Battle of Porto Bello

21–22 November 1739, Porto Bello, Panama

British victory; Porto Bello taken

Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon had boasted in Parliament that he could take Porto Bello, the Spanish treasure port on the Isthmus of Panama, with six ships, and he did. His squadron sailed straight into the harbour, battered the Iron Castle at its mouth at close range, and landed sailors and marines who climbed into the fort through the embrasures. The town surrendered the next day. The victory was celebrated wildly in Britain; Portobello Road in London is named after it.