General Commander and Battle of Cartagena de Indias Blas de Lezo

in 1734 king promoted him lieutenant general of navy. returned south america ships fuerte , conquistador in 1737 general commander of spanish fleet stationed @ cartagena de indias, in modern-day colombia. took new post prior conflict between great britain , spain become known war of jenkins ear , later subsumed war of austrian succession.

de lezo lieutenant general of spanish navy

in stages of conflict, british admiral edward vernon undertook attacks on various spanish outposts in america. 1 victory involved capture of portobelo (panama), dismantling of fortifications , withdrawal of british forces having left place defenceless.

admiral vernon tested cartagena de indias on 3 separate occasions. both vernon , edward trelawny, british governor of jamaica, considered spanish gold shipping port prime objective. first attempt, in march 1740, reconnaissance in force squadron including ships of line, 2 fire ships, 3 bomb vessels, , transport ships. vernon s intention gather information on topography , troop strength , provoke response might give him better idea of defensive capabilities of spanish.

in may, vernon returned cartagena de indias in charge of 13 warships, intention of probing city s defences.

the actual attack on cartagena de indias took place on march 13-may 20, 1741. british concentrated fleet consisting of 196 ships, including 2,620 artillery pieces , more. there 10,000 soldiers, 12,600 sailors, 1,000 jamaican slaves , 4000 recruits virginia. defences of cartagena de indias comprised between 3,000 , 6,000 combatants, including regular troops, militia, indian archers , crews of 6 spanish warships. blas de lezo s advantages consisted of formidable primary fortress , numerous secondary fortifications.

blas de lezo statue in cartagena de indias

on evening of april 19, british mounted assault in force upon san felipe. 3 columns of grenadiers supported jamaicans , several british companies moved under cover of darkness, aid of intense naval bombardment. british fought way base of fort s ramparts unable overcome defence , withdrew. after comprehensively destroying forts in possession, british began orderly withdrawal jamaica.