Captain Jenkin's Ear

The War of Jenkins's Ear (which merged into the War of the Austrian Succession) was the result, amongst other things, of a minor, alleged confrontation between Spanish Guarda Costas and the Captain and crew of the Glasgow brig 'Rebecca' in 1731. Captain Jenkins claimed that, whilst in the Caribbean, his ship had been boarded by the Guarda Costa and his crew maltreated, and that the Spaniards had then cut off one of his ears. Additionally, he claimed he was tortured and threatened with death. There were no major actions fought during this war, although the declaration of war led to the dispatch of Anson's squadron to attack the coast of South America, and to finally circumnavigate the globe, and Admiral Edward Vernon's fleet attacked Spanish land in the Caribbean.