The Faem was a Dutch merchant vessel that was involved in Mediterranean trade, the so-called Straatvaart (after the Strait of Gibraltar).

Attacked by Algerian privateers

The Faem was underway from Amsterdam to Smirna (present-day Izmir in Turkey) when the ship was attacked by Algerian privateers. These ships were feared because European crews were often taken prisoner by them to be sold as slaves. They were also called 'Barbary pirates' by the Europeans, after an old name for Northern Africa.

Royal Museums Greenwich

On November 8th, at the height of Cabo de São Vicente, on its way to Cadíz, it was attacked by two heavily armed Algerian privateers. Yet the Faem itself was also well armed so they were able to defend themselves. The first attack was fought off and the Faem tried to escape, but the privateers went in pursuit. For two days, the privateers tried to board the Faem, but they kept being repelled by gunfire. The privateers were so heavily damaged that they had to stop their endeavors.

The Faem had lost the top of its foremast, and when they were lying still to repair this, they were attacked again by a third privateer. This was a new ship with 50 cannon and was under the command of a Portuguese 'renegade', a European who had converted to Islam. Even though the crew of the Faem was tired and they had several wounded, they managed to beat off the privateer again. The next day, the privateer tried again and the Faem defended itself heroically once again. But after two gun volleys, disaster struck. A cannon that was fired in the constable's room exploded and took the gun power storage with it, causing the ship to explode and be lost with all hands.

Type: unclear but judging by the period, trade route and armament, it is likely that it was a flute

Armament: 24 cannon (another source mentions 28-30)

Crew: over 60

Het Scheepvaartmuseum

• pp 169.5.
  Nationaal Archief, Den Haag.
  Levantse Handel.
  1.03.01, nr 172.
• Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
  Europische Mercurius.
  februari 1725.