The attack of Edward Vernon against Cartagena in 1741
One of the most memorable military histories of Cartagena de
Indias was the one in 1741. March 13th of that year, the admiral
Edward Vernon arrived with an imposing boat fleet that surpassed
the whole Spanish army of 123 boats, whether a fleet of 186
boats. Vernon started to shoot at the Castle of San Luis de
Bocachica defended by the colonel Des Naux. After 16 days of
attack, the castle fell in the hands of the admiral and
therefore advance to Cartagena.
Blas de Lezo, which was the commander of the vice-king Sebastian
de Eslava, ordered to burn and sink the boats close from
Tierrabomba. However, Vernon succeeded in saving one of his boat
and prevent to have too much garbage that could block the
entrance in the bay of Cartagena de Indias.
Vernon then assaulted the Fort of Santa Cruz de Castillogrande,
which was evacuated in disagreement with Blas de Lezo, which had
no other choice than to burn the last boats to prevent Vernon to
enter the Bay de Las Animas. But again, Vernon succeeded in
saving the last boat from burning down to continue his route.
When the English arrive at the
San Felipe Castle,
they discovered a strong resistance and were surprised of the
effectives in place, by consequence, the aggression was really
short and many solders fell in the fire of the Spanish from the
top of the castle and Vernon ordered the retirement of the
troops which counted numerous victims.
The boats have however continued the bombing from the sea, but
the tropical diseases, the loses and the wounded started to
weaken the English forces and obliged them to quit the region,
but not before destroying the fortresses that weren’t protected,
to burn the Spanish boats that didn’t have weapons in their
possession and fire canon hits into the city.
In England, the friends of Vernon made medals with the face of
Blas de Lezo who is kneeing in front of Vernon with a legend
written: “the proud Spanish humiliated by the Admiral Vernon.”
These medals have been the objects of mockery for a long time.
The vice-king Sebastian de Eslava discerned the title of
“Marquis of the real defence of Cartagena de Indias”. However,
Blas de Lezo died forgotten a couple months after the retreat of
the English.
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