Horatio Nelson's Attack. Deed of 25 July 1797

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Historic sites · Year: 1797

Every city has an event, deed, character or privilege that fills it with pride. In the case of Santa Cruz, the victory against the attack of the English fleet commanded by Nelson on the city in July 1797 constitutes the most remembered and praised passage of its history. 

Since 1796, Bourbon Spain was allied with revolutionary France, both parties committing to request mutual support in case of being attacked by another power. Faced with this situation, England, seeing its interests threatened, proceeded to seize all Spanish ships anchored in British ports. Spain responded by declaring war on Great Britain. In February 1797, the English navy destroyed the Spanish fleet near Cape St. Vincent, at the southern tip of Portugal, subsequently subjecting the city of Cádiz to a formidable siege. After months of blockade, Nelson proposed to his superior, Admiral Jervis, to approach Santa Cruz where, according to his information, two ships from Manila were anchored. The objective was to obtain good booty, as well as to deliver a surprise coup and assault the main port of Tenerife.

Nelson left the bay of Cádiz on the afternoon of 15 July towards Tenerife with a squadron formed by eight warships and a Spanish bomb vessel they had just captured. In total, he had 393 cannons, commanded by officers who belonged to an elite group of Nelson's collaborators, who later distinguished themselves and held important positions in the English navy. However, in the enterprise they were about to undertake, the English did not take into account the defensive disposition of the islanders, the great military experience of the general commander of the Canary Islands, Antonio Gutiérrez, and above all, they lacked detailed knowledge of the terrain to be conquered, which ultimately proved fatal.

The squadron arrived at Punta de Anaga on the night of 21 to 22 July, without their presence having been signalled by the lookouts of the coastal watchtowers. The first landing was carried out with great difficulty due to the sea state, at the mouth of the Bufadero ravine. When the English troops under Captain Toubridge managed to set foot on land, dawn was breaking, losing the element of surprise as they were discovered. Immediately, alarm spread in Santa Cruz. The English plan consisted of advancing towards the summit of Paso Alto mountain and attacking from there the castle of the same name that defended the bay from the North, leaving free passage for the rest of the fleet to the town centre. They also intended to destroy the wooden aqueducts that supplied the city with water. But to reach the height of Paso Alto, it was first necessary to cross the Valleseco ravine. Evidently, the English were not well informed about the topography of the place. Quickly, the height was taken by a detachment of defending troops who anticipated the invaders. For greater security, General Gutiérrez ordered a second group of militiamen and island civilians to go around the Anaga summits to reach the upper part of the ravines and prevent any penetration on that flank. Both movements blocked the English on the Ramonal plateau, at the top of La Jurada mountain, seeing how the Spanish managed to position themselves at the most suitable points for defence. There was an exchange of fire, resulting in three English dead. At nightfall, Toubridge, unable to advance, ordered a retreat and his troops were re-embarked, returning to the fleet anchored out of range of the coastal artillery.

The following day, 23 July, after the failure at Bufadero, the English squadron headed south, which raised fears of a possible attack at Candelaria. That night, a Supply Board and patrols were formed in Santa Cruz, also tasked with sending documents and valuables to La Laguna. Likewise, field hospitals and supply posts for the troops were improvised.

On the morning of 24 July, the English ships positioned themselves in front of Santa Cruz and tried to deceive the islanders by anchoring their squadron again in front of Bufadero, feigning a new landing there. The stratagem was unsuccessful, despite a frigate and a bomb vessel firing on the Paso Alto castle for quite some time without causing major damage.

Around one-thirty in the early hours of 25 July, sheltered by darkness and with cloths on the oars to avoid noise, about thirty boats and the cutter Fox silently transported some 900 fully equipped Englishmen intending to carry out a direct attack on the pier. A frigate of the Compañía de Filipinas anchored there gave the alarm signal when the invaders were already very close. A group of Englishmen managed to reach the tip of the pier and disembark on it, but were quickly repelled by the defenders' fire. Captain Bowen, leader of the group that had set foot on the pier, died there. Nelson, who was travelling in one of the boats, was hit in his right arm just as he was about to land; he would soon lose it after being urgently transferred to his flagship, the Theseus .

A second group of boats was carried by the current southwards, to the beach of La Caleta where they jumped ashore. From there, under Captain Toubridge, they headed to the castle of San Cristóbal. Upon reaching the castle square, gunfire forced them to retreat. There was another attempt to reach the square, this time from above, taking a detour through the streets of La Caleta, Sol and Las Tiendas. There, the group of Englishmen captured a supply post and entrusted deputy Antonio Power, who spoke perfect English, to deliver a letter to the general commander demanding surrender; a demand that was completely rejected.

A third group of Englishmen, composed of 260 men under Captain Hood, landed further south, on the beach of La Carnicería, at the mouth of the Santos ravine. After a skirmish with the Canarias battalion, they headed inland up Noria street to the Santo Domingo convent (on the site now occupied by the Teatro Guimerá). There they joined Toubridge's group and occupied the convent, becoming surrounded by island forces. At the same time, there was a new landing attempt aimed at rescuing these now besieged troops, but it was repelled by coastal artillery.

Toubridge, seeing himself cornered inside the convent, tried again to deceive General Gutiérrez, sending him messages via friars proposing they would leave if the riches of the Philippines were handed over. In reality, the battle had been completely lost for the English hours before. Captain Hood, accompanied by a soldier with a white flag, was received by the island colonel Creagh, sergeant major of the plaza, and Captain Madan, signing the terms of surrender of the English troops at the castle of San Cristóbal. It was dawn on 25 July 1797.

It was established that the English could withdraw with their arms and embark to their ships. Prisoners would be returned by both sides. The English committed to not disturb the city or any other island of the archipelago in the slightest. The English soldiers formed ranks and marched with their arms through the castle square (today La Candelaria square) between two rows of Canarian militias and proud onlookers. They embarked at the pier in boats provided to them, carrying with them the bodies of comrades piled at the end of the pier. The wounded were treated in the city hospitals before being embarked the following day. Upon learning of the generosity shown by General Gutiérrez, Nelson ordered a letter to be written, the first he signed with his left hand, to thank him for his attentions and humanity, also sending him as a gift an English cheese and a barrel of beer. The Spanish officer courteously replied, reciprocating with some local wine. 

At dusk on Thursday 27 July 1797, the English fleet definitively left the bay of Santa Cruz. Nelson himself committed to take a report to Cádiz destined for the King of Spain with news of his defeat.

This important historical event allowed Santa Cruz to obtain the title of "Very Loyal, Noble and Unvanquished Town, Port and Plaza". Although an honorary concession, this title gave the city a prestige it still boasts today. It was the greatest military triumph in its history; and it was achieved against the most feared naval force in the world at that time: the British navy. For this deed, the city obtained its third lion's head which it still bears on its coat of arms today.

28.467957, -16.246126