Cartagena: blockade strategy and Rowley's ship handling

Henry Osborn's blockade at Cartagena kept French forces in Europe rather than allowing them to reinforce operations around Louisbourg and Nova Scotia. A detached British group intercepted the reinforcement squadron before it could strengthen the blockaded French fleet. Rowley's Montagu pursued one opponent, then shifted promptly to support Arthur Gardiner's fight after driving another ashore. Gardiner was killed, leaving Rowley to direct much of the British action, while reports praised both his ship handling and the morale of a crew accustomed to following him between commands.