Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
learned from Spanish captives that the whole operation had been
bungled (thanks to incompetent leadership of the land forces, as we
now know) and that the British army, more than halved by fever,
had given up and gone home over a year before. Anson's three ships
were, thus, all alone and the commodore was faced with the pro-
spect which had confronted Drake over a century and a half before:
he had to inflict as much damage on the Spanish empire as possible
and then return home, either by going back or by going on.
Another similarity between Anson and El Draco was the terror
both men inspired along the Pacific seaboard. Anyone who success-
fully braved the terrors of the Horn had to be in league with the devil.
How could mere men survive against those who had spat in the face
of death? Wildly exaggerated tales of the Englishmen's exploits flew
before them along the coast of Chile and Peru. Merchant vessels yiel-
ded almost without a struggle. The Chilean town of Payta put up no
resistance and, over three days, was systematically and unhurriedly
looted. By the time Anson's convoy reached the Mexican coast it con-
sisted of five vessels of which three were Spanish prizes (the
Tryall
had by now been scuttled). All were laden with food, wine, livestock,
naval supplies and an assortment of merchandise, including a large
amount of bullion. But the best was yet to come.
Anson hoped to emulate his illustrious predecessor in yet an-
other way; by capturing a treasure galleon off the Mexican coast. It
was not to be. The vessel he stalked, outward bound for Manila, took
refuge in Acapulco harbour and stayed there till the sailing season
was so well advanced that Anson had to make haste and embark on
the Pacific crossing. It was Hobson's choice. His ships were in no fit
state to face Cape Horn again. Furthermore, his orders were to go on
and invest Manila. Anson knew that with his depleted force he could
achieve little in the Philippines but he also knew what happened to
commanders who wilfully deviated from their instructions. He had
no intention of ending up, like other 'failed' captains, removed from
