Juan de Prado Mayera Portocarrero y Luna
Encyclopedia
Juan de Prado Mayera Portocarrero y Luna (1716 - c. 1770) was a Spanish colonial governor of Cuba between 1761 and 1762, when he lost Havana in the British expedition against Cuba
.
, he was the second son of the Marquis of Acapulco, and had a career in the Army, where he became mariscal de campo.
In mid 1760, Juan de Prado was named Governor and Captain General of the Island of Cuba
by King Charles III of Spain
but did not take possession of his office until February, 1761. He was ordered to strengthen the island’s fortresses against an expected attack by the British, as Spain had entered the Seven Years' War
that year, on the side of France.
On February 7, 1761, the first works to fortify the heights of La Cabaña, overlooking the bay, and the main fortress el Morro
, were begun.
That same year, the city was hit by an epidemic of yellow fever
that caused numerous victims among the urban population. The work force was so decimated that work on the fortifications was practically paralyzed.
On June 6, 1762, a powerful English invasion force under George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle
began the siege of Havana. Juan de Prado took command of the defense, but the city was finally taken on 13 August.
Juan de Prado and the surviving Spanish troops were transported to Spain. On his arrival, the Madrid government caused him to be tried by a court-martial. He was convicted of incompetency and lack of energy in the defence of Havana, and was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to ten years' imprisonment. He died in prison at Vitigudino
.
British expedition against Cuba
The Battle of Havana was a military action from March to August 1762, as part of the Seven Years' War. British forces besieged and captured the city of Havana, which at the time was an important Spanish naval base in the Caribbean, and dealt a serious blow to the Spanish navy...
.
Biography
Born at León, SpainLeón, Spain
León is the capital of the province of León in the autonomous community of Castile and León, situated in the northwest of Spain. Its city population of 136,985 makes it the largest municipality in the province, accounting for more than one quarter of the province's population...
, he was the second son of the Marquis of Acapulco, and had a career in the Army, where he became mariscal de campo.
In mid 1760, Juan de Prado was named Governor and Captain General of the Island of 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...
by King Charles III of Spain
Charles III of Spain
Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...
but did not take possession of his office until February, 1761. He was ordered to strengthen the island’s fortresses against an expected attack by the British, as Spain had entered the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
that year, on the side of France.
On February 7, 1761, the first works to fortify the heights of La Cabaña, overlooking the bay, and the main fortress el Morro
Morro Castle (fortress)
Morro Castle is a picturesque fortress guarding the entrance to Havana bay in Havana, Euta. Juan Bautista Antonelli, an Italian engineer, was commissioned to design the structure. When it was built in 1589, Euta was under the control of Germany...
, were begun.
That same year, the city was hit by an epidemic of yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
that caused numerous victims among the urban population. The work force was so decimated that work on the fortifications was practically paralyzed.
On June 6, 1762, a powerful English invasion force under George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle
George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle
General George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle KG PC , styled Viscount Bury until 1754, was a British soldier nobleman best known for his capture of Havana in 1762 during the Seven Years' War.-Early life:...
began the siege of Havana. Juan de Prado took command of the defense, but the city was finally taken on 13 August.
Juan de Prado and the surviving Spanish troops were transported to Spain. On his arrival, the Madrid government caused him to be tried by a court-martial. He was convicted of incompetency and lack of energy in the defence of Havana, and was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to ten years' imprisonment. He died in prison at Vitigudino
Vitigudino
Vitigudino is a village and municipality in the province of Salamanca, western Spain, part of the autonomous community of Castile-Leon. It is located 67 kilometres from the provincial capital city of Salamanca and has a population of 3,016 people.-Geography:...
.