The failed British attempt to seize Cuba from Spain exposed the limitations of joint command and contributed to the broader failure of the War of Jenkins' Ear.
Key Facts
- Start date
- 4–5 August 1741
- End date
- 9 December 1741
- Duration
- Several months
- Landing site
- Cumberland Bay, Cuba
- Target
- Santiago de Cuba (Spanish settlement)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The War of Jenkins' Ear brought Britain and Spain into conflict over Caribbean trade rights. Following earlier operations in the war, British commanders Admiral Edward Vernon and Major-General Thomas Wentworth sought to extend pressure on Spanish holdings by targeting Cuba, a strategically significant Spanish possession in the Caribbean.
A combined British army and naval force landed at Cumberland Bay, Cuba, between 4–5 August 1741 and fortified positions around the landing site. Despite encountering no serious Spanish opposition, neither Vernon nor Wentworth felt prepared to advance on Santiago de Cuba. The expedition stalled for months, with Spanish raids and a growing sick list undermining British strength.
Facing mounting illness and harassment from Spanish forces, the British evacuated Cuba on 9 December 1741 without achieving any of their military objectives. The failure further undermined British efforts in the War of Jenkins' Ear and highlighted the dysfunction resulting from divided command between Vernon and Wentworth.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Admiral Edward Vernon, Major-General Thomas Wentworth.
Side B
1 belligerent