Raïs Hadj Embarek

Hadj Embarek or Raïs Hadj Embarek, was one of the admirals of the Algerian navy in the mid-18th century. He belonged to the Taifa of the Raïs, and was renowned for his extensive reliance on fleets of xebecs, which constituted his dominance in the Mediterranean the Atlantic Ocean. His policy was marked by intense conflict with Spain and Portugal in particular.

Background Hadj Embarek was of Algerian origin from the capital Algiers and lived during the 18th century. Albert Devoulex dedicated an article to recounting his life, based on the testimony of a 19th-century Algerian sailor known as Raïs Hassan. According to this account. He served in the Algerian Navy between 1741 and 1765, establishing himself as one of the most famous and formidable sailors in the Mediterranean.

Fleet Composition

An Algerian Xebec with 24 cannons in 1750, (dating back to the era of Raïs Hadj Embarek). Hadj Embarek commanded a diverse naval fleet that reflected the versatility of the Algerian Navy in the 18th century. His units included heavy Round Ships equipped with approximately fifty cannons. French consular records reveal a remarkable evolution in his command; in August 1741, he took command of a Xebec vessel, armed with 8 cannons and 54 swivel guns. A 17th-century drawing by Henri Sbonski de Passabon depicting a galley under sail. Unlike the xebec, the galley relied primarily on oars. Hadj Embarek's expertise was not limited to outfitting and equipment but was clearly demonstrated in field confrontations. Documents from the French consul, Charles Philippe Vallière between 1742 and 1765, mention a meeting with a Spanish officer who had been captured by him during the Spanish-Algerian wars. At that time, Hadj Embarek's fleet become included Galleys with his famous Xebec ship, "The White Horse" (Al-Hissan al-Abyad).

His military career of saw a steady rise and diversification in his fleet. In February 1753, he commanded two Xebecs whose hulls were laid on 30 March. Historical records between 1753 and 1763 show him commanding a series of advanced warships, transitioning from one vessel to another that was more capable and heavily armed than the last.

On 27 November 1757, he set sail again aboard a Xebec armed with 20 cannons. Algerian documents record that this vessel, under the joint command of Hadj Embarek and Raïs Mohamed El-Maghrebi, captured 24 "infidels" from Hamburg, three of whom were taken as the state's share. Finally, records dated 25 September 1762, and 7 July 1763, indicate that he served as the commander of a state-owned Algerian Xebec equipped with 26 cannons.