The British engineer died after directing the works against Fort San Luis. The force still contained skilled naval constructors, sailors, and carpenters, but none had his training in assessing ground and designing foundations for heavy breaching guns. No second officer or even engineer sergeant had accompanied the expedition. The loss transformed an already poor personnel decision into a crippling capability gap just as the army approached Fort San Lazaro.
Notable Point · 50:43-53:15
The only engineer dies before the decisive siege
After San Luis falls, the expedition discovers that sailors and carpenters cannot replace the sole officer trained to site heavy siege artillery safely.