The following is a summary of a very important book by Nicholas Ostler Sarasti. The story is about a sea battle that changed the course of history. An English expeditionary force led by Admiral Vernon attempted to establish English control in the Caribbean. Such control would have opened the possibility of English conquest in South America and in Mexico. One of Vernon's commanders was Lawrence Washington, the older brother of Washington.
In the early 18th century, the Caribbean becomes the battleground
for Britain and Spain as both nations vie for control of lucrative
trade routes. Amid rising tensions, Britain launches an ambitious
campaign to seize the Spanish stronghold of Cartagena de Indias, a
fortified city crucial to Spain’s dominance in the New World. The
mission is led by the ambitious Admiral Edward Vernon, who
commands one of the largest fleets in British naval history,
confident in a swift victory.
However, Cartagena’s defenses rest in the hands of the legendary
Spanish admiral Don Blas de Lezo, a battle-hardened strategist
known for his unmatched tactical genius. Despite suffering severe
war injuries - leaving him with one eye, one leg, and a crippled
arm - Lezo commands his vastly outnumbered forces with unshakeable
determination. As Vernon’s fleet arrives, a Spanish spy sacrifices
a lot to uncover the British strategy.
The British bombard the city in a relentless siege, breaching
defenses and pushing the Spanish to the brink. Yet, through
cunning naval tactics, strategic fortifications, and sheer
resilience, Lezo turns the tide, luring the British into a deadly
trap. Facing devastating losses and disease-ravaged troops, Vernon
is forced into retreat - his dreams of conquest shattered.
Though victorious, Lezo pays the ultimate price, succumbing to his
injuries. His legacy, however, is cemented in history as the man
who saved Cartagena against impossible odds. The battle remains
one of the greatest underdog victories of naval warfare, a
testament to the power of strategy, sacrifice, and the enduring
spirit of those who fight for their homeland.
“A country is not lost because some attack it, but because those
who love it do not defend it”.
- Don Blas de Lezo
This book, "Lord of the Seas: The War of Jenkins' Ear," can be purchased on Amazon.
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