Invasion of Cuba | |||||||
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Part of the War of Jenkins' Ear | |||||||
Castle of El Morro on Santiago de Cuba | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Great Britain | Spain | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Edward Vernon | Francisco de la Vega | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
4,000 regulars & militia[1] 9 ships of the line 12 frigates & other ships 40 transports & store-ships[2] |
950 regulars and militia unknown naval forces | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
3,445 killed, wounded or missing[3] |
400 killed or wounded 3 warships captured[4] |
The invasion of Cuba took place between 4–5 August and 9 December 1741 during the War of Jenkins' Ear. A combined army and naval force under the command of Admiral Edward Vernon and Major-General Thomas Wentworth arrived off Cuba and fortified positions around their landing site at Cumberland Bay. Despite facing no serious opposition, neither commander felt prepared to advance on the Spanish settlement at Santiago de Cuba. Harassed by Spanish raids and with a mounting sick list, the British finally evacuated the island after several months of inactivity.