Action of August 1702

Action of August 1702
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession
The injured Benbow continues to order the attack
Date 19–25 August 1702 O.S. Location Off Santa Marta, New Kingdom of Granada 11°14′17″N 74°12′18″W / 11.23806°N 74.20500°W / 11.23806; -74.20500 Result Indecisive[1]
Belligerents
England	France
Commanders and leaders
John Benbow (DOW)	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

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.

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]