Raid on Charles Town facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raid on Charles Town |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Spain |
 England |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Juan de Alarcón | Gov. Robert Clarke (POW) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 201 men 2 vessels |
|||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown, minimum. | 700~ prisoners 4 ships destroyed 1 ship taken |
||||||
The Raid on Charles Town was a surprise attack by Spanish ships on 19 January 1684. This attack targeted Charles Town, which is now known as Nassau. Charles Town was the main city in the Bahamas.
The Spanish attack was led by a Cuban privateer named Juan de Alarcón. A privateer was like a pirate, but they had permission from their government to attack enemy ships. Charles Town was an English stronghold known for its privateers. These privateers often attacked Spanish ships.
The governor of Charles Town, Robert Clarke, allowed these privateering attacks. He believed it helped protect the colony. However, these attacks went against peace treaties between England and Spain. On the day of the raid, the Spanish destroyed the settlements and captured Governor Clarke. He later died while being held by the Spanish. After the raid, the Bahamas had no clear English presence until December 1686.
Why the Raid Happened
The Bahamas was a popular place for pirates and privateers. These groups often attacked Spanish ships sailing in the Caribbean. Governor Robert Clarke, who was in charge of the English colony, even gave permission for some privateers to attack Spanish areas far from the Bahamas.
This made the Spanish very angry. It broke peace agreements, like the 1667 and 1670 treaties of Madrid, between England and Spain. The Spanish decided to take action to stop these attacks.
Juan de Alarcón was a Spanish corsair, another name for a privateer. He was given a special order by Governor José Fernández de Córdoba to attack New Providence. Alarcón sailed with two ships and 200 men. He secretly approached the island.
The Attack on Charles Town
Alarcón's plan was very clever. He captured a small boat and forced its captain, William Bell, to guide his ships. They entered the harbor through a hidden eastern channel. At dawn, Alarcón landed 150 men close to Charles Town. At the same time, his two main ships sailed directly towards the six English vessels in the harbor.
Charles Town was caught completely by surprise. The town had about 400 men who could fight. There were also many women, children, and enslaved people. They were not ready for an attack. Governor Robert Clarke was hurt and captured when he tried to fight back. The new governor, Robert Lilburne, and most other residents ran away.
Two English ships, the Good Intent and another vessel, managed to escape. The Spanish then took over the remaining four ships. They quickly looted the town, taking valuable items. They loaded their stolen goods onto their biggest captured ship. Then, they burned the other ships and sailed away that evening.
What Happened Next
After attacking Charles Town, Alarcón sailed to northern Eleuthera, another English settlement. He did the same thing there, attacking and looting. He then returned to Charles Town on 15 November 1684. This time, he set fire to the buildings and took many residents to Havana.
Most of the buildings in Charles Town were burned down. The Bahamas were left almost empty of English settlers. About 200 colonists went to Jamaica for safety. Another 50 from northern Eleuthera moved to Casco, which is now in Maine.
The Bahamas remained without a clear English presence until December 1686. At that time, a small group from Jamaica, led by a preacher named Thomas Bridges, came back. They settled on New Providence Island, and more colonists slowly joined them. Eventually, the settlers rebuilt their lives. The new governor, Robert Lilburne, also returned from England.
