Zia Wesley's Blog: The Veil and the Crown - Posts Tagged "dey-of-algiers"

The men were sipping tea and eating dates when Baba Mohammed Ben Osman, the Dey of Al Djazāir, captain of all pirates and ruler of the port, entered the room. He was a huge, opulently dressed, imposing figure whose jet-black beard and mustache were waxed into sharply curling points. His almond-shaped black eyes, generously lined with kohl, looked deep and menacing. The men knew that his vaulted position was built on thirty years of ruthless piracy and bloodshed. Despite the mighty price on his head, Ben Osman’s ships continued to plunder what they pleased with the blessings of the Dey’s distant cousin, the Sultan of Turkey.

From The Stolen Girl – Book 1 of The Veil and The Crown by Zia Wesley

The Dey of Algiers was the title given to the ruler (or Regent) of the Port of Algiers starting in the late 17th century. The Dey was chosen to rule for life by a council of local civilian, military and religious leaders with the approval (or insistence) of the Ottoman Sultan.

With the death of Dey Baba Ali on February 2, 1766, Mohammed ben Osman, the former treasurer to Baba Ali, took over as Dey of Algiers.

Dey Mohammed ben Osman suffered many obstacles during his 25 year rule of Algiers, but through diplomacy and military prowess, he was able to keep the region relatively stable. In 1775, a Spanish expedition attempted to sieze the town of Mustapha and failed with the loss of 4000 Spanish Soldiers. They attempted again in 1783 and 1784, and failed both times.

Ben Osman’s fleet of ships not only protected the Barbary Coast (as it was dubbed by Europeans) from attack, but plundered any ships that came within their realm. As unofficial members of the Ottoman navy, the men were known as “Corsairs” which ultimately became synonymous with “pirates”.

Prior to the American Revolution, the British Navy protected United States merchant vessels operating along the Barbary Coast of Africa. Following the revolution, France continued to protect US ships according to a 1778 alliance. However, in July 1785, Algerians captured two American ships and the Dey of Algiers held their crews of twenty-one people for a ransom of nearly $60,000. Thomas Jefferson, then United States minister to France, opposed the payment of tribute, which was ultimately paid. You can read details of Jefferson’s proposals here.

In July, 1791 Mohammed ben Osman died and was succeeded by his son, Baba Hassen.