Battle of La Guaira

The Battle of La Guaira or La Guayra, took place on 2 March 1743 in the Caribbean, off the coast of La Guaira, present day Venezuela. La Guaira was a port of the Royal Gipuzkoan Company of Caracas, whose ships had rendered great assistance to the Spanish navy during War of Jenkins' Ear in carrying troops, arms, stores and ammunition from Spain to her colonies, and its destruction would be a severe blow both to the Company and the Spanish Government. A British expeditionary fleet under Sir Charles Knowles was defeated, and the expedition ended in failure. 600 men were killed, among whom was the captain of HMS Burford, and many of the ships were badly damaged or lost. Knowles was therefore unable to proceed to Puerto Cabello until he had refitted.

Not to be confused with the Battle of La Guaira in 1812.
Battle of La Guaira
Part of the War of Jenkins' Ear

Engraving of the attack by the British fleet on La Guayra (1743)
Date2 March 1743
Location
La Guaira, Viceroyalty of New Granada present-day Venezuela
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
 Great Britain Spain
Commanders and leaders
Charles Knowles
Chaloner Ogle		 Gabriel de Zuloaga
Mateo Gual
José de Iturriaga
Strength
Land:
2,400
Sea:
8 ships of line
9 frigates, bomb vessels and fireships,
2 transports		 1,000
Casualties and losses
~600 killed
~1,300 total		 300 killed or wounded
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