Bocagrande was too shallow for ocean-going ships, while Bocachica's narrow deep-water passage was guarded by forts, a boom, and Spanish ships of the line. Fort San Luis had about 49 cannon, three mortars, and a garrison of 300. British troops established a shore battery of roughly twenty 24-pounders, which breached the fort after three days of firing. Richard Lestock also led five ships against the fort at close range, but they made little impression and three were badly damaged. The comparison favors landed artillery and bomb vessels over using wooden ships of the line for that task. As the entrance fell, Lezo scuttled two ships and set Galicia on fire to obstruct the channel. British capture of Galicia before she sank left the passage open; all three wrecks might otherwise have blocked it.
Chapter · 1:33:40-1:42:10
Bocachica falls to shore artillery
Heavy guns landed ashore breached Fort San Luis, while a close naval attack disabled British warships and Spanish scuttling nearly blocked the entrance.