PORTO-BELLO AND ADMIRAL VERNON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 65

PORTO-BELLO AND ADMIRAL VERNON.

On the maps of Venezuela, now being eagerly scanned by eyes never before particularly interested in the South American coasts, one may s°e the name Porto-Bello. It was froir. this town that the popular Edinburgh watering-place took iU name. A hundred and fifty years a^o one of Admiral Vernon's old 6ea-dogs built a cottage on the shores of the Firth of Forth and .-ailed it Porto-Bello, in honour of the brilliant exploit of his beloved Admiral. Other cottages clustered round, forming the nucleus of tli3 present thriving town.

The capture of the Spanish stronghold was really a very daring deed. Admiral Vernon, after much fighting in the Mediterranean and on the Spanish Main, entered Parliament, where he blustered after a fashion scarcely ti be understood in these days,, co the disgust of Walpole, the Minister whom he did not hesitate to charge with pusillanimity towards Spain. When war broke out Vernon offered to take PortoBello, the most important place on the Spanish-American coasts, with six ships of the line. It was merely a bit of bombast, but th? badgered Walpole hsld him to his word. Six ships were given him, and with six ships Vernon sailed from Spithead in July. 1739. On November 20 he arrived off Porto-Bello. On the 22nd a shattered fort and terrifkd town capitulated. The loss on the side of the British was seven men killed.

England went wild with joy ; Vernon's birthday was -ccl-brated in London Avith public illuminations; and a medal was

struck in his honour. Reinforcements were sent out, and with a squadron of 28 sail Vernon set about attacking Carthagena. He did take that place, but at a frightful cost, and with forces thinned by death and disease the Admiral retired to Jamaica. Smollett tells that sad story in "Roderick Random,"' a story almost forgotten now. In 1745, when Prince Charlie and his Highlanders were marching towards London, Vernon was put in command of the fleet in the Downs. Far away_on the Lothian shore the old sailor heard the report of that appointment. H« ordered a stoup of whisky, and drank to the health of his old commander. s "All's oop wi' Charlie," he said', "since Vernon's on the sea. If ye be doubting it, remember the name of the roof-tree o' my cottage, and what that signifies. Did never ye hear o' Porto-Bello? " Prince Charlie was indeed routed, but not by Vernon. And, oddly enough, the greatest victory he and his Highlanders ever won was at Preston Pans, within sight of the roof-tree of the cottage, Porto-Bello.