On the 15th of April the ships anchored to the eastward of the town, and on the 16th two vessels commenced a flanking fire against Ponta Brava; and after the batteries were silenced, it was decided to land the troops in order to take possession, and to turn the guns against the castle, their retreat being secured by a ship of war within pistol-shot, of the shore: by sunset the ships had accomplished their object, and by dusk a force of 1200 sailors, soldiers, and Dutch volunteers, was disembarked under the command of Major Lucas.
About eleven at night the van had gained one of the fascine batteries upon Ponta Brava, but the garrison having been alarmed, and being prepared for resistance, this mixed detachment acted under the influence of a panic, and retreated with precipitation to the ships. On the 21st it was resolved to make another attack of the squadron and forces against the castle and fascine batteries: four ships were destined to batter the former on the 24th, while three others were placed against the latter. The cannonading began at eleven on the noon of that day, and was maintained with mutual obstinacy till night, when, some of the ships having expended their ammunition, and others being damaged, they were ordered to anchor beyond reach of the enemy’s shot. This attack being fruitless, and the troops being prevented from landing, it was deemed impracticable to push the enterprise any further: it was accordingly resolved on the 28th of April to return to Jamaica.
From the period of the commencement of hostilities against Spain in 1739, the conduct of the Court of Versailles had been equivocal, and in the beginning of the year 1743 the projects of Louis XV. were developed by the equipment of powerful naval armaments in the ports of France, and by the assembling of armies on the sea-coasts, the avowed aim of which was against the Crown and liberties of the British Empire.
Being no longer able to restrain her views, France declared war on the 20th of March, 1743, which was answered by a proclamation on the part of Great Britain on the 31st of that month.
1744
A force of 11,550 Marines was granted by Parliament as a part of the establishment for the year 1744, at which period fleets were detached to every quarter of the globe. A partial affair occurred in the Mediterranean in May of this year, in which a party of Marines disembarked from the Essex ship-of-war, and signalized themselves: that ship being on a cruise gained sight of twenty-six xebeques and settees, bound to Antibes, from whence they were to carry troops to Italy: the former were a convoy to the latter, which were laden with powder, cannon, ordnance stores, and provisions: thirteen having taken refuge in the Creek of Casse, the Marines were landed in order to co-operate with the boats, and to repel any enemy that might appear to retard their progress: they were attacked by a body of Spaniards, whom they beat back, and thus effected the object on which they were employed: eleven vessels were burnt and two captured.
The most active measures were adopted, by order of the Secretary at War, for again completing the ten regiments of Marines, in order to render them effective as speedily as possible.
1745
Attacks having been made during the last year by the French upon Canso and Anna-polis in Nova Scotia, the former of which they burnt, the Northern Colonies of British America became alarmed for their safety: an expedition was consequently commenced against Louisburg; considerable levies were raised in the American provinces, and a co-operating naval force, under Commodore Warren, then commanding on the West India station, was ordered to repair to Canso; the arrangements made for conducting this expedition were carried into effect with that confidence and secrecy which are always essential towards securing the success of a military enterprise, and the exertions of the Americans were fully equal to the important interests which they had at stake.
On the 4th of April the levies from New England, having reached Canso, were encamped and brought into military order and discipline preparatory to the arrival of other corps from the several provinces, while the ships of war upon the coast, and some stout privateers, continued off the harbour of Louisburg, in order to cut off all intelligence of the projected enterprise. On the 23rd of April Commodore Warren arrived at Canso, and by the 29th all the land forces were embarked, and proceeded to Gabaras Bay, about four miles from the capital of Cape Breton.