Pirates & Shipwrecks · Naval raid, 1586
Drake at Cartagena
Cartagena, Colombia
What happened
On 9 to 11 February 1586, during the Anglo-Spanish War, Sir Francis Drake's English soldiers and sailors captured the Spanish port of Cartagena de Indias, in what is now Colombia. Drake's ships entered through the unfortified Boca Grande passage. The English held the city for over two months and left on 12 April 1586 with a ransom.
Why it matters
Cartagena was one of Spain's most important ports in the Americas, so its capture was a major blow to Spain.
What came next
On the voyage home Drake visited Roanoke, Sir Walter Raleigh's settlement much further north, and took the colonists back to England with him.
Did you know?
At Cartagena, according to Wikipedia's Francis Drake article, Drake released one hundred Turkish slaves.
Timeline
- 1 January 1586Drake captures Santo Domingo.
- 9 to 11 February 1586English forces capture Cartagena.
- 12 April 1586The English sail away from Cartagena.
- 6 June 1586Drake reaches Roanoke and takes the colonists home.