In 1914, units of the United States Navy “watchfully waiting” on the west coast, were witness to a naval action that had an important bearing on the struggle then being waged between the Mexican Federals and the Revolutionists.
The Federal land forces controlled the principal ports but were hard pressed by the rebels, commanded by Obregon. The sea was the only sure means of communication between the beleaguered federal ports.
The Guerrero, the principal Federal man- of-war, mounted six four-inch guns and two three-pounders, and could make twelve knots. Her prospective adversary, the Tampico, with two four-inch and six six-pounder guns, had just laid on the mud in Topolobampo Bay for thirty-four days with well deck awash as a result of a previous encounter with this same Guerrero. She was raised three days before the battle and was about to leave for Altata for repairs by the railroad shops.
As her one usable boiler went out of commission soon after getting under way, she was left adrift about twenty miles south of San Ignacio Farallon. At the same time the Guerrero was en route south from Guaymas, shadowed by an American cruiser.
At 7:15 a.m. the two gunboats sighted each other and prepared for action. The Guerrero had a fresh coat of paint and shining brightwork, her adversary was dirty and rusty, with holes in her sides plugged with canvas “jackasses.” Weather was cloudy, light breeze, sea smooth.
The Tampico opened fire at 7:48 a.m. with her after four-inch. The range was about 5,500 yards and the shot fell way short. A moment later the Guerrero opened with two ranging shots and then a salvo, all over, and to the right. General firing ensued, wild and inconsistent on both sides, with little apparent control. Few shots fell closer
than 300 yards, even at short ranges. Both ships used shrapnel, set for contact filing.
The Guerrero, seeing that the Tampico was at anchor, got on one quarter and headed for the semi-helpless rebel. The Tampico could rake the enemy with only one four- inch gun in reply. A heavy fire at 1,500 yards got one visible hit in the Tampico, amidships. As the Guerrero turned for the other broadside the Tampico got a hit under the former’s bow gun, killing one man and wounding two.
Approaching within 1,000 yards the Guerrero brought down the rebel ensign. Someone picked it up and waved it defiantly but it was not hoisted again. At 123 two more shots hit the Tampico, one amidships causing great damage, the other aft starting a fire. An explosion followed and the after part of the ship blazed up. The Tampico’s only bearing gun was put out of commission. She then launched two boats and a part of the crew headed for the shore.
The Guerrero fired a few parting shots and went after the two boats. Captain Commandante Malpico of the Tampico in one boat, probably remembering the usual fate of captured rebel officers—death by firing squad—cried, “Viva Las Constitutionalistas,” and shot himself through the head before the Guerrero could approach.
United States ships approached to rescue survivors. The Guerrero returned with the prisoners from the boats and tried to recover flags and guns from the Tampico, but was driven off by magazine explosions.
At 11:35 the Tampico listed heavily and sank by the stern.
In this action, which was fought with real fortitude by both sides, the Guerrero lost two men killed, and ten wounded. The Tampico lost six killed and ten wounded. This battle broke the naval strength of the rebels on the west coast and deferred the final downfall of the federals.