Attacks on Fuerteventura in 1740 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Attacks on Fuerteventura in 1740
Part of War of Jenkins' Ear
The bay at Gran Tarajal was used by both privateer expeditions to launch their attack on the island
Date 13 October and 24 November 1740 Location Fuerteventura, Canary Islands Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
British Empire	Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
unknown	José Sánchez Umpiérrez
Units involved
British privateers	Local militia
Strength
100 - 350	unknown
Casualties and losses
most killed.	unknown

The 1740 attacks on the island of Fuerteventura were two battles fought by English privateers against the island's local militia. These events are also known as the Battles of El Cuchillete and Tamasite (Spanish: Batallas de El Cuchillete y Tamasite). Both attacks happened within a month of each other. The island's militia successfully defended Fuerteventura each time. These attacks were part of a larger conflict, the War of Jenkins' Ear, which was a war between Britain and Spain. During this time, privateers, who were like armed ships hired by governments, often attacked enemy ships and lands.

Why Did These Attacks Happen?

The War of Jenkins' Ear was a conflict between Britain and Spain. It lasted from 1739 to 1748. The main fighting mostly ended by 1742. This war got its unusual name from a British captain's severed ear. Both sides used privateers during this time. Privateers were private ships given permission by their government to attack enemy ships.

The privateers who attacked Fuerteventura Island were recruited in New England. Newspapers in Boston even announced in June 1740 that a large ship, named after Admiral Vernon, was ready "to go in search of the Spanish."

What Happened During the Attacks?

Tuineje, the village targeted by privateers in 1740

The First Attack

The first privateer attack on Fuerteventura happened in October 1740. About 50 men landed in the bay of Gran Tarajal. They then marched inland to the village of Tuineje. The privateers started to loot Tuineje. They did not know that the island's militia was gathering to defend the island.

Fuerteventura had been attacked by privateers before. Because of this, the island had towers built for defense. These towers were at Caleta de Fuste and Tostón.

Lieutenant Colonel José Sánchez Umpiérrez was the island's military commander. Captain Melchor Cabrera Bethencourt helped him lead the militia. They fought against the British privateers. The islanders' defense was very strong. Out of 50 privateers, 30 were killed. The remaining 20 were captured. According to a writer named George Glas, the islanders used clubs and stones to fight. They even hid behind a wall of camels to protect themselves from musket fire. The captured privateers were sent to Tenerife.

The Second Attack

The second attack happened shortly after the first, in November 1740. Some say it was six weeks later, others say one month. This attack was similar to the first one.

It is believed that a much larger group of privateers launched the second attack. George Glas wrote that there were between 200 and 300 men. Again, they landed at Gran Tarajal bay. They marched to Tuineje with drums and banners, ready to loot.

There is some disagreement about the exact number of privateers involved. There is also debate about how many were killed. John Mercer, in his 1973 book, said that the locals killed "fifty [privateers] on the spot." This would mean fewer privateers attacked than Glas suggested. However, it is agreed that the second attack was much more brutal. It seems that all the privateers involved were killed. No prisoners were taken this time.

Glas noted that the islanders were very angry. They were upset that a second attack happened so soon. Because of this, they showed no mercy to the invaders.

"The natives, enraged to find the island disturbed again in so short a time, determined to give these second invaders no quarter.." - George Glas: The History of the Discovery and Conquest of the Canary Islands.

Sources

• The history of the discovery and conquest of the Canary islands. By Juan de Abreu y Galindo, George Glas
• Ataques ingleses contra Fuerteventura : 1740 (in Spanish)

See also

In Spanish: Ataques corsarios a Fuerteventura en 1740 para niños