Battle of Nassau (1720)
Encyclopedia
The Raid on Nassau took place in February 1720 when a Spanish
force attempted to assault the British
settlement of Nassau
during the War of the Quadruple Alliance
.
The Spanish force of 1,200 was largely drawn from Cuba
ns and commanded by José Cornejo. The threat of Spanish invasion had bedeviled New Providence for the past year, halting settlement on the island and prompting the construction of Fort Nassau, with 50 guns and 250 defenders. Initial plans for an attack on the city from Nassau Harbour were forestalled by the discovery of two British warships in the harbour: the governor's flagship, Delicia (32), and the frigate
HMS Flamborough (24). Spain's heavy ships of the line sat too deep for the harbour's shallow waters. Cornejo opted to bypass the city and the Spanish squadron crept ahead east along Hog's Island, landing three columns and seizing large amounts of plunder before being repelled by Governor Woodes Rogers
's 500 militia. The Spanish ships remained in the bay for some time before retiring .
Cornejo eventually set sail unmolested with over 100 captured slaves. Rogers, unable to pay the garrison and his health failing, set sail for England soon afterward. The governor had expended his personal fortune on Nassau's defenses, which had been the source of considerable anxiety and depression. Britain and Spain negotiated peace the following year.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
force attempted to assault the British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
settlement of Nassau
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
during the War of the Quadruple Alliance
War of the Quadruple Alliance
The War of the Quadruple Alliance was a result of the ambitions of King Philip V of Spain, his wife, Elisabeth Farnese, and his chief minister Giulio Alberoni to retake territories in Italy and to claim the French throne. It saw the defeat of Spain by an alliance of Britain, France, Austria , and...
.
The Spanish force of 1,200 was largely drawn from Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
ns and commanded by José Cornejo. The threat of Spanish invasion had bedeviled New Providence for the past year, halting settlement on the island and prompting the construction of Fort Nassau, with 50 guns and 250 defenders. Initial plans for an attack on the city from Nassau Harbour were forestalled by the discovery of two British warships in the harbour: the governor's flagship, Delicia (32), and the frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
HMS Flamborough (24). Spain's heavy ships of the line sat too deep for the harbour's shallow waters. Cornejo opted to bypass the city and the Spanish squadron crept ahead east along Hog's Island, landing three columns and seizing large amounts of plunder before being repelled by Governor Woodes Rogers
Woodes Rogers
Woodes Rogers was an English sea captain, privateer, and, later, the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas. He is known as the captain of the vessel that rescued the marooned Alexander Selkirk, whose plight is generally believed to have inspired Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.Rogers came from an...
's 500 militia. The Spanish ships remained in the bay for some time before retiring .
Cornejo eventually set sail unmolested with over 100 captured slaves. Rogers, unable to pay the garrison and his health failing, set sail for England soon afterward. The governor had expended his personal fortune on Nassau's defenses, which had been the source of considerable anxiety and depression. Britain and Spain negotiated peace the following year.