First Battle of Topolobampo

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First Battle of Topolobampo
Part of the Mexican Revolution
Tampico of the Mexican Navy.jpg
Tampico in 1908.
Date March 4, 1914
Location
off Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico
Result Huerista victory, Constitutionalist gunboat forced to flee into
Topolobambpo's harbor.

Belligerents
Mexico Constitutionalists Mexico Huertistas
Commanders and leaders
Hilario Malpica Navio Torres
Strength
1 gunboat 2 gunboats
Casualties and losses
none none

Both federal and rebel forces flew the same Mexican National Ensign during the
naval campaign off Topolobampo.
vte
Naval operations of the Mexican Revolution
vte
Mexican Revolution
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.

Contents
1 Background
1.1 Guaymas Mutiny
2 Battle
3 Aftermath
4 See also
5 References
Background
Guaymas Mutiny
On 22 February 1914,[1] 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
Rodr�guez 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 Mazatl�n, 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 9,000 yards
(8,200 m) 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 4-inch (102 mm) guns and one 6-pounder (3 kg) 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 800 yards (730 m) 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 8,000
to 9,000 yards (7,300 to 8,200 m) 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 50 yards (46 m) 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
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
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient
corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing
more precise citations. (January 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template
message)
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

Categories: History of Mexico1914 in MexicoConflicts in 1914MutiniesNaval

mutiniesNaval battles of the Mexican RevolutionHistory of the Gulf of
CaliforniaBattles and conflicts without fatalitiesMarch 1914 events
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