Battle of La Guaira
- When
- 1743
- Where
- Antigua; La Guaira; Off the coast of La Guaira
- Episodes
- 4
In March 1743, a British expeditionary fleet under Sir Charles Knowles attempted to capture the port of La Guaira but was defeated by Spanish forces. The engagement resulted in significant British casualties and the failure of the operation.
Episodes
- Spanish Defense Preparation
Spanish commanders Mateo Gual and José de Iturriaga prepared defenses in La Guaira after receiving warning of the British attack.
- Departure from Antigua
Sir Charles Knowles departed Antigua with 19 ships on 22 February 1743 to attack La Guaira.
- Expedition Failure
The British expedition ended in failure with 97 men killed and significant ship damage or loss.
- Naval Engagement at La Guaira
British forces engaged Spanish defenses off La Guaira between 2 and 5 March 1743, resulting in a British defeat.
Background and detail
Strategic Context. La Guaira served as a critical port for the Royal Gipuzkoan Company of Caracas, supporting the Spanish navy during the War of Jenkins' Ear. The British Admiralty targeted Spanish settlements, with Sir Chaloner Ogle preparing an invasion of a major commercial port on the Spanish Main.
Expedition Preparation. Sir Charles Knowles sailed from Antigua on 22 February 1743 with 19 ships. He underestimated the fortifications of La Guaira, assuming they were weaker than those of Cartagena de Indias. Meanwhile, Spanish commanders Mateo Gual and José de Iturriaga prepared defenses, having been forewarned of the British intentions.
Battle Outcome. The battle took place between 2 and 5 March 1743 off the coast of La Guaira. On 5 March, British boat parties attempted to board a French merchantman but were driven off. The expedition ended in failure, with 97 British men killed and many ships damaged or lost.
People involved
- Sir Charles Knowles · British Expeditionary Fleet Commander
- Mateo Gual · Commander of the Spanish Garrison
- José de Iturriaga · Spanish Captain
Sources
- Battle of La Guaira Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-27
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.