"When reading about the Royal Navy in the 19th Century one never ceases to be amazed by the degree of autonomy accorded to ships' commanders, even of relatively junior rank, and the willingness of both Admiralty and Government to back their actions. I've come across one such case recently, one which is so extreme and so dramatic that a novelist would hesitate to invent it. I found a mention in a book from the early 1900s entitled "Our Sailors – Gallant Deeds of the British Navy during Victoria's Reign" by W.H.G. Kingston. I've been unable to do much cross-referencing with other sources – perhaps some reader might know more – but the story is worth recounting.
In the aftermath of the Wars of Liberation from Spanish rule in the early 19th Century, the successor republics were locked in an almost endless series of, revolts, revolutions and civil wars. Many of the borders were significantly different than those of today, perhaps the most notable being those of "New Granada", which lasted from 1831 to 1858. This republic had modern Colombia as its core, but also areas which are today parts of Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. (The latter broke away from Colombia, with US support, as late as 1903). From 1839 to 1841 New Granada was engulfed in a conflict known as "The War of the Supremes" (In Spanish: "Guerra de los Supremos"), in which various regional leaders, essentially warlords, vied to gain power.
On February 6th 1841 two British merchant vessels, the brig Jane and Sara, and a sloop, Little William, were lying at, a small harbour on the Gulf of Morrosquillo, near El Zapote, some 65 miles south of Cartagena. A small flotilla of ships arrived which were in the service of one of the contending warlords, a General Carmona. The British ships were looted and the passengers – including a Colonel Gregg – and the crews were taken ashore and …"
Full article here
link
Amicalement
Armand
