Action of August 1702
Naval battle off coast of Colombia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
Action of August 1702 | |||||||
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Part of the War of the Spanish Succession | |||||||
The injured Benbow continues to order the attack | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of England | Kingdom of France | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
John Benbow | 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 |
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]