by Rose Barton
The year was 1818. Argentina had begun it’s struggle for independence from Imperialist Spain. Their cause drew sympathy from many American and French citizens, who had recently gone through their own revolutions. In fact, a Frenchman, Hippolyte de Bouchard, was an admiral in the Argentine navy.
Now, you may well be wondering what all this has to do with a pirate invasion in California? At this time of history, California was still a part of the Spanish Empire. Reports of the wealth and prosperity of the California had reached even to Bouchard. He decided these rich missions and ranchos were a worthwhile target to help finance Argentina’s revolution.
Bouchard sailed out of Buenos Aires, and headed his small fleet of two ships to the Sandwich Islands, with the goal of stirring up trouble in California. The flagship was the Argentina (also mentioned as the Frigata Negra), carrying 38 heavy guns and two light howitzers, captained by Bouchard. The Santa Rosa (also referred to as the Frigata Chica), an American ship, was carrying 26 guns. Lt. Peter Corney, an American, was her captain. This expedition of privateers was perhaps financed in part by Americans sympathetic with the colonial rebellions against Spain.
While anchored at the Sandwich Islands (as they used to call the Hawaiian Islands) Bouchard’s ships were being outfitted for the raid on the Californian coast. They signed on several Kanakas (native Sandwich Islanders) as additional crew. When the ships left the Sandwich Islands, their crew numbered approximately 300, and consisted of many nationalities.
Another ship, the Clarion, an American, left for California while Bouchard was still making his preparations. Sailing into Santa Barbara, the Clarion brought the warning that two insurgent ships were preparing to attack. Commandant José De la Guerra of the Santa Barbara presidio relayed this warning to Monterey. Governor Pablo Solà ordered the missions to remove and hide away all valuables. Women and children were to flee inland, and take with them all livestock, except horses needed for the defense. Spikes were prepared in case Spanish guns had to be spiked and abandoned. Defense troops at the presidios were reinforced with all available able-bodied men. Neophyte Indian archers from the inland missions arrived at the coastal presidios. Messengers were stationed, ready to carry urgent news. And then everyone waited. And nothing happened. After a few days, their guard relaxed. They began to think perhaps the pirates went home to Argentina. Reinforcements left the presidios and went home.
Then on the afternoon of Nov. 20, 1818, two ships were spotted off the coast of Monterey, flying the flag of Argentina. Accounts are contradictory, but it seems that after an initial exchange of gunfire, Bouchard formally demanded the surrender of California. Gov. Solà did not comply, so Bouchard ordered ashore a large force of men, led by the Kanakas armed with pikes. Sola, with a force of 80, briefly resisted, then retreated to Salinas to await reinforcements from San Jose and San Francisco.
Bouchard held the city of Monterey for about one week. During this time, the city was stripped of munitions, clothing and anything else of value, and most of the buildings were burned. Lt. Peter Corney made this entry in his log:
"It was well stocked with provisions and goods of every description, which we commenced sending on board the Argentina. The Sandwich Islanders, who were quite naked when they landed, were soon dressed in the Spanish fashion; and all the sailors were employed in searching houses for money and breaking and ruining everything."
When Solà’s reinforcements arrived, he returned to Monterey with a force of 200 men, not including a large additional force of Indians. They found the town in ruins, some of the buildings still smoldering, all but two of the onshore guns had been knocked out, and the "pirates" were gone.
About 25 miles west of Santa Barbara is Refugio Bay. In 1818, it was famous for it’s use by smugglers, and for the rich Ortega Rancho located there. Ample water was available there. When word initially reached Santa Barbara about the possible invasion, Commandante De la Guerra sent a rider to warn the Ortega families. Then a few days later, the Ortegas received word from up north about the sack of Monterey. Panic broke out. The women and children were sent inland to the La Purisima and Santa Ines missions. All the valuables were loaded onto ox carts and pack mules and sent inland.
The same word about Monterey reached Santa Barbara, caused similar panic, and similar precautions were taken. Fifty men from the little pueblo of Los Angeles, and several Indian archers from the La Purisima mission were sent as reinforcements. Again, days went by and the guard was relaxed. The reinforcements went home.
Then two black ships were spotted by a lookout on Mount Tranquillon near Point Conception. The news was sent to Lompoc, Refugio, and Santa Barbara. Sergeant Anthony Carillo and thirty horsemen were dispatched to Refugio Bay that night, where they lay in wait in the bush.
In the morning, they found two ships flying the Argentine flag anchored off Refugio Bay. Heavy cannons were poking through the rows of gun ports. Several armed "pirates" were sent ashore in small boats. The rancho was deserted. Bouchard and his men were frustrated at finding nothing of value.
Three of his men strayed away from the others, attracted by grapes in a vineyard. They were easy prey for Carillo and his men. They burst out of the bushes, whirling their reatas and lassoed the three men as if they were cattle. The Californians spurred their horses, and dragged their captives at rope’s end away and over the top of the hill. When a rescue party came after them, Carillo’s men were ready, firing fiercely from out of the brush. Bouchard ordered his men back.
Then, in their anger, Bouchard’s men wrecked and burned everything in sight. The gardens and young orchards were laid to waste, the livestock was slaughtered and the buildings were burned. A herd of fine palominos were found with all their throats cut. Bouchard thought the destruction would force the Californians to release his men. He did not realize that they were well on their way to Santa Barbara. Finally, Bouchard ordered his men back to the ships. He decided to sail to one of the Channel Islands to take on wood and water.
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