Raid on Nassau (1720)

Last updated

Raid on Nassau (1720)
Part of War of the Quadruple Alliance
Island of New Providence one of the Bahama Islands in the West Indies.png
Map of the Island of New Providence with Nassau and Hog Island in the North East
Date24 February – 1 March 1720 [1]
Location 25°03′36″N77°20′42″W / 25.06°N 77.345°W / 25.06; -77.345
Result British victory [2] [3]
Belligerents
Bandera de Espana 1701-1748.svg Spain Union flag 1606 (Kings Colors).svg Britain
Commanders and leaders
Bandera de Espana 1701-1748.svg Francisco Cornejo
Bandera de Espana 1701-1748.svg José Cordero
Union flag 1606 (Kings Colors).svg Woodes Rogers
Strength
3 frigates
9 brigantines & sloops
1,300 [4] –2,000 [5] soldiers and sailors
2 frigates
500 militiamen [6]
Casualties and losses
1 sloop wrecked [1] Unknown

The Raid on Nassau was a Spanish military expedition that took place in February 1720 during the War of the Quadruple Alliance wherein Spanish forces assaulted the British settlement of Nassau in an attempt to seize the island of New Providence. Although the Spanish managed to raid outlying posts, the assault on Nassau itself was repelled and the invasion was a failure. [5] [6]

Contents

Background

In 1718, the British Empire sought to establish control of the Bahamas which was dominated by piracy. To this end, it appointed Captain Woodes Rogers as royal governor. He successfully suppressed pirates, reformed the civil administration and restored trade.

In February, 1719 Rogers had received news that the Spanish intended to invade and conquer the Bahamas. The Spanish fleet was delayed however, as it was diverted to Florida in order to recapture Pensacola from the French in August, 1719. [7] Rogers would further consolidate his position during this time with the reconstruction of Fort Nassau, which was completed in January 1720. [3]

By then, in the Caribbean there was armed aggression between British and Spanish ships due to the clandestine trade of the former; [8] [9] this increased with the outbreak of the War of the Quadruple Alliance. The governor of Cuba, Gregorio Guazo, seeing how Rogers continued to colonise the Bahamas, organised a military force to capture Nassau. [10]

Three Spanish frigates of the Armada de Barlovento were to form the backbone of the fleet under the command of Francisco Cornejo. This naval element was further bolstered by nine privateer vessels including brigantines and sloops. The land forces consisted of approximately 1,300–2,000 men with a range of military experience, as well as 1,400 regular soldiers. [4]

Raid

At the end of February, 1720, the Spaniards from Havana delivered their long delayed attack upon New Providence and sailed through the Florida Straits to reach the island. [11] Rogers had at his disposal Old Fort of Nassau with fifty guns and a ten gun eastern battery. In addition he had around a hundred soldiers and nearly 500 local militia men many of whom were ex pirates. [5] Rogers also had two ships – the Delicia of 32-guns and the frigate HMS Flamborough of 24-guns under Captain Johnathan Hildesley. [11]

The Spanish sailed to attack New Providence from the north – the two large warships Principle and Hercules sat out in the deeper water where they anchored themselves. [12] On February 24 Cornejo in the San Jose of 36-guns with the smaller warships including the San Cristoforo of 20-guns and eight sloops unfurled their Spanish colours off Nassau harbour. [7] [12] The Spanish appearance in Nassau caught the British by surprise, but Cornejo, however, did not directly attack the port due to the presence of Delicia and Flamborough. Rogers nevertheless had to browbeat Hildesley of the latter to stay and defend the island. [11] Cornejo waited for the next day to attack but high winds the following morning turned into a storm in the afternoon, which forced the Spanish to cut their cables, and Cornejo had to head for the open sea. [1]

The Spanish frigate and the sloops made another attempt, this time to avoid the heavy defences of Fort Nassau. [5] They cruised along Hog Island which sheltered the city's harbour, to the east and west in order to block the entrance. [12] On the night of 25 February the Spaniards attempted to land three columns on the backside of Hog island and cross the narrow eastern channel in small boats. [13] Quietly they rowed toward the shore but they were met with musket and cannon fire. [5] The Spanish in the boats realised that surprise was lost; in confusion and panic they fell back, disembarked and then rowed hard to get out of range. [14] According to the Flamborough's log book, just two black (possibly ex-slaves) sentries in a small redoubt repelled this Spanish force. [1] To the west the Spanish made an attempt to land where 500 militia, mostly ex-pirates, waited. After causing some considerable damage to outlying property [4] this attack was also repelled which eventually degenerated into a minor skirmish until the Spanish again withdrew. [12] [2]

Later that day another storm hit the Spaniards which eventually forced their withdrawal; the San Cristoforo was found by militia to be wrecked on the Bahama Banks. [1] By 1 March the Spanish had arrived back in Havana which thus ended the threat of invasion. [14]

Aftermath

After the Spaniards had been repelled, Rogers was unaware of their withdrawal and it was not until several weeks later that he received a letter from two Englishmen in Havana who had been informed that the Spanish fleet had been hit by a storm which forced their withdrawal. [1] Cornejo having returned to Havana had the consolation of having captured over a hundred slaves and considerable booty. [4]

Despite repelling the Spanish, throughout the rest of the year Rogers had been unable to pay the garrison. [6] With his health failing, he set sail for Charleston on 6 December 1720. The governor had expended his personal fortune on Nassau's defenses. Troubled by the lack of support and communication from London, Rogers set sail for Britain in March 1721. He arrived three months later to find that a new governor had been appointed. Personally liable for the obligations he had contracted at Nassau, he was imprisoned for debt. [15]

Pezuela's account of events

Jacabo Pezuela, a Spanish historian, tells a completely different tale of events. He does not mention the presence of British ships in the area and says that Cornejo attacked the fort with the fleet, while Cordero, with several companies, occupied Nassau, [upper-alpha 1] and that the men of the fort surrendered after three days. [10] Pezuela also states that Rogers had travelled to Bermuda when Cornejo appeared in Nassau. [10] Pezuela says that after the surrender of the fort, 200 men were evacuated with the condition of being transferred to Bermuda. He also says that while the Spanish assault was a success, since the settlers were repulsed into the countryside and the artillery of the fort, 100 slaves and other things were captured, that did not offset the raid expenses. [16]

Notes

  1. According to Pezuela, there were more than 400 settlers and soldiers in Nassau. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Bahamas</span> Aspect of history

The earliest arrival of people in the islands now known as The Bahamas was in the first millennium AD. The first inhabitants of the islands were the Lucayans, an Arawakan language-speaking Taino people, who arrived between about 500 and 800 AD from other islands of the Caribbean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Providence</span> Caribbean island of the Bahamas

New Providence is the most populous island in the Bahamas, containing more than 70% of the total population. It is the location of the national capital city of Nassau, whose boundaries are coincident with the island; it had a population of 246,329 at the 2010 Census; the latest estimate (2016) is 274,400.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calico Jack</span> English pirate

John Rackham, commonly known as Calico Jack, was an English pirate captain operating in the Bahamas and in Cuba during the early 18th century. His nickname was derived from the calico clothing that he wore, while Jack is a nickname for "John".

Benjamin Hornigold (1680–1719) was an English pirate who operated during the tail end of the Golden Age of Piracy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodes Rogers</span> British sea captain and governor of the Bahamas

Woodes Rogers was an English sea captain, privateer, slave trader and, from 1718, the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas. He is remembered as the captain of the vessel that rescued marooned Alexander Selkirk, whose plight is generally believed to have inspired Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stede Bonnet</span> Barbadian pirate (1688–1718)

Stede Bonnet was a Barbadian-born pirate and military officer, known as the Gentleman Pirate for the reason that he was a moderately wealthy landowner before turning to a life of crime. Bonnet was born into a wealthy English family on the island of Barbados, and inherited the family estate after his father's death in 1694. Despite his lack of sailing experience, Bonnet decided he should turn to piracy in the spring of 1717. He bought a sailing vessel, the Revenge, and travelled with his paid crew along the Eastern Seaboard of what is now the United States, capturing other vessels and burning other Barbadian ships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward England</span> Irish pirate (c. 1685 – 1721)

Edward England was an Irish pirate. The ships he sailed on included the Pearl and later the Fancy, for which England exchanged the Pearl in 1720. His flag was the classic Jolly Roger — almost exactly as the one "Black Sam" Bellamy used — with a human skull above two crossed bones on a black background. Like Bellamy, England was known for his kindness and compassion as a leader, unlike many other pirates of the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Vane</span> English pirate (d. 1721)

Charles Vane was an English pirate who operated in the Bahamas during the end of the Golden Age of Piracy.

Henry Jennings was an English privateer-turned-pirate. Jennings' first recorded act of piracy took place in early 1716 when, with three vessels and 150–300 men, Jennings' fleet ambushed the Spanish salvage camp from the 1715 Treasure Fleet. After the Florida raid, Jennings and his crew also linked up with Benjamin Hornigold's "three sets of pirates" from New Providence Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Kennedy (pirate)</span> English pirate

Walter Kennedy was an English pirate who served as a crew member under Howell Davis and Bartholomew Roberts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Santiago de Cuba (1748)</span>

The 2nd battle of Santiago de Cuba, which took place on 9 April 1748, was a failed attempt by elements of the British Royal Navy under Rear-Admiral Charles Knowles to force the entrance of the port of Santiago de Cuba with the aim of striking a blow to the Spanish trade and privateering, since Santiago was a major base of the Spanish privateers in the Caribbean. Two British ships of line were put out of action by the batteries of Morro Castle and had to be towed to open sea. The remaining British warships retreated soon after.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capture of John "Calico Jack" Rackham</span> 1720 naval engagement off Negril

The capture of John "Calico Jack" Rackham was a single-ship action fought between English pirate Calico Jack and British privateer Jonathan Barnet. The battle was fought in the vicinity of Negril, Jamaica and ended with the capture of Rackham and his crew.

HMS Flamborough was a Royal Navy post ship, launched in 1707 with 24 guns. She was the first Royal Navy vessel to be stationed in South Carolina, holding that position from 1719 to 1721. She was rebuilt as a considerably larger 20-gun vessel in 1727, and was employed during the following decade off Ireland and later on the Jamaica station. After a period in New York she returned to the Carolinas in 1739, patrolling the coast and playing a minor role in the War of Jenkins' Ear. She returned to England in 1745. After undergoing a major repair she was recommissioned under Captain Jervis Porter in April 1746, and served in the North Sea for the following two years. She was sold out of naval service in 1749.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic of Pirates</span> Pirate stronghold in the Bahamas (1706–1718)

The Republic of Pirates was the base and stronghold of a loose confederacy run by privateers-turned-pirates in Nassau on New Providence island in the Bahamas during the Golden Age of Piracy for about twelve years from 1706 until 1718. While it was not a republic in a formal sense, it was governed by an informal pirate code, which dictated that the crews of the Republic would vote on the leadership of their ships and treat other pirate crews with civility. The term comes from Colin Woodard's book of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying Gang</span> Group of pirates in 18th century

The Flying Gang was an 18th-century group of pirates who established themselves in Nassau, New Providence in the Bahamas after the destruction of Port Royal in Jamaica. The gang consisted of the most notorious and cunning pirates of the time, and they terrorized and pillaged the Caribbean until the Royal Navy and infighting brought them to justice. They achieved great fame and wealth by raiding salvagers attempting to recover gold from the sunken Spanish treasure fleet. They established their own codes and governed themselves independent from any of the colonial powers of the time. Nassau was deemed the Republic of Pirates as it attracted many former privateers looking for work to its shores. The Governor of Bermuda stated that there were over 1,000 pirates in Nassau at that time and that they outnumbered the mere hundred inhabitants in the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Nichols (pirate)</span>

Thomas Nichols was a pirate active in the Caribbean and off the American east coast. He is best known as a leader among the "Flying Gang" of pirates operating out of New Providence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Napin</span> Caribbean pirate

Captain Napin was a pirate active in the Caribbean and off the American east coast. He is best known for sailing alongside Benjamin Hornigold.

Jean Bonadvis was a French pirate active in the Caribbean. He is best known for his involvement with Benjamin Hornigold and "Calico Jack" Rackham.

Augustin Blanco was a pirate active in the Caribbean. He was noted for attacking in open boats, and for having a mixed-race crew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1717–1718 Acts of Grace</span> Proclamations promising pardons for acts of piracy

The Proclamation for Suppressing of Pirates was a royal proclamation issued by George I of Great Britain on 5 September 1717. It promised a pardon for acts of piracy committed before the following 5 January to those pirates who surrendered themselves to the correct authority before a deadline. Originally, the surrender had to occur on or before 5 September 1718; this was later extended by a second proclamation to 1 July 1719.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cordingly 2012, pp. 180–81.
  2. 1 2 Sherry 1986, p. 274.
  3. 1 2 West 2015, p. 171.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Marley 1998, p. 370.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Little, Bryan (1960). Crusoe's Captain. Odhams Press. pp. 193–94.
  6. 1 2 3 Pringle 2012, p. 198.
  7. 1 2 Cordingly 2012, p. 179.
  8. Fernández Duro 1900, p. 181–182.
  9. Fernández Duro 1900, p. 183.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Pezuela 1868, p. 321.
  11. 1 2 3 Sainsbury, William Noel; Sir Fortescue, John William; Headlam, Cecil, eds. (1933). Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 32, 1720–1721. Longman, Green, Longman & Roberts. pp. V & 34.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Riley & Peters 2000, p. 74.
  13. Woodard 2014 , p. 306
  14. 1 2 Thomas 2009, p. 212.
  15. Woodard 2014 , pp. 312–14
  16. Pezuela 1868, p. 322.

Bibliography

Pezuela, Jacobo (1868). Historia de la isla de Cuba (in Spanish). Vol. II. Madrid, España: C. Bailly-Baillière.