Early in 1743, an impression upon some part of the continent of
South America being resolved on, the conduct of these operations
was entrusted to Captain Knowles, of the Navy, having on board his
squadron four hundred of the regiment of Dalzell, and about six
hundred Marines. They were first ordered to rendezvous at Antigua,
from which island they sailed upon the 12th of February, with a
view upon La Guira, a town in the district of the Caraccas, in
Terra Firma. The attack against it was commenced on the 18th, but
owing to a very heavy swell, the men of war could not approach
the shore, and in consequence, the troops were not landed.--After
a very heavy cannonade, which was only ended by the night, the
ships withdrew from the combat. The town suffered extremely, many
breaches were made in the fortifications, and the enemy sustained a
loss of more than seven hundred men.
The Spaniards behaved well, as the squadron suffered very
considerable damages, besides having nearly four hundred killed and
wounded.
It proceeded to Curaccoa to refit, where they prepared for another
attempt upon the sea-coast of Terra Firma. Having been reinforced
by some Dutch Volunteers, Commodore Knowles sailed from this island
upon the 20th of March, and shaped a course for Porto Cavallo,
where there was a respectable force, and a town in the best state
of defence.
Owing to strong lee currents, it was not until the 15th of April
that the ships anchored under the keys of Barbarat, to the
eastward of the place. Having reconnoitred the different points
of opposition, which were every where formidable, two ships were
ordered upon the 16th of April against Ponta Brava, to commence
upon it a flanking fire, which its low situation, and the
injudicious construction of the works, evidently permitted.
After they were silenced, it was agreed to land the troops of
every description, in order to take possession, and to turn the
guns against the Castle; their retreat being secured by a man of
war within pistol shot of the shore.--By sunset the ships had
accomplished their object, and by dark a force of twelve hundred
sailors, soldiers, and Dutch Volunteers were disembarked under the
command of Major Lucas.
About eleven at night the Van gained one of the fascine batteries
upon Ponta Brava, when a Spanish centinel discharged his musquet,
and gave a general alarm.
Two guns being fired from the other battery, which was the next for
capture, put into an unaccountable confusion nearly the whole of
this mixed detachment, when under the influence of a panic they
retreated to the ships with precipitation.
Upon the 21st it was resolved to wipe away the disgrace of the late
miscarriage, by an attack of the squadron and forces against the
Castle and fascine batteries.--Four ships were destined to batter
the former upon the 24th, while three others were placed against
the latter. The cannonading began at eleven on the noon of that
day, and was maintained with a mutual obstinacy till nine at night,
when after a short interval the firing was renewed. Some of the
ships having now expended all their ammunition, and others being
damaged, they were ordered to slip, and to anchor without the reach
of the enemy's shot.
This attack being fruitless in its object, which was to land the
troops, and fatal in its consequences, by a loss of more than two
hundred men, it was now deemed impracticable to push any farther
enterprize, and upon the 28th, in a general consultation, it was
resolved to return to Jamaica.
The extended operations of our fleets in other quarters being
marked with no events in which his Majesty's Marine forces were
particularly called forth, no farther details connected with my
narrative appear within the annals of 1743.