Capture of the galleon San Joaquin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Cartagena (1711)
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession
Date 11 August 1711 Location Boca Chica Channel, off Cartagena de Indias (Present day Colombia) Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain
Commanders and leaders
James Littleton	Don Miguel de Villanueva
Strength
5 ships	2 ships
Casualties and losses
7 casualties	2 ships captured, 150 casualties 450 captured

The capture of the galleon San Joaquin was a naval battle that happened near Cartagena (which is now in Colombia). It was part of the War of the Spanish Succession. In this battle, five British warships fought against a large Spanish ship called a galleon and a smaller vessel. The fight lasted less than an hour, and the Spanish ships surrendered.

The San Joaquin galleon had been in another battle almost three years earlier. It had barely escaped capture back then.

What Led to the Battle?

Spanish Treasure Fleet Plans

In May 1711, a French admiral named Jean du Casse arrived in Cartagena. He was there to help protect the Spanish Treasure Fleet. This fleet was a group of ships carrying valuable goods, like gold and silver, back to Spain.

On August 3, 1711, the Treasure Fleet set sail from Cartagena. It included several important ships:

• The San Joaquin, a 64-gun galleon, led by Admiral Miguel Agustin Villanueva.
• The Saint-Michel, a 70-gun ship, led by Jean du Casse.
• The Hercule, a 60-gun ship.
• The Griffon, a 44-gun frigate (a smaller, faster warship).

British Fleet Arrives

Meanwhile, a British commander named James Littleton was also in the area. He had sailed from Port Royal in Jamaica on July 26. His fleet was made up of several ships, including:

• HMS Salisbury (50 guns), Littleton's main ship.
• Salisbury Prize (50 guns).
• HMS Jersey (60 guns), led by Captain Edward Vernon.
• HMS Newcastle (50 guns).
• HMS Weymouth (50 guns).
• HMS Anglesea (50 guns).
• The frigate Fowey (40 guns).

The Capture of the San Joaquin

Fleets Meet and a Storm Hits

Admiral du Casse left one frigate, the Gallarde, behind to help defend Cartagena. As the Spanish fleet left port, Littleton's British ships soon spotted them. However, a big storm suddenly hit. This storm stopped any fighting from happening, and both fleets scattered. Most of the Spanish fleet, including du Casse's ship, went back to Cartagena. But they didn't tell Admiral Villanueva that they were returning.

Villanueva's Mistake

On August 7, the galleon San Joaquin and a smaller Spanish ship became separated from the rest of their fleet. They then saw a group of ships in the distance. Admiral Villanueva thought these ships were du Casse's fleet coming back to join them. But he was wrong. It was Littleton's British squadron.

When Villanueva realized his mistake, it was too late to escape. He decided to fight Littleton's powerful British ships.

The Battle

The battle that followed was very quick, lasting less than 20 minutes. The San Joaquin was badly damaged. Its masts (the tall poles that hold the sails) were broken, and many of its crew were hurt or killed.

Admiral Villanueva was surrounded by the much stronger British squadron. He was hit by a musket shot and was badly wounded. Soon after, he decided to strike his flag. This means he lowered his ship's flag, which was a sign of surrender.

Littleton himself went aboard the San Joaquin from his ship, the Salisbury, to accept the surrender. Meanwhile, Captain Vernon, on his ship the Jersey, captured the smaller Spanish vessel that was trying to get away.

What Happened Next?

After the battle, the valuable goods found on the San Joaquin were shared among the British captains and crew as prize money. The British ships then sailed back to Port Royal in Jamaica.

The King of Spain, King Philip V, had ordered that the treasure from the fleet be moved to French ships for safety. Three days after the battle, Admiral du Casse learned that the San Joaquin was lost. He then left Cartagena with his remaining ships. They first sailed to Martinique, then to Pensacola, and finally reached Spain safely.