caught by surprise and fled, leaving the fort and 3 artillery pieces in Spanish hands; another one having been captured on a nearby house. After this, two Spanish armed boats and some Zamboagan vintas entered the island through its channels and set fire to numerous pancos and other vessels used by the pirates, in number of 150. The infantry, meanwhile, cut between 7,000 and 8,000 coconuts, set fire to the seven villages of the island and dismantled and burned the forts. Although the minor vessels of the expedition were detached during the nights to avoid the escape of the remaining pirates, some of them managed to escape to Jolo
or the nearby islands. On the other hand, most of those who had seek refuge in the mangroves died of hunger and thirst.
.
Besides the capture of the pirate vessels and artillery, about 250 captives were freed. The Spanish casualties of the expedition had been between 229 and 237 men, of which 22 were killed, but the success greatly contributed to reduce the activities of the Moro pirates against the Spanish possessions in the area, and even in the Dutch, whose General-Governor congratulated Clavería on 25 July 1849. Thanks to the Spanish victory the trade was temporarily reactivated and the pirates of the Sulu Archipielago, having been informed of Clavería "ravaging the island of Balanguingui and putting its defenders to sword", were terrified It was rumored, at the beginning of 1849, that the island had been reoccupied by the pirates, but after an expedition was sent to recognize the area, no significant force was found.
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
organized by Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa
Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa
Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa , a native of Gerona, Spain , was the Governor-General of the Philippines from July 16, 1844 to December 26, 1849. Clavería was a man of culture, probity, and industry. He traveled through many provinces trying to learn the needs of the Filipinos...
, the governor-general of the Spanish Philippines, to capture the Balanguingui island, in the Sulu Archipelago
Sulu Archipelago
The Sulu Archipelago is a chain of islands in the southwestern Philippines. This archipelago is considered to be part of the Moroland by the local rebel independence movement. This island group forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea....
, from the Moro Pirates
Moro Pirates
The Moro Pirates, also known as the Sulu Pirates, were Muslim outlaws of the southern Philippines who engaged in frequent acts of piracy, primarily against the Spanish, beginning in the late 16th century...
, who were using it as a base for their piratical
Piracy
Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence at sea. The term can include acts committed on land, in the air, or in other major bodies of water or on a shore. It does not normally include crimes committed against persons traveling on the same vessel as the perpetrator...
activities. The expedition, composed of 19 warships of various sizes under José Ruiz de Apodaca, set sail from Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, being joined by additional forces at Daitan and Zamboanga
Zamboanga Peninsula (geographical region)
Zamboanga Peninsula is long, semicircular peninsula located in northwestern Mindanao, the Philippines, extending southwesterly toward the Sulu Archipelago and Borneo. It has an area of roughly 5,600 square miles . The peninsula was connected to the main part of Mindanao through an isthmus situated...
, and arrived to Balanguingui on 12 February. The island was defended by four strongholds. After a landing near one of these forts, a naval bombardment and an assault succeeded in capturing the building. The second and biggest fort, as well as a minor nearby fortification, were taken by the Spaniards three days later in a bloody assault. On 21 February the remaining fort was easily captured. The campaign ended shortly after. It was a major blow to the piracy, as the Spaniards succeeded in capturing four forts and several villages, which they burned, along with more than 150 proa
Proa
A proa, also seen as prau, perahu, and prahu, is a type of multihull sailing vessel.While the word perahu and proa are generic terms meaning boat their native language, proa in Western languages has come to describe a vessel consisting of two unequal length parallel hulls...
s in the hands of the pirates. About 550 captives were also freed during the operation.
Background
By mid-nineteenth century, the south of MindanaoMindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
and, in general, the south of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, were a usual haven of Muslim pirates, who devastated the coasts of the archipelago in search of booty and prisoners that they later sold on the market of Jolo
Jolo
Jolo may refer to:* Jolo Island* Jolo, Sulu* Jolo, West Virginia* Jolo is also the nickname of Swedish author Jan Olof Olsson....
. The Spanish government proposed the elimination of piracy, for which several expeditions were carried out against the pirate havens since 1843. One of the major expeditions was led by Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa, the governor-general of the Spanish colony, in the early 1848. He organized at Manila a fleet of 19 warships under Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
José Ruiz de Apodaca including 2 steamers
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
, 2 schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
s and 3 brig
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
s, plus several small vessels, as gunboat
Gunboat
A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...
s and felucca
Felucca
A felucca is a traditional wooden sailing boat used in protected waters of the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean including Malta, and particularly along the Nile in Egypt, Sudan, and also in Iraq. Its rig consists of one or two lateen sails....
s. Aboard this ships were embarked on 27 January 3 infantry regular companies under Lieutenant Colonel Arrieta. Two other companies, a beefeater battalion, a public safety sting, an artillery detachement, and some engineers and workers were later embarked. The flagship of the fleet was the steamer Reina de Castilla. The fleet was joined by several transports at Daitan, and, on 17 February, set sail to Balanguingui, a major pirate base, being reinforded in its way by several Filipino local vessels called vintas and 150 auxiliaries of Zamboanga.
Balanguingui was small island with an area of 6 square miles, covered of mangroves and jungle. The ground was so flat and swampy that when the tide rose, just a few sandbanks ramained dried. Four forts stood over this sandbanks, surrounded by some houses built on stilts. A shallow channel divided the island in two portions, also spreading into several branches which penetrated inside the ground, making of Balanguingui a true maze. The forts were known by the names of Sipac, Balanguingui, Sungap and Bocutingol. The first two were the biggest, and were located at the tip of the largest estuary. Their walls were built with trunks ranging from 2 to 3 feets in diameter and from 18 to 20 in height, and were reinforced by fences and stone embankments.
Capture of Fort Balanguingui
At dawn on February 16, taking advantage of the low tide, which had left the fort linked to the mainland, the regular infantry companies of Asia, la Reina, Segundo Ligero and Fernando VII, plus the 150 veteran ZamboanganZamboanga Peninsula (geographical region)
Zamboanga Peninsula is long, semicircular peninsula located in northwestern Mindanao, the Philippines, extending southwesterly toward the Sulu Archipelago and Borneo. It has an area of roughly 5,600 square miles . The peninsula was connected to the main part of Mindanao through an isthmus situated...
auxiliaries, were landed. The three first were entrusted the capture of the fort, while the second one and the auxiliaries, under Andrés Arriete, were a reserve force. Two steamers and two schooners, with support of several minor vessels, began to shell the fort. Once struck the resistance of the pirates, the assault was launched.
It was found that the scales for the assault were very long, but despite this and the stubborn resistance by the pirates, who defended themselves, besides with rifle-fire, with grenades, spears and stones, the Spaniards managed to scale the walls and enter the fort. Some 25 pirates were killed inside, while another 30 or 40 dove into the water and were drowned of killed by the fire from the Spanish feluccas and armed boats. 14 artillery pieces were taken. The Spanish losses amounted to 5 regular soldier and two auxiliaries killed and about 50 wounded, including two colonels, José María Pañarada and Cayetano Figuera.
Capture of Fort Sipac
The Spaniards tried then to advance inside the island through the channel, but there wasn't enough water and Clavería decided to assault the Fort called Sipac. He recognized the fort and found that the naval forces could not approach to circumvallate it, so gave orders for install 2 mountain howitzersMountain gun
Mountain guns are artillery pieces designed for use in mountain warfare and areas where usual wheeled transport is not possible. They are similar to infantry support guns, and are generally capable of being broken down into smaller loads .Due to their ability to be broken down into smaller...
of Caliber 12 over the isthmus. At dawn on the 19th the naval forces took their positions. They opened fire at 7:00 AM, at the same time that the land batteries. One hour later, the assault columns, which included a naval brigade, carrying 50 scales, began the assault shouting "Viva la Reina". They were received by the pirates with a heavy rifle-fire but succeeded in cutting with swords and axes some wooden obstacles and entered the fort. The pirates, in their desperation, killed their families or rushed themselves against the Spanish bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
s. Many civilians were killed during the battle, and about 150 were captured by the Spaniards, who sent them to his field hospital.
Near the main fort, at the other side of a thick coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
grove, there was a minor fort that had inflicted some casualties during the previous engagement. Claverías entrusted its capture to Captain Gregorio Bárcenas and his carabineer
Carabinier
A Carabinier was originally a cavalry soldier armed with a carbine...
company of the 2nd Light Regiment. Only one Moro was wounded in the assault, compared to no Spanish casualties. The Spaniards took 93 artillery pieces into the two forts, most of them bronze cannons. Thirteen others were found in nearby houses. The Spanish losses had been considerable: 16 killed, 124 wounded and 22 bruised. Captain José María Ataide, of the 1st Light Regiment, was killed, and Clavería's two adjutants were wounded along with other officers. 340 corpses of dead pirates were bunched together and burned to avoid contagion.
End of the campaign
There was a last fort in hands of the pirates at the island. The Spaniards were informed by some fugitives that the pirates were improving its defenses. They also signaled to Clavería and his men a point from which they could approach to the fort without being seen. Clavería detached on 21 February a company of the 1st Light Regiment under Colonel Peñarada and some Zamboagan auxilliares aboard his naval forces to be landed at the signaled point with the aim of recognize the area or, if possible, to capture the fort. Peñarada and his men, once disembarked, advanced with waist-deep water and managed to surprise the fort.The pirates, lacking of military experience, were caught by surprise and fled, leaving the fort and 3 artillery pieces in Spanish hands; another one having been captured on a nearby house. After this, two Spanish armed boats and some Zamboagan vintas entered the island through its channels and set fire to numerous pancos and other vessels used by the pirates, in number of 150. The infantry, meanwhile, cut between 7,000 and 8,000 coconuts, set fire to the seven villages of the island and dismantled and burned the forts. Although the minor vessels of the expedition were detached during the nights to avoid the escape of the remaining pirates, some of them managed to escape to Jolo
Jolo
Jolo may refer to:* Jolo Island* Jolo, Sulu* Jolo, West Virginia* Jolo is also the nickname of Swedish author Jan Olof Olsson....
or the nearby islands. On the other hand, most of those who had seek refuge in the mangroves died of hunger and thirst.
Aftermath
On 25 February the Spanish troops were reembarked along with the wounded, the prisoners and the freed captives, and the fleet set sail to Zamboanga. After a short stop at the islands of Tonquil and Pilas to inform its natives about the punishment inflicted to Balanguingui, the steamers arrived to Zamoanga on 28 February, being followed a day later by the remaining ships. The success of the expedition was simultaneously celebrated at Zamboanga and at Manila, where news of the Spanish victory had been received. Clavería was awarded with the Cross of San Fernando and was created Count of Manila and Viscount of Clavería by the Queen Isabella II of SpainIsabella II of Spain
Isabella II was the only female monarch of Spain in modern times. She came to the throne as an infant, but her succession was disputed by the Carlists, who refused to recognise a female sovereign, leading to the Carlist Wars. After a troubled reign, she was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of...
.
Besides the capture of the pirate vessels and artillery, about 250 captives were freed. The Spanish casualties of the expedition had been between 229 and 237 men, of which 22 were killed, but the success greatly contributed to reduce the activities of the Moro pirates against the Spanish possessions in the area, and even in the Dutch, whose General-Governor congratulated Clavería on 25 July 1849. Thanks to the Spanish victory the trade was temporarily reactivated and the pirates of the Sulu Archipielago, having been informed of Clavería "ravaging the island of Balanguingui and putting its defenders to sword", were terrified It was rumored, at the beginning of 1849, that the island had been reoccupied by the pirates, but after an expedition was sent to recognize the area, no significant force was found.