The history of and about Tenerife has already come a long way. Wars and battles were commonplace in the process. You could define this as the period between ‘Menceyes and Franco’. However, one battle stands out head and shoulders above the rest. Surely in terms of heroism.
Between 22 and 25 July 1797, a British squadron consisting of nine ships and 3,700 soldiers, led by Admiral Horatio Nelson, attempted to take the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and capture the fort there. From there, he and his men would then conquer the rest of Tenerife and still later the other islands. At least, that was the plan.
On the pretext of docking a frigate with goods from the east, he did not get into the port, so major resources were deployed. Admiral Horatio Nelson defended his attack, arguing that the island was insufficiently defended militarily and that the distance to Spain was too great to send reinforcements immediately. Materiel and men spoke in his favour and, moreover, the English fleet was the most important and largest in the world. This was going to be a piece of cake.
Driven warriors
General Gutierrez, commander of the Canarian forces, was a strategic genius and planned a perfect defence with the limited resources available. His experience as a soldier would play to his advantage. He had participated in seven wars and had already defeated the British twice. Once near the Falkland Islands and once at Menorca. In the battle around the port of Santa Cruz, too, he used his skill and his knowledge, but he also bet on the motivation and drive of his warriors. With success.
This act of war, known as the Gesta of 25 July 1797 is one of the most important anniversaries in the history of the Canary Islands.
The British attack on Santa Cruz fitted into a larger ambitious strategic plan. The Canary archipelago was geographically perfect to use as a stopover for the long sea voyages to America and Africa. There was no Suez Canal then, so they had to sail all the way around Africa to reach the Far East. The first objective was to gain foothold in order to fully control the area. Militarily and economically.
But it did not come to that. General Gutierrez outsmarted Admiral Nelson.
A great story, a true legend
“One hot summer day anno 1797, a frisky farmer’s daughter looked down from the Anaga Mountains and saw the English armada sailing towards the capital Santa Cruz. She hurriedly ran to the closest military garrison and notified the Canarian troops in time to repel the surprise attack.
From the fortified fortresses and from the capital’s mounted defences, the artillery troops were able to repel the fierce attack. It is told that the cannon roar of the historic cannon ‘El Tigre’ drove off the attackers. In reality, targeted artillery fire and the impact of the cannon balls were the cause. The cannon was honoured and is now on display at the ‘Museo Regional Militar’ in Santa Cruz.
After the military encounter and the descent of Admiral Nelson and his troops, General Gutierrez undertook a humane and extremely peaceful initiative. He sent Nelson and his men a letter praising the tactical attack and military action. Along with this letter, he also sent cheese and wine from the island.
Soon after, Nelson sent a letter back in tribute, and as thanks for the goods received, he had Anglo-Saxon cheese and wine delivered to the Canarian troops. Just goes to show that life is cohesive of coincidences and these coincidences can lead to an unpredictable fate. With that came a certain collegiality, a hidden sympathy between the admiral and the general, and thus also between the troops from Tenerife and England.”
As I wrote, a story that originated in the vernacular and was brought to us by lore. An oral or written relay of stories about events, situations or people, many of which one cannot verify to be historically accurate. A beautiful story nonetheless that is part of the the history of Tenerife.
The history of Tenerife ©
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