First Battle of Topolobampo The First Battle of Topolobampo was a bloodless engagement and one of the few naval battles of the Mexican Revolution . The small action occurred off Topolobampo , Mexico and involved three gunboat s , two from the Mexican Navy and another which mutinied from the armada and joined the rebel Constitutionalists . It was fought on the morning of March 4 , 1914 and was the first battle of the naval campaign in the Gulf of California . On Sunday 22 February 1914 , off Guaymas , Mexico a mutiny began at about 8 : 00 pm when the Mexican Navy gunboat " Tampico " was refitting for a cruise . Half of the officers and crew were still enjoying shore leave when Executive Officer Lieutenant Hilario Salsa and three other officers began to rally the remaining crew aboard " Tampico " . The mob of sailors then headed for their captain , whom they arrested with violence . Malpica , who had assumed command of the mutineers , informed Captain Manuel Azueta that he intended to sail " Tampico " to join the Constitutionalists . ( There are various stories about why Lieutenant Malpica resorted to mutiny , however none are known to be true ) . The " Tampico " started and intended to head westward . Background . Just then the Huerista gunboat " Guerrero " , under Captain Navio Torres , was spotted in front of " Tampico " . Malpica steamed " Tampico " straight for " Guerrero " , hoping to ram and sink her . Unfortunately for " Tampico " , her steering gear malfunctioned and she was forced to turn around and head for Topolobampo in Sinaloa . The mutineers transferred " Tampico " s former captain to a merchant vessel , the SS " Herrerias " , which took him to Mazatlán , which was still in federal hands at the time . " Tampico " made it to Topolobampo , which became her home port throughout the subsequent naval campaign . Because " Tampico " was short half of her crew , twenty - five Sinaloan insurgents were ordered to her to become sailors . Battle . After being humiliated by allowing " Tampico " to escape and join the rebellion , Captain Navio Torres with " Guerrero " and another gunboat , the " Morelos " , headed for Topolobampo where they suspected to find the " Tampico " . " Guerrero " arrived on March 2 , where she anchored outside the bar and waited for " Morelos " which would arrive the following day . " Tampico " was not in sight however ; apparently she was conducting a mission against federal Mexican forces elsewhere . So the two gunboats waited in Topolobampo Bay until the next morning ; on March 4 , they sighted " Tampico " as she entered the channel . " Guerrero " was immediately ordered underway ; " Morelos " followed along " Guerrero " astern . Just seconds after lifting anchor , " Guerrero " opened fire from around 9 , 000 yards with her main gun battery . A running battle ensued ; " Tampico " did not stop to fire until after passing Shell Point ; once on the other side , she opened fire with her two 4 inch guns and one 6 - pounder at " Guerrero " . " Tampico " had one other 6 - pounder on board but only the one would be used in the battle . Upon receiving fire , Captain Torres , ordered his ship to maneuver into position for a broadside attack with his six 4 inch guns ; " Guerrero " fired but none of her shots hit their target . At this time " Morelos " was about 800 yards off " Guerrero " s portside when she opened fire . A gunnery duel continued for sometime ; ultimately no hits were made by either side who were firing at each other from a range of 8 , 000 to 9 , 000 yards away . " Guerrero " had a better armament than " Tampico " ; " Guerrero " s guns were in much better condition which gave her a farther range than that of " Tampico " . This would become a major factor in the coming battles which gave the federals a distinct advantage over the Constitutionalist gunboat . Eventually " Tampico " made for the protection of Topolobampo ' s port ; she entered past the bar and the fighting ended . The gunboat " Guerrero " again anchored outside the bar , to initiate a naval blockade while " Morelos " left for Guaymas for coal and provisions ; she would return a few days later . Aftermath . Throughout the engagement , none of the rounds fired hit their targets . " Tampico " , according to report , fired far more accurately than the other two gunboats . Of her rounds , one was spotted fifty yards short of " Guerrero " , another fifty yards over , and one more , just off " Guerrero " s portside . " Guerrero " fired about twenty rounds that morning , " Morelos " about seven and " Tampico " fired fourteen . On 13 March , " Tampico " would test the federal blockade during another bloodless sea battle known as the Second Battle of Topolobampo .