Catalog Reference

A.J.N., IV, 49
Bolzenthal, p. 262
Eimer-704
Medina-12

Morro Castle (El Morro) is the principal fort guarding the channel entrance to the harbor of Havana, Cuba. As such, it bore chief responsibility for the city's safety from seaward attack. Its role in maintaining Spain’s grasp on her Caribbean and Latin American colonies by defending Havana cannot be overestimated. The fort El Morro (more properly known as Los Tres Reyes del Morro) was constructed by Juan Bautista Antonelli in 1584. This same engineer built the Spanish forts at Chagre and Porto Bello, later captured by Admiral Vernon. Its twelve 36 pounder guns were named the Twelve Apostles.

The defense of Morro Castle was conducted under the supervision of Brigadier General Juan de Prado, governor of Havana, together with Lieutenant General Count Joseph Manso (onetime viceroy of Peru) and Brigadier Diego Tabares, governor of Cartagena. Velasco and Gonzalez led the defenders within the castle.

When Britain seized Canada from the French in 1760, Spain decided to join France and Austria against Britain, in the hopes of offsetting British influence in the New World. Aware of their decision in advance, Britain declared war on Spain first (January 2, 1762). By the end of August of that year, Britain had taken most of France's and Spain’s island colonies in the Caribbean (Betts 441).

The importance of Havana and Cuba was such that the British expedition fitted out to take the city was large for its day, numbering more than 14,000 infantry and over 200 sail. British admiral Sir George Pocock cleverly sailed his fleet along the north coast of Cuba, directed by an old Spanish map and a cooperative pirate guide, and on June 6, 1 762 appeared in Havana harbor to the surprise and shock of the defenders. Pocock swiftly landed his infantry under cover of a naval bombardment and the troops took position below the castle. Siege works were soon started and by late June, mortars had been firing shells into the fort and against its walls.

The defense of El Morro was both spirited and stubborn. It was also hopeless. Defenders Gonzalez and Velasco both fell facing their enemy, sword in hand. Young grenadier captain Vicente Manuel de Zespedes y Velasco led five separate relief efforts into the castle and on June 29 captained a sortie into the British lines that successfully spiked the siege mortars. For this action he was cited by his king. Zespedes went on to become interim governor of Cuba at Santiago and governor of East Florida. At least one of the British regiments that fought at Havana, the 54th Foot, was given HAVANA as a battle honor. Another, the 9th Foot, was one
of those captured by Gates at Saratoga in 1777.

El Morro fell on August 2, 1 762. The fortress and its city were returned to Spain the following year by the terms of the Treaty of Paris. Britain received the two Floridas in return. Ten years later, Britain returned East and West Florida to Spain and in 1789 Zespedes struck the famous Florida proclamation medal (Medina 148) that bears his name.