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Ok, this worked. It got your attention.

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Year 1741

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At that time, the situation in the world was quite different as it is now. The power was not in United States or China. Spain was pretty much ruling the world although England was also right there.

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Now, take a look at this ugly guy:

Anything? Any idea who that is? No one has ever told you his story? Look at his eye! What´s wrong with the guy? He definitely looks tough.

Ok, fine...

Welcome to the Curious Case of Blas de Lezo

He was born in North Spain, in Guipuzcoa on the 3rd of February of 1689. He is considered the best strategist from the Spanish Armada and he was famous for his look. He had many injuries in the War of Spanish Succession and the defense of the French naval base of Toulon. As a result of two battles he lost a leg, amputated under the knee and he also lost his left eye. Later on in the Siege of Barcelona, his right arm was paralyzed.

It is not a surprise that his legend increased as he survived more and more battles. People started calling him “Patapalo” Pegleg or “Mediohombre” Half-man.

In 1716, already as a captain, he sailed to La Habana with the mission to protect the Spanish merchant ships. After a couple of years he went back to Cádiz, Spain where he took ownership of the Lanfranco, a very big ship with sixty two cannons.

He defeated and captured the English pirate John Clipperton and after some years he became General of the Armada. In 1725 he sailed again to fight against contraband and defeated five Netherlands ships with more canons than his ships and months later he owned six English war ships and added the ships to his fleet.

In 1732, he joined an expedition to Oran. The objective was to take it back as it was Spanish until 1709. It was a matter of prestige to take it back and show the world the regenerated Spanish maritime power.

On the 29th of June, he and twenty six thousand with thirty Spanish ships conquered the city and chased the runaways boats for months after.

After defending Oran for a couple of months he got sick and had to return to Cádiz for recovery.

In 1734 the king made him Lieutenant General of the Navy. Three years later he went back to South America as the General Commander of the Spanish fleet and he stationed at Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia. Who would have said that this location would make him immortal and forever remembered.

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Meanwhile

In England, this other guy, not as ugly as Blas de Lezo, was also winning battles and being promoted. The war was declared against Spain in 1739 and not long after that, Admiral Vernon captured Porto Bello (Panama). This was much celebrated and commemorative medals were made.

On March 13-May 20, 1741

Admiral Vernon and 27.000 British men sailed on 124 ships to Cartagena de Indias. They had 2.620 artillery pieces, 10.000 were soldiers, 12.600 sailors, 1000 slaves from Jamaica and another 4.000 men from Virginia led by Lawrence Washington, the brother of George Washington.

Blas de Lezo had just 3.000 men and six Spanish Warships.

The British started the assault to el “Castillo San Felipe de Barajas” but after some time and 4.500 death men, six ships lost and twenty very damaged they had to retreat.

The Defeat of Britain allowed Spain to rule the region for a couple of decades more and back in England, they were so sure they were destroying the six ships of Blas de Lezo that they even produced medals and coins to celebrate the victory. In the coins you could read, “The pride of Spain humbled by Vernon”

I wonder why there is no a big Hollywood movie about this story ☺

Image Credits: 1 2 3 4 5