Battle of Fayal

The Battle of Fayal was a military engagement fought between American and British forces on September 26–27, 1814 during the War of 1812. It occurred near the Portuguese village (now city) of Horta on Faial Island, in the Azores. A Royal Navy squadron on its way to Jamaica and Louisiana attacked the American privateer General Armstrong while she was at anchor in Horta. After repulsing two attacks from armed boats sent by the squadron, the Americans scuttled General Armstrong the following morning to prevent its capture. British forces subsequently attempted to land on Faial Island to continue fighting the Americans, but the island's governor and the American consul-resident prevented them; the Royal Navy squadron ultimately sailed away and pressed on to Louisiana.