Raid on Nassau (1720) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raid on Nassau (1720) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of War of the Quadruple Alliance | |||||||
 Map of the Island of New Providence with Nassau and Hog Island in the North East |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Spain |
 Britain |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Francisco Cornejo José Cordero |
Woodes Rogers |
||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 3 frigates 9 brigantines & sloops 1,300–2,000 soldiers and sailors |
2 frigates 500 militiamen |
||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 sloop wrecked | Unknown | ||||||
The Raid on Nassau was a military attack by Spain in February 1720. It happened during the War of the Quadruple Alliance. Spanish forces tried to capture the British settlement of Nassau on the island of New Providence. The Spanish managed to raid some smaller areas. However, their main attack on Nassau was stopped. The invasion was not successful for Spain.
Contents
Why the Raid Happened: The Background Story
In 1718, the British Empire wanted to control the Bahamas. This area was mostly run by pirates. So, Britain sent Captain Woodes Rogers to be the new royal governor. He did a great job stopping the pirates. He also improved how the government worked and brought back trade.
In February 1719, Rogers heard that Spain planned to invade the Bahamas. But the Spanish fleet was delayed. It was sent to Florida instead. There, they tried to take back Pensacola from the French in August 1719. During this delay, Rogers made his position stronger. He rebuilt Fort Nassau, finishing it in January 1720.
At this time, British and Spanish ships often fought in the Caribbean. This was because of secret trade by the British. The fighting got worse when the War of the Quadruple Alliance began. Gregorio Guazo, the governor of Cuba, saw Rogers building up the Bahamas. So, he put together a military force to capture Nassau.
Three Spanish warships, called frigates, were the main part of the fleet. They were led by Francisco Cornejo. Nine other ships, including smaller privateer vessels, joined them. A privateer was a private ship allowed by a government to attack enemy ships. The land forces had about 1,300 to 2,000 soldiers and sailors. This included 1,400 regular soldiers.
The Attack on Nassau: What Happened
At the end of February 1720, the Spanish from Havana launched their attack. They sailed through the Florida Straits to reach New Providence. Woodes Rogers was ready at Old Fort of Nassau. The fort had fifty cannons. There was also a smaller battery with ten cannons to the east. Rogers had about one hundred soldiers. He also had nearly 500 local militia men. Many of these men were former pirates. Rogers also had two ships: the Delicia with 32 cannons and the frigate HMS Flamborough with 24 cannons. Captain Johnathan Hildesley commanded the Flamborough.
The Spanish ships attacked New Providence from the north. The two largest warships, Principle and Hercules, stayed in deeper water. They anchored there. On February 24, Cornejo in the San Jose (36 cannons) and smaller warships like the San Cristoforo (20 cannons) sailed towards Nassau harbour. They raised their Spanish flags. The British were surprised to see the Spanish. But Cornejo did not attack the port directly. This was because the Delicia and Flamborough were there. Rogers had to convince Captain Hildesley of the Flamborough to stay and defend the island. Cornejo waited to attack the next day. But strong winds turned into a storm that afternoon. This forced the Spanish to cut their anchor ropes. Cornejo had to sail out to the open sea.
The Spanish warships and smaller ships tried again. This time, they wanted to avoid Fort Nassau's strong defenses. They sailed along Hog Island. This island protected the city's harbour. They went to the east and west to block the entrance. On the night of February 25, the Spanish tried to land three groups of soldiers. They planned to land on the back side of Hog Island. Then, they would cross a narrow eastern channel in small boats. They rowed quietly towards the shore. But they were met with gunfire from muskets and cannons. The Spanish in the boats realized their surprise attack was ruined. In confusion and panic, they pulled back. They quickly rowed away to get out of range. According to the Flamborough's log book, just two local guards in a small fort stopped this Spanish force. To the west, the Spanish tried to land where 500 militia, mostly former pirates, were waiting. This attack caused some damage to buildings outside the main area. But it was also stopped. It turned into a small fight until the Spanish left again.
Later that day, another storm hit the Spanish ships. This storm finally forced them to leave. The militia found the San Cristoforo wrecked on the Bahama Banks. By March 1, the Spanish had returned to Havana. This ended the threat of invasion.
What Happened Next: After the Raid
After the Spanish were pushed back, Rogers did not know they had left. Several weeks later, he received a letter from two Englishmen in Havana. They told him that a storm had hit the Spanish fleet. This storm forced them to leave. Cornejo returned to Havana. He had captured over a hundred enslaved people and other valuable goods. This was some comfort for him.
Even though he stopped the Spanish, Rogers could not pay his soldiers for the rest of the year. His health was also getting worse. He sailed to Charleston on December 6, 1720. The governor had spent his own money to defend Nassau. Rogers was upset by the lack of help and communication from London. He sailed for Britain in March 1721. He arrived three months later. There, he found that a new governor had been chosen. Rogers was personally responsible for the money he had spent in Nassau. He was put in prison for debt.
A Different Story: Pezuela's Account
Jacobo Pezuela, a Spanish historian, tells a very different version of these events. He does not mention any British ships being in the area. He says that Cornejo attacked the fort with his fleet. Meanwhile, Cordero, with several groups of soldiers, took over Nassau. Pezuela states that the men in the fort surrendered after three days. He also says that Rogers had traveled to Bermuda when Cornejo appeared in Nassau. Pezuela claims that after the fort surrendered, 200 men were allowed to leave. They were sent to Bermuda. He also says that the Spanish attack was a success. The settlers were pushed into the countryside. The Spanish captured the fort's cannons, 100 enslaved people, and other items. However, Pezuela says that these captured goods did not cover the costs of the raid.
