The oddly named conflict that inspired an American landmark.
Admiral Vernon was known as “Old Grog” because he wore a grogram (gross-grain) cloak in stormy weather. After he diluted his sailors’ rum ration with water, the disgruntled seamen named the watered-down drink after their commander: grog
No war in history has a more striking title than the War of Jenkins’ Ear. Robert Jenkins was a British sea captain whose ship was boarded by the Spanish Coast Guard in the Caribbean. According to Jenkins, the Spanish captain tied him up and cut off his ear with a sword. He was so angry that he brought the severed ear to Parliament, prompting the prime minister to declare war on Spain.
Actually, things were a little more complicated than that. Jenkins didn’t exhibit his ear to Parliament until seven years after he said it was cut off. Some people wondered aloud if that shriveled thing in the box really was his severed ear. Critics claimed he had lost his ear in a bar fight, and that the whole thing was a political stunt designed to force a war the prime minister didn’t really want.
Whatever the truth, the alleged brutality inflamed public opinion. England was enraged, and war was waged.
The British hero of this war was Admiral Edward Vernon. Today we remember him less for his exploits, perhaps, than for what he inspired.
One of his officers was a young colonial who owned a farm in Virginia called the Little Hunting Plantation. Lawrence Washington was so impressed with his superior officer that he renamed the farm in Vernon’s honor. When Lawrence died a few years later, his younger half brother George inherited the place.
Mount Vernon. Home of President George Washington. And America’s only monument to the War of Jenkins’ Ear.
“I COMMENDED MY SOUL TO GOD, AND MY CAUSE TO MY COUNTRY.”
— JENKINS’ STIRRING DESCRIPTION OF HOW HE REACTED TO HAVING HIS EAR CUT OFF
Vernon achieved fame for his attack on the Spanish colonial town of Porto Bello, now a part of Panama. He attacked with just six men-of-war and emerged victorious. Londoners are reminded of the battle (or should be) when they go shopping on tony Porto-bello Road.