Wager's Action: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 15:27, 21 January 2007
Wager’s Action is a naval confrontation on June 8 1708 , between an English squadron under Charles Wager and the Spanish treasure fleet, as part of the War of Spanish Succession.
In spring 1708 Charles Wager was on an expedition in the Carribean with a squadron of four ships :
- Expedition (74) , Capitain Henry Long
- Kingston (60), Capitain Simon (Timothy) Bridge
- Portland (50), Capitain Edward Windsor
- Vulture(8), fire ship under capitain B. Crooke
In april the squadron took in supplies on the small island of Pequeña Barú , today called Isla El Rosario, just 30 miles away from Cartagena. Hereby the Spanish were aware of their presence and the governor of Cartagena send warnings to the Spanish fleet, which was anchored in Portobelo.
Nevertheless, the commander of the treasure fleet José Fernández de Santillán ,decided to sail from Portobelo to Cartagena on May 28. He couldn't wait much longer, because the hurricane season was approaching and the rest of the fleet, plus their escort under Jean Du Casse, were waiting in Havana, and threatened to leave without him.