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Disaster on the Spanish Main: The Tragic British-American Expedition to the West Indies during the War of Jenkins' Ear
2023 Silver Medal in History from the Military Writers Society of America
Disaster on the Spanish Main unveils and illuminates an overlooked yet remarkable episode of European and American military history and a land-sea venture to seize control of the Spanish West Indies that ended in ghastly failure. Thirty-four years before the Battles of Lexington and Concord, a significant force of American soldiers deployed overseas for the first time in history. Colonial volunteers, 4,000 strong, joined 9,000 British soldiers and 15,000 British sailors in a bold amphibious campaign against the key port of Cartagena de Indias. From its first chapter, Disaster on the Spanish Main reveals a virtually unknown adventure, engrosses with the escalating conflict, and leaves the reader with an appreciation for the struggles and sacrifices of the 13,000 soldiers, sailors, and marines who died trying to conquer part of Spain’s New World empire.
Disaster on the Spanish Main breaks new ground on the West Indies expedition in style, scope, and perspective and uncovers the largely untold American side of the story.
Disaster on the Spanish Main unveils and illuminates an overlooked yet remarkable episode of European and American military history and a land-sea venture to seize control of the Spanish West Indies that ended in ghastly failure. Thirty-four years before the Battles of Lexington and Concord, a significant force of American soldiers deployed overseas for the first time in history. Colonial volunteers, 4,000 strong, joined 9,000 British soldiers and 15,000 British sailors in a bold amphibious campaign against the key port of Cartagena de Indias. From its first chapter, Disaster on the Spanish Main reveals a virtually unknown adventure, engrosses with the escalating conflict, and leaves the reader with an appreciation for the struggles and sacrifices of the 13,000 soldiers, sailors, and marines who died trying to conquer part of Spain’s New World empire.
Disaster on the Spanish Main breaks new ground on the West Indies expedition in style, scope, and perspective and uncovers the largely untold American side of the story.
- GenresHistory
426 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 9, 2021
To the Walpole Government in London, the idea was so simple- in order to punish the Spanish Empire for the surly behaviour of their Navy and Privateers in the Caribbean, the Royal Navy and British Army would cooperate to take the port of Cartagena in what is now in Columbia. In the early 1740s, in the wonderfully named "War of Jenkin's Ear", there was to be an expedition and the whole Empire was to take part. The British Army would provide a few regiments, the Navy would send the best ships they could spare from the Home Fleet, and there would be a brigade sized regiment from the American Colonies- "Marines" who would take part in the expedition- and share in the expected prize money. It sounded simple and lucrative- and Craig S Chapman, a noted American author on Military topics tells us how it all went awry- as inter service wrangling, diverging ideas on the campaign, challenging logistics, a stronger than expected Spanish response and most importantly diseases, among them yellow fever and malaria- served to blunt this supposed feat of arms. It was difficult enough to attempt amphibious warfare in the age of wooden ships and iron men, knowing as we do today the close cooperation required between all services in these operation. In the face of the tropics and Admirals and Generals fighting each other more than the Spanish it proved to be well nigh impossible- at enormous cost.
Chapman makes it into a tick-tock of the whole campaign and war. We bounce between sides and locations as the expedition moves around the Caribbean, and the "War of Jenkin's Ear" becomes a part of the Silesian War/War of Austrian Succession- Frederick the Great's first European power grab. The campaign develops, new players enter the picture as the French become involved, and the Admirals and Generals bicker. Successes for the expedition are never enough- the American militia turned marines, as the lowest status service members- get overworked and abused at every turn- and poor 18th century hygiene and medicine make sure that the losses mount really alarmingly. Chapman is there as a Military veteran to point out the faults after each episode , so the reader understands the constant drumbeat of failures and mistakes that make this one of the costliest military expeditions in British Imperial History. It's a prime example of car-crash history- where our author takes us through a disaster, step by onerous step until we thoroughly comprehend all the challenges and all the mistakes. The British Admiral Vernon comes off as a real friction point in this process, but no character comes off unscathed. It's a very comprehensive job of sifting through this compelling mess.
There are many adult themes and some graphic disease descriptions that make this best for a Junior reader over about 12/13 years, but Chapmans's direct style will educate. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, this is a really interesting resource. The Gamer gets a really game ready campaign/scenario, relatively limited forces, both in ships and men. The two brigade and field and siege artillery size of the land force is almost perfect for skirmish size- and replaying the campaign without disease, or command dissension could be very interesting- with or without the French involved. The Modeler gets an interesting subject for Tricorne era dioramas away from Northern Europe, with strong American content-one of the American officers is a Washington(notice the name of their plantation?), But it is the Military enthusiast, as so often who gets the most out of this book- a close step by step account of a too oft forgotten campaign with all the issues and faults laid bare. As a history of Colonial Warfare, Amphibious Operations, Wooden ship warfare, early American Colonial campaigning, Siege Warfare, and Medical misadventures Chapman has fashioned a narrative that captures the attention of the general reader as well as the Military History Buff. A good, if harrowing read.
Chapman makes it into a tick-tock of the whole campaign and war. We bounce between sides and locations as the expedition moves around the Caribbean, and the "War of Jenkin's Ear" becomes a part of the Silesian War/War of Austrian Succession- Frederick the Great's first European power grab. The campaign develops, new players enter the picture as the French become involved, and the Admirals and Generals bicker. Successes for the expedition are never enough- the American militia turned marines, as the lowest status service members- get overworked and abused at every turn- and poor 18th century hygiene and medicine make sure that the losses mount really alarmingly. Chapman is there as a Military veteran to point out the faults after each episode , so the reader understands the constant drumbeat of failures and mistakes that make this one of the costliest military expeditions in British Imperial History. It's a prime example of car-crash history- where our author takes us through a disaster, step by onerous step until we thoroughly comprehend all the challenges and all the mistakes. The British Admiral Vernon comes off as a real friction point in this process, but no character comes off unscathed. It's a very comprehensive job of sifting through this compelling mess.
There are many adult themes and some graphic disease descriptions that make this best for a Junior reader over about 12/13 years, but Chapmans's direct style will educate. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, this is a really interesting resource. The Gamer gets a really game ready campaign/scenario, relatively limited forces, both in ships and men. The two brigade and field and siege artillery size of the land force is almost perfect for skirmish size- and replaying the campaign without disease, or command dissension could be very interesting- with or without the French involved. The Modeler gets an interesting subject for Tricorne era dioramas away from Northern Europe, with strong American content-one of the American officers is a Washington(notice the name of their plantation?), But it is the Military enthusiast, as so often who gets the most out of this book- a close step by step account of a too oft forgotten campaign with all the issues and faults laid bare. As a history of Colonial Warfare, Amphibious Operations, Wooden ship warfare, early American Colonial campaigning, Siege Warfare, and Medical misadventures Chapman has fashioned a narrative that captures the attention of the general reader as well as the Military History Buff. A good, if harrowing read.
October 3, 2021
This review comes from the perspective of an avid reader who generally prefers literary fiction, usually historical fiction. But, with any well-written novel relating to historic events, questions arise for the reader: How much of this is true? Did these characters really exist? What actually happened? The search for answers to these questions leads to personal research that goes beyond Wikipedia…and the pursuit of memoirs and/or scholarly nonfiction accounts that will reveal the real truth about historic events.
One of the factors that initially drew my interest in this book is the setting. When most of us think about the Caribbean and West Indies today, we imagine ourselves blissfully sipping rummy drinks on sunny beaches, charmed by the Spanish, British, and French cultural influences. We do not comprehend the horrific events that occurred two and a half centuries before.
This book provides a comprehensive account of a short time period in the history of the area detailing how competing interests in the West Indies led to a dreadful war and incredible loss of life. The researcher and author, Craig Chapman, sets the stage in the Prologue with this question, “How did an American colonist come to die fighting aboard a British warship off the Spanish Main while serving in the British Army during an obscure war with a ridiculous name?”
He begins by establishing the context, reviewing the political conflicts and economics of the time, climatic challenges, and threats to health from disease and malnutrition. What follows is a chronological account of events from each point-of-view: British, Spanish, French, and American colonists. Each encounter and battle is developed in depth, complete with well-placed maps (many created by the author) to assist the reader in following military movements and strategies. A glossary at the back of the book is also an aid to those unfamiliar with the terminology.
My compliments to the author for keeping this reader engaged and entertained. While the many elements are complex, the story is told with easy readability. With clear, concise writing, the author includes excellent descriptions of armaments, warships, mutiny, epidemics, and many ironic and compelling back stories. He weaves in components that constitute good writing (fiction and nonfiction) - foreshadowing, intrigue, anticipation, deception, and drama. That said, I want to assure the history nerds out there, you sticklers for fact, that this is a scholarly account of events as they actually occurred. This book is clearly the result of masterful research (it must have been a huge task to create this book). It is thorough, yet not overwhelming, and gives a detailed, behind-the-scenes look that you don’t usually get from fiction.
In short, this book is a very interesting chronicle (even for those who prefer fiction!) of a little-known and overlooked time in history. Readers will learn why this conflict became known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear and have a peak at what likely became the seeds of the American revolution. What can we learn from this account of one “small" event in history? Cooperation is key to the success of any endeavor. The lack thereof can result in terrible loss.
One of the factors that initially drew my interest in this book is the setting. When most of us think about the Caribbean and West Indies today, we imagine ourselves blissfully sipping rummy drinks on sunny beaches, charmed by the Spanish, British, and French cultural influences. We do not comprehend the horrific events that occurred two and a half centuries before.
This book provides a comprehensive account of a short time period in the history of the area detailing how competing interests in the West Indies led to a dreadful war and incredible loss of life. The researcher and author, Craig Chapman, sets the stage in the Prologue with this question, “How did an American colonist come to die fighting aboard a British warship off the Spanish Main while serving in the British Army during an obscure war with a ridiculous name?”
He begins by establishing the context, reviewing the political conflicts and economics of the time, climatic challenges, and threats to health from disease and malnutrition. What follows is a chronological account of events from each point-of-view: British, Spanish, French, and American colonists. Each encounter and battle is developed in depth, complete with well-placed maps (many created by the author) to assist the reader in following military movements and strategies. A glossary at the back of the book is also an aid to those unfamiliar with the terminology.
My compliments to the author for keeping this reader engaged and entertained. While the many elements are complex, the story is told with easy readability. With clear, concise writing, the author includes excellent descriptions of armaments, warships, mutiny, epidemics, and many ironic and compelling back stories. He weaves in components that constitute good writing (fiction and nonfiction) - foreshadowing, intrigue, anticipation, deception, and drama. That said, I want to assure the history nerds out there, you sticklers for fact, that this is a scholarly account of events as they actually occurred. This book is clearly the result of masterful research (it must have been a huge task to create this book). It is thorough, yet not overwhelming, and gives a detailed, behind-the-scenes look that you don’t usually get from fiction.
In short, this book is a very interesting chronicle (even for those who prefer fiction!) of a little-known and overlooked time in history. Readers will learn why this conflict became known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear and have a peak at what likely became the seeds of the American revolution. What can we learn from this account of one “small" event in history? Cooperation is key to the success of any endeavor. The lack thereof can result in terrible loss.
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February 20, 2023MWSA Review
Disaster on the Spanish Main: The Tragic British-American Expedition to the West Indies during the War of Jenkin’s Ear is written by Craig S. Chapman and is a historical recounting of Britain’s ill-conceived and poorly executed attack on the Spanish Main. The book is well-researched and contains enough footnotes and charts to please the most enthusiastic history reader.
The book is comparable in many ways to similar books, both fiction and nonfiction, written by better known authors who write about the British Navy of the Georgian Period.
Author Chapman goes into great detail regarding the underlying conflict between Army General, Major General Thomas Wentworth, who was in charge of the British Land Forces, and Vice Admiral of the Blue, Edward Vernon, who was in charge of the Royal Navy Forces. Each needed the other to achieve their professional and personal objectives, and yet neither one could tolerate the other or work cooperatively to the desired goal, the subrogation of the Spanish Main. The only thing that the two officers appeared to have in common, was their total disdain for the American Colonials, which had been brought into the Royal Army at the direction of King George II. In addition to the primary conflict between Wentworth and Vernon, the author also discussed in some detail the secondary conflict on the Spanish side between Vice Admiral Blas de Lezo and Viceroy Eslava of Cartagena, which had its own negative impact on the defensive side of the war.
Chapman’s book is long, but reads quickly. Thanks to an enthusiastic writing style, the reader will move quickly through the material. The work is heavily footnoted, but is written in such a manner as to allow the reader to push on with the reading and come back to review the footnotes at their leisure. Sourcing and the extensive Bibliography are on par with what a reader would expect from a book of this nature.
Review by Larry Sharrar (February 2023)
Disaster on the Spanish Main: The Tragic British-American Expedition to the West Indies during the War of Jenkin’s Ear is written by Craig S. Chapman and is a historical recounting of Britain’s ill-conceived and poorly executed attack on the Spanish Main. The book is well-researched and contains enough footnotes and charts to please the most enthusiastic history reader.
The book is comparable in many ways to similar books, both fiction and nonfiction, written by better known authors who write about the British Navy of the Georgian Period.
Author Chapman goes into great detail regarding the underlying conflict between Army General, Major General Thomas Wentworth, who was in charge of the British Land Forces, and Vice Admiral of the Blue, Edward Vernon, who was in charge of the Royal Navy Forces. Each needed the other to achieve their professional and personal objectives, and yet neither one could tolerate the other or work cooperatively to the desired goal, the subrogation of the Spanish Main. The only thing that the two officers appeared to have in common, was their total disdain for the American Colonials, which had been brought into the Royal Army at the direction of King George II. In addition to the primary conflict between Wentworth and Vernon, the author also discussed in some detail the secondary conflict on the Spanish side between Vice Admiral Blas de Lezo and Viceroy Eslava of Cartagena, which had its own negative impact on the defensive side of the war.
Chapman’s book is long, but reads quickly. Thanks to an enthusiastic writing style, the reader will move quickly through the material. The work is heavily footnoted, but is written in such a manner as to allow the reader to push on with the reading and come back to review the footnotes at their leisure. Sourcing and the extensive Bibliography are on par with what a reader would expect from a book of this nature.
Review by Larry Sharrar (February 2023)
October 4, 2021
Craig Chapman’s Disaster on the Spanish Main chronicles a little-known incident in the history of the Americas―England’s tragic foray into Cartagena during the War of Jenkins Ear. The war was a debacle for the British and resulted in one of the greatest losses of American lives in warfare.
What separates this book from others is Chapman’s novelistic style; he puts the reader on the deck of the ship, where tang of salt is in the air and one’s eyes burn from the smoke and ears ring when the cannons roar. The author does not give us dry recounting of past events on a yellowed page, but makes history accessible to all. Lest his style imply a lack of historical rigor, Chapman’s copious citations attest to the thoroughness of his research of both English and Spanish sources. Everything is told in meticulous detail, from the political machinations at home to the details of the military operations in the Caribbean. There is something for everyone here, whether a student of history, or a casual reader.
What separates this book from others is Chapman’s novelistic style; he puts the reader on the deck of the ship, where tang of salt is in the air and one’s eyes burn from the smoke and ears ring when the cannons roar. The author does not give us dry recounting of past events on a yellowed page, but makes history accessible to all. Lest his style imply a lack of historical rigor, Chapman’s copious citations attest to the thoroughness of his research of both English and Spanish sources. Everything is told in meticulous detail, from the political machinations at home to the details of the military operations in the Caribbean. There is something for everyone here, whether a student of history, or a casual reader.
October 4, 2021
This book is extremely well-researched and written, providing an engrossing account of The War of Jenkin's Ear, which was the American Colonist's first off-shore military engagement. The book recounts the British and Spanish struggles to capture and control the New-World wealth both nations needed to bolster their geopolitical fortunes. Craig Chapman does a masterful job of interweaving political machinations, military maneuverings, and personal profiles into a narrative that is both an important historical record and a fascinating adventure. I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in military and naval history.
October 4, 2021
Author Craig Chapman’s “Disaster on the Spanish Main” is the product of extensive and pain-staking research into a previously little known West Indies naval/land war involving the British navy and American colonist volunteers thirty-four years before the 1775 Concord and Lexington battles.
Each chapter could be a stand-alone discussion topic for any American history class.
The book is exceptionally easy to read in spite of the extensive details.
Each chapter could be a stand-alone discussion topic for any American history class.
The book is exceptionally easy to read in spite of the extensive details.
October 2, 2021
History classes do not tell this story in any detail. This well written, detailed, descriptive book has opened my eyes to a time of great conflict between super powers in the West Indies. Spanish, British and American naval, soldiers and colonial volunteers were subjected to both battles and disease. So much loss for all.
October 5, 2021
This is a very good book. The author not only provides details on the military operations associated with the War of Jenkins Ear, but he provides clarity on the political-diplomatic maneuvering behind the war. The book is based on British and Spanish archives as well as memoirs. I strongly recommend the book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews