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{{Short description|Naval battle off coast of Colombia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Action of August 1702
|conflict=Action of August 1702
|partof=the [[War of the Spanish Succession]]
|partof=the [[War of the Spanish Succession]]
|image=[[Image:Benbow fights on.jpg|300px]]
|image=Benbow fights on.jpg
|image_size = 300px
|caption=The injured Benbow continues to order the attack
|caption=The injured Benbow continues to order the attack
|date=19–25 August 1702 [[Old Style|O.S.]]
|date=19–25 August 1702 [[Old Style|O.S.]]
|place=off [[Santa Marta]]
|place=Off [[Santa Marta]], [[New Kingdom of Granada]]
|coordinates = {{coord|11|14|17|N|74|12|18|W|display=inline,title}}
|result=French victory
|result=Indecisive<ref>{{cite book |last1=Falkner |first1=James |title=The War of the Spanish Succession 1701-1714 |date=2015 |publisher=Pen & Sword Military |isbn=9781781590317 |page=34 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BS2z3iGPCigC}}</ref>
|combatant1={{flag|Kingdom of England}}
|combatant2={{flag|Kingdom of France}}
|combatant1={{flagcountry|Kingdom of England}}
|commander1={{flagicon|Kingdom of England|naval}} [[John Benbow]]
|combatant2={{flagcountry|Kingdom of France}}
|commander1={{flagicon|Kingdom of England|naval}} [[John Benbow]]{{DOW}}
|commander2={{flagicon|Kingdom of France|naval}} [[Jean du Casse]]
|commander2={{flagicon|Kingdom of France|naval}} [[Jean du Casse]]
|strength1=7 [[ships of the line]]
|strength1=7 [[ships of the line]]
|strength2=4 ships of the line<br />1 [[frigate]]<br />4 [[sloop]]s<br />1 transport
|strength2=4 ships of the line<br>1 [[frigate]]<br>4 [[sloop]]s<br>1 transport
|casualties1=1 ship damaged
|casualties1=1 ship damaged
|casualties2=1 ship captured
|casualties2=1 ship captured
⚫
|campaignbox={{Campaignbox War of the Spanish Succession: West Indies}}
}}
}}
⚫
{{Campaignbox War of the Spanish Succession: West Indies}}


The '''Action of August 1702''' took place from 19–25 August 1702 [[Old Style|O.S.]] between an English [[Squadron (naval)|squadron]] under Vice-Admiral [[John Benbow]] and a French under Admiral [[Jean du Casse]], off Cape Santa Marta on the coast of present-day Colombia, South America, during the [[War of the Spanish Succession]].<ref>[[John B. Hattendorf]], ed., "Benbow's Last Fight: Documents relating to the Battle of Cape Santa Marta,
The '''action of August 1702''' was an inconclusive naval battle that took place from 19 to 25 August 1702 [[Old Style|O.S.]] between an English [[Squadron (naval)|squadron]] under Vice-Admiral [[John Benbow]] and a French under Admiral [[Jean du Casse]], off Cape Santa Marta on the coast of present-day Colombia, South America, during the [[War of the Spanish Succession]].<ref>[[John B. Hattendorf]], ed., "Benbow's Last Fight: Documents relating to the Battle of Cape Santa Marta,
19-24 August 1702," in [[N.A.M. Rodger]], ed., ''Naval Miscellany'', vol. 5 (London: Naval
19-24 August 1702," in [[N.A.M. Rodger]], ed., ''Naval Miscellany'', vol. 5. Publications of the Navy Records Society, vol. 125. (London: Naval Records Society, 1984), pp. 143-206.
Records Society, 1984),pp. 143-206.
</ref> Benbow vigorously attacked the French squadron, but the refusal of most of his captains to support the action allowed du Casse to escape. Benbow lost a leg during the engagement and died of illness about two months later. Two of the captains were convicted of cowardice and shot.
</ref> Benbow vigorously attacked the French squadron, but the refusal of most of his captains to support the action allowed du Casse to escape. Benbow lost a leg during the engagement and died of illness about two months later. Two of the captains were convicted of cowardice and shot.


Benbow's resolution to pursue the French, in what proved to be his last fight, proved irresistible to the public imagination. The events of the fight inspired a number of ballads, usually entitled ''Admiral Benbow'' or ''Brave Benbow'', which were still favourites among British sailors more than a century later.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://bravebenbow.tripod.com/id15.html | title=Admiral Benbow Art | accessdate=2 December 2006}}</ref>
Benbow's resolution to pursue the French, in what proved to be his last fight, proved irresistible to the public imagination. The events of the fight inspired a number of ballads, usually entitled ''Admiral Benbow'' or ''Brave Benbow'', which were still favourites among British sailors more than a century later.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://bravebenbow.tripod.com/id15.html | title=Admiral Benbow Art | access-date=2 December 2006}}</ref>


==Prelude==
==Prelude==
Upon the outbreak of the War of the Spanish Succession, Benbow was sent to the [[West Indies]] with a small squadron, with the intention of keeping the Spanish possessions there out of the hands of the French. Du Casse was dispatched to [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]] with a squadron to compel its allegiance to [[Philip V of Spain|Philip V]]. Benbow set out to intercept them.<ref name="kingston">{{Cite book| first=William Henry Giles Kingston | title=How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves | chapter=Chapter 12: Queen Anne | url=http://www.athelstane.co.uk/kingston/rulewave/rulewave.htm | chapterurl=http://www.athelstane.co.uk/kingston/rulewave/rwave12.htm | accessdate=2 December 2006}}</ref>
Upon the outbreak of the War of the Spanish Succession, Benbow was sent to the [[West Indies]] with a small squadron, with the intention of keeping the Spanish possessions there out of the hands of the French. Du Casse was dispatched to [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]] with a squadron to compel its allegiance to [[Philip V of Spain|Philip V]]. Benbow set out to intercept them.<ref name="kingston">{{Cite book|author=William Henry Giles Kingston |title=How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves |chapter=Chapter 12: Queen Anne |url=http://www.athelstane.co.uk/kingston/rulewave/rulewave.htm |chapter-url=http://www.athelstane.co.uk/kingston/rulewave/rwave12.htm |access-date=2 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015119/http://www.athelstane.co.uk/kingston/rulewave/rulewave.htm |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref>


==Course of battle==
==Course of battle==
On 19 August 1702, Benbow's squadron encountered the French along the coast of [[Colombia]], off [[Santa Marta]], a little to the east of the mouth of the Rio Magdalena. He ordered his squadron to engage, but ''Defiance'' and ''Windsor'' being astern and showing no great haste, they had to be ordered to make more sail. Benbow intended to wait for ''Defiance'' to come up; but ''Falmouth'' opened the engagement by attacking the frigate, and ''Windsor'' a ship abreast of her, at four o'clock. ''Breda'' joined in, but ''Defiance'' and ''Windsor'' broke off after a few broadsides and left the ''Breda'' under fire from the French, the battle continuing until nightfall.<ref name="breda">{{Cite web| url=http://www.ageofnelson.org/MichaelPhillips/info.php?ref=5114 | title=Information on Breda (70) (1692) | accessdate=2 November 2006}}</ref> ''Breda'' and ''Ruby'' pursued the French all night, while the rest of the squadron straggled.<ref name="greenwich">{{Cite web| url=http://www.ageofnelson.org/MichaelPhillips/info.php?ref=5414 | title=Information on Greenwich (54) (1666) | accessdate=2 November 2006}}</ref>
On 19 August 1702, Benbow's squadron encountered the French along the coast of [[Colombia]], off [[Santa Marta]], a little to the east of the mouth of the Rio Magdalena. Commanding from his flagship, the ''Breda'', he ordered his squadron to engage, but ''Defiance'' and ''Windsor'' being astern and showing no great haste, they had to be ordered to make more sail. Benbow intended to wait for ''Defiance'' to come up; but ''Falmouth'' opened the engagement by attacking the frigate, and ''Windsor'' a ship abreast of her, at four o'clock. ''Breda'' joined in, but ''Defiance'' and ''Windsor'' broke off after a few broadsides and left the ''Breda'' under fire from the French, the battle continuing until nightfall.<ref name="breda">{{Cite web| url=http://www.ageofnelson.org/MichaelPhillips/info.php?ref=5114 | title=Information on Breda (70) (1692) | access-date=2 November 2006}}</ref> ''Breda'' and ''Ruby'' pursued the French all night, while the rest of the squadron straggled.<ref name="greenwich">{{Cite web| url=http://www.ageofnelson.org/MichaelPhillips/info.php?ref=5414 | title=Information on Greenwich (54) (1666) | access-date=2 November 2006}}</ref>


Pursuit continued through the 20th, with the ''Breda'' and ''Ruby'' firing chase-guns as they could. Engaging again on the morning of the 21st, ''Ruby'' was badly damaged; ''Defiance'' and ''Windsor'' refused action, though abreast of the last French ship.<ref name="greenwich" /> The ''Greenwich'' had now fallen five [[league (unit)|league]]s astern. On the 22nd, ''Breda'' captured the galley ''Anne'', originally an English ship captured by the French, and the damaged ''Ruby'' was ordered to return to [[Port Royal]].<ref name="breda" />
Pursuit continued through 20 August, with the ''Breda'' and ''Ruby'' firing chase-guns as they could. Engaging again on the morning of the 21st, ''Ruby'' was badly damaged; ''Defiance'' and ''Windsor'' refused action, though abreast of the last French ship.<ref name="greenwich" /> The ''Greenwich'' had now fallen five [[league (unit)|league]]s astern. On the 22nd, ''Breda'' captured the galley ''Anne'', originally an English ship captured by the French, and the damaged ''Ruby'' was ordered to return to [[Port Royal]].<ref name="breda" />


During the night of the 24th, Benbow engaged one of the enemy ships alone and had his right leg wrecked by a chain shot, returning to the quarter-deck as soon as it could be dressed. Flag-Captain Fogg ordered the other captains of the squadron to keep the line of battle;<ref name="breda" /> in response, Captain Kirkby of ''Defiance'' came aboard and told Benbow, "You had better desist, the French are very strong." Finding the other captains largely of the same opinion, Benbow broke off and returned to [[Jamaica]].<ref name="greenwich" />
During the night of 24 August, Benbow engaged one of the enemy ships alone and had his right leg wrecked by a chain shot, returning to the quarterdeck as soon as it could be dressed. Flag-Captain Fogg ordered the other captains of the squadron to keep the line of battle;<ref name="breda" /> in response, Captain Kirkby of ''Defiance'' came aboard and told Benbow, "You had better desist, the French are very strong." Finding the other captains largely of the same opinion, Benbow broke off and returned to [[Jamaica]].<ref name="greenwich" />


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Line 40: Line 42:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Sir,<br />
Sir,<br />
I had little hopes on Monday last but to have supped in your cabin: but it pleased God to order it otherwise. I am thankful for it. As for those cowardly captains who deserted you, hang them up, for by God they deserve it.<br />
I had little hopes on Monday last but to have supped in your cabin: but it pleased God to order it otherwise. I am thankful for it. As for those cowardly captains who deserted you, hang them, for by God they deserve it.<br />
Yours,<br />
Yours,<br />
Du Casse
Du Casse
Line 46: Line 48:
Such was indeed his course: Benbow held courts-martial upon his captains upon their return. Captains Kirkby and Wade were found guilty of cowardice and sentenced to be shot; Wade was said to have been drunk throughout the engagement. Captain Constable was cleared of the charge of cowardice, but was convicted on other charges and [[cashiering|cashiered]]. Captain Hudson died before he could be tried. Captains Fogg and Vincent were charged with having signed a paper with the other captains of the squadron, stating they would not fight, but they represented this as a device to keep Captain Kirkby from deserting; Benbow testifying in their favour, they were merely suspended.<ref name="breda" />
Such was indeed his course: Benbow held courts-martial upon his captains upon their return. Captains Kirkby and Wade were found guilty of cowardice and sentenced to be shot; Wade was said to have been drunk throughout the engagement. Captain Constable was cleared of the charge of cowardice, but was convicted on other charges and [[cashiering|cashiered]]. Captain Hudson died before he could be tried. Captains Fogg and Vincent were charged with having signed a paper with the other captains of the squadron, stating they would not fight, but they represented this as a device to keep Captain Kirkby from deserting; Benbow testifying in their favour, they were merely suspended.<ref name="breda" />


Benbow's leg was amputated; but a fever developed, doubtless abetted by the low conduct of his captains, and he died on 4 November 1702. Kirkby, Wade, and Constable were sent to [[Plymouth, England|Plymouth]] aboard [[HMS Bristol (1653)|HMS ''Bristol'']], where their sentences were confirmed by the [[Prince George of Denmark|Lord High Admiral]]. Kirkby and Wade were shot aboard ''Bristol'' on 16 April 1703. Fogg and Vincent were permitted to return to the service.
Benbow's leg was amputated; but a fever developed, and he died on 4 November 1702. Kirkby, Wade, and Constable were sent to [[Plymouth, England|Plymouth]] aboard [[HMS Bristol (1653)|HMS ''Bristol'']], where their sentences were confirmed by the [[Prince George of Denmark|Lord High Admiral]]. Kirkby and Wade were shot aboard ''Bristol'' on 16 April 1703. Fogg and Vincent were permitted to return to the service.


==Order of battle==
==Order of battle==


===Benbow's squadron===
===Benbow's squadron===
Benbow's squadron consisted of seven ships:<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/fleets1.htm | title=Royal Navy Fleets 1702–1718 (Archive) | accessdate=1 December 2006 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070513154033/http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/fleets1.htm |archivedate = 13 May 2007}}</ref>
Benbow's squadron consisted of seven ships:<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/fleets1.htm | title=Royal Navy Fleets 1702–1718 (Archive) | access-date=1 December 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070513154033/http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/fleets1.htm |archive-date = 13 May 2007}}</ref>
* [[HMS Breda (1692)|''Breda'']], 70, Captain [[Christopher Fogg]] (flagship)
* [[HMS Breda (1692)|''Breda'']], 70, Captain [[Christopher Fogg]] (flagship)
* [[HMS Defiance (1675)|''Defiance'']], 64, Captain [[Richard Kirkby (Royal Navy)|Richard Kirkby]]
* [[HMS Defiance (1675)|''Defiance'']], 64, Captain [[Richard Kirkby (Royal Navy)|Richard Kirkby]]
Line 57: Line 59:
* [[HMS Ruby (1652)|''Ruby'']], 48, Captain [[George Walton (Royal Navy)|George Walton]]
* [[HMS Ruby (1652)|''Ruby'']], 48, Captain [[George Walton (Royal Navy)|George Walton]]
* [[HMS Pendennis (1695)|''Pendennis'']], 48, Captain [[Thomas Hudson (captain)|Thomas Hudson]]
* [[HMS Pendennis (1695)|''Pendennis'']], 48, Captain [[Thomas Hudson (captain)|Thomas Hudson]]
* [[HMS Windsor (1695)|''Windsor'']], 48, Captain [[John Constable (captain)|John Constable]]
* [[HMS Windsor (1695)|''Windsor'']], 60, Captain [[John Constable (captain)|John Constable]]
* [[HMS Falmouth (1693)|''Falmouth'']], 48, Captain [[Samuel Vincent (captain)|Samuel Vincent]]
* [[HMS Falmouth (1693)|''Falmouth'']], 48, Captain [[Samuel Vincent (captain)|Samuel Vincent]]


===Du Casse's squadron===
===Du Casse's squadron===
* [[French ship Heureux (1691)|''Heureux'']], 70, flag of du Casse, with Captain Bennet
* [[French ship Heureux (1691)|''Heureux'']], 68, Captain Bennet (flagship)
* [[French ship Agréable (1671)|''Agréable'']], 56, Captain de Roussy
* [[French ship Agréable|''Agréable'']], 50, Captain de Roussy
* [[French ship Phénix (1693)|''Phénix'']], 50, Captain de Poudens
* [[French ship Phénix (1693)|''Phénix'']], 60, Captain de Poudens
* [[French ship Apollon (1683)|''Apollon'']], 50, Captain de Demuin
* [[French ship Apollon (1683)|''Apollon'']], 50, Captain de Demuin
* [[French ship Prince de Frise (1694)|''Prince de Frise'']], 56 Lieut. de St André
* [[French ship Prince de Frise (1694)|''Prince de Frise'']], 30, Lieut. de St André
* One [[fireship]], Cauvet
* One transport
* One transport
* Four [[sloop]]s
* Four [[sloop]]s
Line 71: Line 74:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Coord missing|Colombia}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Action of August 1702}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Action of August 1702}}

[[Category:Conflicts in 1702]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1702]]
[[Category:Naval battles of the War of the Spanish Succession]]
[[Category:Naval battles of the War of the Spanish Succession involving England]]
[[Category:Naval battles involving England]]
[[Category:Naval battles of the War of the Spanish Succession involving France]]
[[Category:Naval battles involving France]]
[[Category:Events that led to courts-martial]]
[[Category:1702 in France]]
[[Category:18th century in Colombia]]

Latest revision as of 23:52, 19 September 2024

Action of August 1702
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession

The injured Benbow continues to order the attack
Date19–25 August 1702 O.S.
Location
Off Santa Marta, New Kingdom of Granada
11°14′17″N 74°12′18″W / 11.23806°N 74.20500°W / 11.23806; -74.20500
Result Indecisive[1]
Belligerents
 England  France
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of England John Benbow (DOW) Kingdom of France Jean du Casse
Strength
7 ships of the line 4 ships of the line
1 frigate
4 sloops
1 transport
Casualties and losses
1 ship damaged 1 ship captured

The action of August 1702 was an inconclusive naval battle that took place from 19 to 25 August 1702 O.S. between an English squadron under Vice-Admiral John Benbow and a French under Admiral Jean du Casse, off Cape Santa Marta on the coast of present-day Colombia, South America, during the War of the Spanish Succession.[2] Benbow vigorously attacked the French squadron, but the refusal of most of his captains to support the action allowed du Casse to escape. Benbow lost a leg during the engagement and died of illness about two months later. Two of the captains were convicted of cowardice and shot.

Benbow's resolution to pursue the French, in what proved to be his last fight, proved irresistible to the public imagination. The events of the fight inspired a number of ballads, usually entitled Admiral Benbow or Brave Benbow, which were still favourites among British sailors more than a century later.[3]

Prelude

[edit]

Upon the outbreak of the War of the Spanish Succession, Benbow was sent to the West Indies with a small squadron, with the intention of keeping the Spanish possessions there out of the hands of the French. Du Casse was dispatched to Cartagena with a squadron to compel its allegiance to Philip V. Benbow set out to intercept them.[4]

Course of battle

[edit]

On 19 August 1702, Benbow's squadron encountered the French along the coast of Colombia, off Santa Marta, a little to the east of the mouth of the Rio Magdalena. Commanding from his flagship, the Breda, he ordered his squadron to engage, but Defiance and Windsor being astern and showing no great haste, they had to be ordered to make more sail. Benbow intended to wait for Defiance to come up; but Falmouth opened the engagement by attacking the frigate, and Windsor a ship abreast of her, at four o'clock. Breda joined in, but Defiance and Windsor broke off after a few broadsides and left the Breda under fire from the French, the battle continuing until nightfall.[5] Breda and Ruby pursued the French all night, while the rest of the squadron straggled.[6]

Pursuit continued through 20 August, with the Breda and Ruby firing chase-guns as they could. Engaging again on the morning of the 21st, Ruby was badly damaged; Defiance and Windsor refused action, though abreast of the last French ship.[6] The Greenwich had now fallen five leagues astern. On the 22nd, Breda captured the galley Anne, originally an English ship captured by the French, and the damaged Ruby was ordered to return to Port Royal.[5]

During the night of 24 August, Benbow engaged one of the enemy ships alone and had his right leg wrecked by a chain shot, returning to the quarterdeck as soon as it could be dressed. Flag-Captain Fogg ordered the other captains of the squadron to keep the line of battle;[5] in response, Captain Kirkby of Defiance came aboard and told Benbow, "You had better desist, the French are very strong." Finding the other captains largely of the same opinion, Benbow broke off and returned to Jamaica.[6]

Aftermath

[edit]

Benbow received a letter from Jean du Casse after the engagement:[4][5]

Sir,
I had little hopes on Monday last but to have supped in your cabin: but it pleased God to order it otherwise. I am thankful for it. As for those cowardly captains who deserted you, hang them, for by God they deserve it.
Yours,
Du Casse

Such was indeed his course: Benbow held courts-martial upon his captains upon their return. Captains Kirkby and Wade were found guilty of cowardice and sentenced to be shot; Wade was said to have been drunk throughout the engagement. Captain Constable was cleared of the charge of cowardice, but was convicted on other charges and cashiered. Captain Hudson died before he could be tried. Captains Fogg and Vincent were charged with having signed a paper with the other captains of the squadron, stating they would not fight, but they represented this as a device to keep Captain Kirkby from deserting; Benbow testifying in their favour, they were merely suspended.[5]

Benbow's leg was amputated; but a fever developed, and he died on 4 November 1702. Kirkby, Wade, and Constable were sent to Plymouth aboard HMS Bristol, where their sentences were confirmed by the Lord High Admiral. Kirkby and Wade were shot aboard Bristol on 16 April 1703. Fogg and Vincent were permitted to return to the service.

Order of battle

[edit]

Benbow's squadron

[edit]

Benbow's squadron consisted of seven ships:[7]

Du Casse's squadron

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Falkner, James (2015). The War of the Spanish Succession 1701-1714. Pen & Sword Military. p. 34. ISBN 9781781590317.
  2. ^ John B. Hattendorf, ed., "Benbow's Last Fight: Documents relating to the Battle of Cape Santa Marta, 19-24 August 1702," in N.A.M. Rodger, ed., Naval Miscellany, vol. 5. Publications of the Navy Records Society, vol. 125. (London: Naval Records Society, 1984), pp. 143-206.
  3. ^ "Admiral Benbow Art". Retrieved 2 December 2006.
  4. ^ a b William Henry Giles Kingston. "Chapter 12: Queen Anne". How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2006.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Information on Breda (70) (1692)". Retrieved 2 November 2006.
  6. ^ a b c "Information on Greenwich (54) (1666)". Retrieved 2 November 2006.
  7. ^ "Royal Navy Fleets 1702–1718 (Archive)". Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2006.
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