Capture of Monterey

7 July 1846, Monterey, Alta California

American victory; Monterey taken without a fight

Commodore John Sloat, who had been waiting off Mazatlán for news of war, sailed north to California, worried that Britain might get there first. At Monterey, the capital of Alta California, he landed about 250 sailors and marines, who raised the American flag over the customs house without a shot being fired, and declared California part of the United States.

United States Navy

3 ships, none lost

Ship	Type	Outcome
USS Savannah Sloat's flagship	Frigate	Survived
USS Cyane	Sloop	Survived
USS Levant	Sloop	Survived

Mexican garrison

No ships engaged

Forts, batteries and aircraft	Strength	Outcome
Monterey presidio and customs house Its commander, Mariano Silva, said he had no troops or guns to defend the town.	Not recorded	Surrendered without a fight

Forts, batteries and aircraft

Strength

Outcome

Monterey presidio and customs house

Its commander, Mariano Silva, said he had no troops or guns to defend the town.

Not recorded

Surrendered without a fight

Map

Sloat sails for California June – July 1846