Chapter 18:
Attack of Fajardo Bay

 

Although the United States would not declare war with Spain until 74 years later, at this time Spanish pirates operated unchecked in the Caribbean. Their safe haven was the Spanish Main: an area that today ranges from Nicaragua to Panama. U.S. naval vessels patrolled these waters to deter pirates from attacking American commerce. At 8 a.m. on Jan. 14, 1824, the American schooners Grampas and Beagle entered Fajardo Bay, on the east end of Puerto Rico, a Spanish possession and a pirate stronghold.

On board were 200 sailors and Marines under Captain David Porter, who tried to exact an apology for an insult given Navy Lieutenant Charles Platt and the American flag a month before. The two ships anchored opposite a steep 80-foot cliff overlooking the bay. Atop, the Spanish had erected a gabion fort—earth held by woven sticks—and had two 18-pounder bronze cannons. The ten-man battery was seen loading and aiming their guns on the Grampas. Capt. Porter ordered Marine Lieutenant Thomas Barton and his 14-man Marine guard to attack the two-gun battery, take the fort, spike the guns, and destroy the ammunition. Marines were extensively trained as replacement cannon crews for the great guns—24 and 30 pound cannons. On board U.S. frigates, if a navy cannon crew was taken out, a Marine squad would jump in and work the guns.

Barton’s Marines climbed the steep cliff and flanked the battery. Without his cover—called a shako—and armed with two pistols, Barton peered over the crest of the cliff where a fuse was lit alongside one unmanned gun. The attacking Marines were dressed in white linen overalls, single-breasted blue coats with red and yellow lace, black beaver shakos with a red plush plume, and carried 1817 Hall muskets with bayonets, pistols and cutlasses.

Over the top, Barton and his Marines took the abandoned two-gun battery. One cannon was loaded with round shot, canister consisting of grape shot, musket balls, and nails. The other cannon was partly charged. The guns were spiked by inserting a tapered file into the touch-hole and breaking off the tip. The ammunition was destroyed. After securing the battery, Barton’s men re-embarked and joined the main body of Marines and sailors who landed near the road leading to Fajardo town.

The main body of 200 men led by Lieutenant Haratio Crabbe’s 24 Marines and two drummers marched under a flag of truce towards the town. Near the town, they met the alcalde—the municipal judge and captain of the port, who offered Lt. Platt an apology and offered the men refreshments. Afraid that the Marines’ drinking would get out of control, Porter refused the offer and ordered his men to return. Back in the U.S., Porter was charged at a court martial at the Marine barracks in Washington. He was charged with committing hostile acts against Spanish subjects and disobedience of orders. Before him was arrayed the cream of the Navy.

Marine Lieutenant Thomas Barton took the stand to testify on the events at Fajardo. Porter was sentenced to six months’ suspension of his commission, and was praised at the same time by the court for his zeal in dealing with the pirates.