First Battle of Topolobampo

The First Battle of Topolobampo was a bloodless engagement and one of the few naval battles of the Mexican Revolution. The small action occurred off Topolobampo, Mexico and involved three gunboats, two from the Mexican Navy and another which mutinied from the armada and joined the rebel Constitutionalists. It was fought on the morning of March 4, 1914 and was the first battle of the naval campaign in the Gulf of California.

Background

Guaymas Mutiny

On 22 February 1914,J.H. Klein, “The Career Of The Mexican Gunboat Tampico”. Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol. 44, No. 3 March 1918. https://archive.org/stream/proceedingsofuni44261918unit/ proceedingsofuni44261918unit_djvu.txt off Guaymas, Mexico a mutiny began at about 8:00 pm when the Mexican Navy gunboat ''Tampico'' was refitting for a cruise. Half of the officers and crew were still enjoying shore leave when Executive Officer Lieutenant Hilario Rodríguez Malpica and three other officers began to rally the remaining crew aboard ''Tampico''. The mob of sailors then headed for their captain, whom they arrested with violence. Malpica, who had assumed command of the mutineers, informed Captain Manuel Azueta that he intended to sail ''Tampico'' to join the Constitutionalists. (There are various stories about why Lieutenant Malpica resorted to mutiny, however none are known to be true). ''Tampico'' started and intended to head westward.

Just then the Huerista gunboat ''Guerrero'', under Captain Navio Torres, was spotted in front of ''Tampico''. Malpica steamed ''Tampico'' straight for ''Guerrero'', hoping to ram and sink her. Unfortunately for ''Tampico'', her steering gear malfunctioned and she was forced to turn around and head for Topolobampo in Sinaloa.

The mutineers transferred ''Tampico''s former captain to a merchant vessel, SS ''Herrerias'', which took him to Mazatlán, which was still in federal hands at the time. ''Tampico'' made it to Topolobampo, which became her home port throughout the subsequent naval campaign. Because ''Tampico'' was short half of her crew, twenty-five Sinaloan insurgents were ordered to her to become sailors.

Battle

After being humiliated by allowing ''Tampico'' to escape and join the rebellion, Captain Navio Torres with ''Guerrero'' and another gunboat, ''Morelos'', headed for Topolobampo where they suspected to find the ''Tampico''. ''Guerrero'' arrived on 2 March, where she anchored outside the bar and waited for ''Morelos'' which would arrive the following day. ''Tampico'' was not in sight however; apparently she was conducting a mission against federal Mexican forces elsewhere. So the two gunboats waited in Topolobampo Bay until the next morning; on 4 March, they sighted ''Tampico'' as she entered the channel. ''Guerrero'' was immediately ordered underway; ''Morelos'' followed along ''Guerrero'' astern.

Just seconds after lifting anchor, ''Guerrero'' opened fire from around with her main gun battery. A running battle ensued; ''Tampico'' did not stop to fire until after passing Shell Point; once on the other side, she opened fire with her two guns and one gun at ''Guerrero''. ''Tampico'' had one other 6-pounder gun on board but only the one would be used in the battle. Upon receiving fire, Captain Torres, ordered his ship to maneuver into position for a broadside attack with his six 4-inch guns; ''Guerrero'' fired but none of her shots hit their target. At this time ''Morelos'' was about off ''Guerrero''s portside when she opened fire. A gunnery duel continued for sometime; ultimately no hits were made by either side who were firing at each other from a range of away.

''Guerrero'' had a better armament than ''Tampico''; ''Guerrero''s guns were in much better condition which gave her a farther range than that of ''Tampico''. This would become a major factor in the coming battles which gave the federals a distinct advantage over the Constitutionalist gunboat. Eventually ''Tampico'' made for the protection of Topolobampo's port; she entered past the bar and the fighting ended. The gunboat ''Guerrero'' again anchored outside the bar, to initiate a naval blockade while ''Morelos'' left for Guaymas for coal and provisions; she would return a few days later.

Aftermath

Throughout the engagement, none of the rounds fired hit their targets. ''Tampico'', according to report, fired far more accurately than the other two gunboats. Of her rounds, one was spotted short of ''Guerrero'', another 50 yards over, and one more, just off ''Guerrero''s portside. ''Guerrero'' fired about twenty rounds that morning, ''Morelos'' about seven and ''Tampico'' fired fourteen. On 13 March, ''Tampico'' would test the federal blockade during another bloodless sea battle known as the Second Battle of Topolobampo.

See also

*Pancho Villa Expedition
*Second Battle of Topolobampo
* Third Battle of Topolobampo
* Fourth Battle of Topolobampo

References

* Stefoff, Rebecca. Independence and Revolution in Mexico. (New York, Facts On File Inc, 1993).
* http://www.semar.gob.mx/informes/politicas_armada/parte_dos/capitulo_3.htm

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