Battle - 1721 - March 25 - Assault on Portobelo

Ships in Action:
British Fleet

Captain Earl Berett - HMS St. George, Invincible first rate Ship of the Line

Captain Middlemore - HMS Fearless, Mercy fifth rate

Commodore Collister - HMS Longbow, Mercy fifth rate

Captain Ventura - Heavy Deliverance fifth rate

20 other British Captains

Spanish Fleet

24 Spanish Captains

Action Setup:
The night of March, 25th, 1721, was one of two port battles. With the first, at de'Lisle, having taking place only a few hours before, morale was high and spirits were soaring as Captains were called to the second battle of the night, at Portobelo. The earlier battle against the pirates off de'Lisle had been fought by a large fleet of heavy frigates and fourth rates. The assault on Portobelo, however, attracted no less than 12 British Ships of the Line. The remaining 12 British ships consisted of 7 Hercules frigates, of various class, four Mercys and a Heavy Deliverance.

Admirals Tikkas, Royan and Jones took control of the British Fleet and divided it into four divisions:

Black group - Heavy Ships of the Line

HMS St. George, Invincible first rate, Captain Earl Berett

Prince first rate, Admiral Mark Jones

Prince first rate, Admiral Ben Royan

Prince first rate

Triumphant second rate

Couronne Mastercraft second rate

White group - Ships of the Line

Valiant third rate

Valiant third rate

Valiant third rate

Valiant third rate

Valiant third rate

Mont Blanc fourth rate, Admiral Tikky

Green group - Heavy Frigates

Hercules fifth rate, Captain Jonathan Banks, of the Wolves of the Red

Hercules fifth rate, Lillian Harford

Hercules fifth rate

Hercules fifth rate

Hercules fifth rate

Hercules fifth rate

Red group - Frigates

HMS Fearless, Mercy fifth rate, Captain Middlemore

HMS Longbow, Mercy fifth rate, Commodore Collister

Mercy fifth rate, Captain Alex Delarge, of the Imperial Shipyards

Mercy fifth rate, Captain Lucie Kendall, of the Windward Squadron of the White

Heavy Hercules fifth rate, Captain Mrs Orde, of the Royal Secret Service

Heavy Deliverance fifth rate, Captain Ventura

The Action Itself:
The wind blew straight from the east as the fleet set sail from from the southeast. Green group was heading the line until they broke off and sailed ahead to scout for enemy vessels and the main line of battle was formed behind them consisting of Black group as van, White group as center and Red group as rear. Captain Alex Delarge initially took on the role as Commodore of my group; Red group. The British line sailed due north as our heavy frigates scouted for the enemy a couple thousand yards ahead. The enemy was spotted to the northwest and our line changed course and headed westwards. The Spanish fleet was noted to contain exclusively heavy fifth rates. Our enemy made use of a small island and after wearing made for the western coast of it. Our main line altered course slightly and sailed past the island on its east side. The brave frigate Captains of Green group, however, made chase and followed the enemy past the west side of the island, firing upon their rear-most ships as they passed.

After both Nation's lines cleared the island, both altered course to due west and the main battle began. What followed was two hours heavy gunfire from both sides as all ships were engaged from this point on. Our green group had become isolated after chasing the enemy rear-guard and now faced the bulk of the enemy fleet. Our Ships of the Line struggled to catch up with the enemy fleet, now running before the wind on a due westerly course. As we closed in on their fleet, Green group was surrounded by Spanish vessels and engaged the enemy at a range of roughly 200 yards. Hopelessly outgunned and outsailed, three of our heavy frigates were holed below the waterline and sank relatively quickly.

As we cleared the island on its eastern shore, our group was ordered to sail ahead to the aid of Green group. Captain Alex Delarge lost his signals officer in an unfortunate turn of events. He asked for a volunteer to take command of the group, should signalling prove a difficulty, and I stepped forward. Red group was the first from our main line to engage the enemys rear-guard. We fired bar shot at the sails, slowing the enemy's rear-most ships, and succeeded in alleviating some of the pressure on Green group. One more of our heavy frigates were lost as they attempted to disengage to the north. The two remaining Captains of Green group managed to regroup far north of the line of battle which was now a most hellish place.

Black group had caught up with the enemy's fleet and were now firing hundreds of shot a minute at the enemy. Red group was rather far forwards, still engaging the enemy. Two of our Captains, Orde and Kendall, lost their ships to concentrated Spanish fire. As the enemy began to wear and head south, we also wore, but held position and waited for Black and White groups to pass, to once again form the rear of our line.

As the enemy fleet drew away to the south, Captain Delarge notified our group of his no longer being able to lead the group, and so I took on the role of Commodore. I ordered our group to join the main line of battle where possible and engage the enemy vessels called out by the Admirals. Meanwhile Black group and White group were exchanging tremendous fire with the Spanish and they began feeling the first of their losses. Four or five Spanish ships were sunk as the enemy regrouped and sailed broadside to broadside with our majestic Ships of the Line.

Red group, down to four ships, received reinforcement in the form of Captain Banks, aboard his Hercules fifth rate, one of the two surviving Captains of Green group. Red group engaged the enemy from the rear of our line. Our main line succeeded in delivering concentrated fire to the enemy's fifth rates and sank some eleven or twelve of their number after a series of wearing maneouveurs, forcing the enemy line further and further to the south. Our Couronne Mastercraft second rate was isolated and sunk by the nimble enemy frigates and Red group was consequently called away our position at the rear of the fleet to serve as support for Black group, should the enemy try and flank them. The cannons of Red group formed part of the constant British barrage as we sailed alongside our mighty lineships.

After having sunk half their fleet, our line tacked and headed due north, to the town. Two more of their vessels were sunk as we tacked repeatedly to close in on the town. The port guns on the western side of the bay were taken out and the assault on the town was almost at hand. Red group was ordered to leave Black group and sailed alongside Captain Lillian Harford, the other survivor of Green group, and Admiral Tikky and tacked northeast to take out the eastern port defences. After destroying them the entire British fleet rendevouzed at their harbour.

As we prepared to assault the town we realised that we would have 14 minutes to enter the town, and kill the garrison, before enemy reinforcements would arrive from the inland route. The remaining ten Spanish vessels reformed to the east of our position. As the Admirals debated how best to assault the port and simultaneously cover our backs from the remaining Spanish Captains, Red group exchanged witticisms and tales of glory. Eventually the plan of action was decided upon, Black group would anchor outside the harbour and damage as many of the enemy as possible, should they try to reinforce their garrison, before coming ashore and aiding our assault, should they become outnumbered. All remaining British Captains were ordered to sharpen their wits and rapiers and follow Admiral Tikky's command ashore. I was designated surgeon, and consequently was ordered to stay a few yards behind the main line and engage the enemy with pistol shot and aid any wounded Captains.

Upon going ashore we were immediately charged by the first of what was to be nine waves of Spanish defenders. Admiral Tikky led the assault and in the course of battle recieved two severe wounds, both needing my attention. The close quarters combat was efficient on our part. The British Captains displayed superior swordsmanship, and a constant rain of supporting grenades and pistol shot kept the enemy at bay, as we pushed further and further along the streets Portobelo.

The sound of Black group's fire resounded through the streets as they fired upon the advancing enemy. The Spaniards hade decided to make a last mad dash to town to reinforce the garrison from the opposite harbour. As the enemy frigates closed, the crews of our Black group's ships poured into the town and we pushed harder into the enemy position. Several of the Spanish Captains were cut down as they attempted to force our line back towards the docks. Finally, we glimpsed the port commander, standing alongside some five Spanish Captains. The last few moments of the battle were tumultous and violent as roughly fourty men engaged in melee combat.

The final wound to the enemy port commander was delivered by myself and as he fell the Spaniards surrendered. With the enemy's reinforcements in sight merely four minutes march away from town, we hauled down the Spanish flag and raised the Union Jack.

The Result:
British Losses

Couronne Mastercraft second rate

Heavy Hercules fifth rate, Captain Mrs Orde, of the Royal Secret Service

Hercules fifth rate

Hercules fifth rate

Hercules fifth rate

Hercules fifth rate

Mercy fifth rate, Captain Lucie Kendall, of the Windward Squadron of the White

Spanish Losses

14 Heavy fifth rate frigates

Portobelo

Lessons Learned:
The Spanish always put up a good fight. Even in the face of much heavier ships, they fought bravely and succeded in catching one of our groups when it was isolated. Clear orders, everything from calling targets to executing maneouvers, won the day for the British. We brought a heavy, well-organised fleet to the battle with Captains courageous and skilled enough to control it. The assault on the port was likewise a success, and it showed the strict order is as important ashore as it is at sea.

On my part, it was my first experience of acting as Commodore. I am proud of not having lost a single ship from my group for the duration of my command, and successfully having executed all orders recieved from the Admirals. My group acted flawlessly, and so, in a sense, my task was an easy one. With two Captains from the Squadron in my division, I was sure that we could engage any enemy ship and defeat her, of that there was no doubt.

All in all, the Assault on Portobelo, simply goes to show what a well-trained Navy Britain possesses!

God save the King!

Battle schematic:


Unfortunately, my clerk was killed while drawing up the next image, and so, from this point on, I have no record of the positions of the fleets.