Battle of Andros (1790)

This article is about the battle in the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792. For the battle in the Third Syrian War, see Battle of Andros (246 BC). For the battle in the Great Turkish War, see Battle of Andros (1696). For the battle in the Greek War of Independence, see Battle of Andros (1825).

Battle of Andros
Part of the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792

Painting of Katsonis
Date17–18 May 1790
Location
Strait between Andros and Cape Kafireas
Result Ottoman-Algerian Victory
Belligerents
 Russian Empire
Greek Pirates		  Ottoman Empire
Regency of Algiers
Commanders and leaders
Lt. Colonel Lambros Katsonis Sai'd Ali
Strength
7 or 9 vessels 19 Ottoman ships
11–13 Algerian xebecs
Casualties and losses
five ships destroyed, one captured; 565 dead and 53 wounded; several dozen captured and executed over 3,000 killed; unknown number of ships damaged and sunk as a result

The Battle of Andros or Battle of Kafireas was fought on 17–18 May 1790, during the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792, between Cape Kafireas and the island of Andros, between the ships of Lambros Katsonis, a Greek privateer in Imperial Russian service, and an Algerian fleet of 30–32 vessels. The battle was a major victory for the Ottomans, as Katsonis lost five ships and his flotilla ceased to exist as an operational unit. On the other hand, the Ottomans suffered heavy casualties as well, and Katsonis was able to escape and reconstitute his forces, remaining active until the end of the war.