Between 1815 and 1826 Minorca entered a new and little-known period in her chequered history: a lasting link with America was forged, of which many Americans may be unaware. For eleven years Port Mahon was used as an American base. The American Navy was stationed in the Mediterranean to protect her merchant shipping from the Barbary pirates who still infested the seas. At this late period, American crews and passengers were being seized as hostages, and even sold as slaves. The cooperation and good behaviour of the Deys of Tunis, Tripoli and Argel had been secured by payments of money, but Tripoli wanted more, and with some temerity had declared war on America in I801. 
Jefferson was for retaliatory naval action, but his hands were tied by Congress, and he settled for a naval blockade. It was not long before the Americans felt the need of a winter base. Two years later, successful aggressive action by Commodore Preble so raised American prestige among her enemies that Congress consented to further naval action against Tripoli, and America found herself fighting her first war in Europe.
Peace was made in 1805, but war broke out again in 1815, and it was in this year that Commodore John Shaw first entered Port Mahon with his Mediterranean fleet, and anchored in Cala Figuera (the former 'English Cove'). The Minorcan authorities were co-operative, and we learn from a contemporary diary that 'the Governor granted to the Americans the lease of the new Lazaretto for use as a hospital for their sick'. From that year till 1826 many American midshipmen received their naval training at Port Mahon.
It was no new experience for Minorcans to meet strangers, they had been doing so for nearly four thousand years - and they quickly settled down with their new guests. The additional trade and influx of money was welcome, for Minorcans were still undergoing hard times. So great was poverty and distress on the island that starving Minorcans used to congregate on Cala Figuera in the port, hoping to beg some food from the American ships. The Americans were sympathetic, and undertook to feed many of them, by increasing their own ration allowance. By 1823 conditions had apparently improved, and the association between islanders and navy became more festive. The navy staged entertainments including balls, on shore, to which they invited the Mahonese. And on 22 February the birthday of George Washington was celebrated with much waving of flags and firing of salutes. Next day a great ball was held, and important people were entertained on board ship to lunch and dinner. America was showing that she too could organise a 'Fiesta' .

Admiral Farragut
There was a second notable American link. The days of sail passed, and on 27 December 1867 the city council of Ciudadela made elaborate preparations to welcome two American battleships, on one of which was the elderly Admiral Farragut - the first admiral of the American Navy.
The reason for the visit and the welcome was that the admiral was a Minorcan, a son of Jorge Farragut Mesquida who had emigrated to America towards the end of the eighteenth century. Admiral David Glasgow Farragut was born on 5 July 1801, near Knoxville, Tennessee. His father had emigrated from Ciudadela. His mother was Elizabeth Shine from North Carolina. On the early death of his mother he was adopted by David Porter, a friend of his father (who was often away at sea), with whose help he joined the American Navy at a very early age. We are told that before he was twelve, he had engaged in a skirmish with the British, but was refused promotion because of his age. Between 1815 and 1820 he served in the Mediterranean Squadron as a youth, but it is not known whether he visited his father's homeland. About this time he showed an aptitude for languages, the study of which he followed up at Yale University in 1826, and later at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
Fame came to him when he was over sixty years of age, with the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. He decided to support the Union, and became the hero of the campaign. By his bold action his squadron destroyed the defences at the mouth of the Mississippi, and he captured New Orleans. In this operation he destroyed eleven Confederate ships, and reduced Port Jackson and San Felipe. His successes were largely instrumental in the final victory for the Union forces. After these engagements, he was put in command of all the naval forces, and congratulated by President Lincoln in 1862, being promoted to the rank of rear-admiral. In 1866 he was created by special ordinance, the first admiral of the American Navy.
The memory of the admiral is still cherished by Minorcans and Americans, and forms a lasting link between these two peoples. Indeed, each year they honour his memory together.

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