The Cromwellian Fiasco

Anglo Spanish War 1654-1660

In 1654 Cromwell put up a force of 18 warships, 20 transport vessels and 3,000 men to rid the Caribbean of Spanish Catholics and sent Thomas Gage as chaplain and guide.  When they arrived in Barbados a month later and conscripted 6,000 escaped slaves in Barbados, Montserrat, Nevis and St Kitts, “Their aim was to secure a base of operations in the Caribbean and from there to threaten Spanish trade and treasure routes in Central America and weaken Catholic influence in the Americas. Arriving off Santo Domingo on 13 April 1655, the expedition found that it had been reported beforehand and the Spaniards were ready. In shore the English forces suffered greatly from heat and drought during their march through difficult tropical terrain. Moreover, contrary to Gage's confident prediction, the Indians fought with the Spanish had taken measures of defense. Coupled with the democratic habits of the Roundheads, the result was fiasco.”