Battle of San Juan (1797) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of San Juan (1797)
Part of the War of the First Coalition and the Anglo-Spanish War of 1796-1808
The Fortín de San Gerónimo
Date 17 April – 2 May 1797 Location San Juan, Puerto Rico Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain Puerto Rico
Commanders and leaders
Ralph Abercromby Henry Harvey	Ramón de Castro Francisco Díaz  †
Strength
7,000 68 warships with 600 guns	6,000-7,000 376 guns and 12 gunboats
Casualties and losses
37 killed 70 wounded 124 captured or missing 400 surrendered Total: 631	47 killed 28 wounded 56 captured or missing 18 surrendered Total: 149

The Battle of San Juan was a big fight in 1797. The British tried to attack the Spanish city of San Juan in Puerto Rico. This happened during the Anglo-Spanish War, which lasted from 1796 to 1808. The British attack didn't succeed.

Why did the Battle of San Juan happen?

In 1796, Spain became friends with France by signing a deal called the Second Treaty of San Ildefonso. This meant Spain and France were allies. Because of this, Great Britain decided to attack the colonies that Spain and France had in the Caribbean.

A British fleet, led by Admiral Sir Henry Harvey, picked up an army commanded by Sir Ralph Abercromby. First, they went to Trinidad and captured it from the Spanish. After that victory, they sailed towards San Juan, Puerto Rico, ready for another battle.

How did the battle unfold?

On April 17, 1797, Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby and his fleet arrived near Puerto Rico. He had 68 ships and about 7,000 soldiers. Some of these soldiers were from Germany and some were French people who had left France. Two of his ships then blocked the harbor of San Juan.

The governor of Puerto Rico, Field Marshal Don Ramón de Castro y Gutiérrez, was ready. He had already gathered his forces. He had 4,000 local soldiers, 200 Spanish soldiers, and 300 French privateers (private ships allowed to attack enemy ships). He also had 2,000 armed farmers and some prisoners who were allowed to fight. This brought his total strength to almost the same as the British. He also had many cannons, mortars, and howitzers.

This old picture shows the battlefield.

On April 18, Abercromby landed 3,000 of his troops. They took control of an area called Cangrejos. Governor Castro moved his soldiers to defend other key areas.

On April 21, the British started firing their cannons at the Spanish forts of San Gerónimo and San Antonio. These forts were located at the Boquerón Inlet. This cannon fight lasted for seven days. At the same time, Spanish forces kept pressure on the British. They recaptured the Martín Peña Bridge. Also, local soldiers led by Sergeant Francisco Díaz went behind the British lines and captured some prisoners.

Then, on April 29 and 30, the Spanish crossed the Boquerón Inlet. They forced the British to retreat.

What happened after the battle?

On May 1, the Spanish discovered that the British had left. The British left behind their weapons, supplies, and ammunition. This meant the Spanish had won the battle and successfully defended San Juan.

See also

In Spanish: Ataque a Puerto Rico (1797) para niños