5 of 8 August 2024 The 1805 Dispatches #24.04 This is how the Spanish refer to the defeat of the Royal Navy at Tenerife in 1797 – the aattack on Santa Cruz at which Nelson suffered the injury that caused him to lose his right arm. It is celebrated by the Spanish every year with a recreation of the battle in the place that it happened. They are very entitled to call it a heroic deed, in defence of their island, and are congratulated on their victory and the humanity they showed to their vanqushed foe after the fighting had ceased. LA RECREACIÓN DE LA GESTA DEL 25 DE JULIO DE 1797 (THE HEROIC DEED OF 25 JULY 1797) The re-enactment (as we would call it) takes place over four days, with a procession through the old town of Santa Cruz, followed next day by disembarkation of the English troops and battle against them in the Black Castle. On the third day is another battle between Spanish and English troops, and on the final day is a presentation of medals and a staging of the English capitulation. Here are some photographs of this year’s celebrations, sent to us by Club Vice President Agustín Guimerá, together with one or two dramatic ones that he sent from last year’s recreation. If time permits, we hope that Agustín will send an article for use in The Kedge Anchor, giving more details. For more information, go to: https://lagesta1797.es (Centre photo below: Agustín is the one who is not in uniform) Agustín also sent us this text describing the event and this year’s recreation: “In 2008 was founded an association for the civil knowledge of the history of the failed attack of rear admiral Horatio Nelson to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 22-25 July 1797. It has around 70 people and it is recreating the military event in the city each year, with accurate uniforms, weapons, flags and musical instruments. Organisers of the event also cooperate with civil and military institutions, and schools, on this cultural objective. The military units involved on this event are: British Royal Marines and Seamen; Spanish Artillery, Infantry and Provincial Militias; French Seamen of the corbet “La Mutine”; and Canary peasants.”
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