The Battle of Lagos!
The naval Battle of Lagos took place between a British fleet commanded by Sir Edward Boscawen and a French fleet under Jean-François de La Clue-Sabran over two days in 1759 during the Seven Years’ War. They fought south west of the Gulf of Cádiz on 18 August and to the east of the small Portuguese port of Lagos, after which the battle is named, on 19 August.
Beecroft met with Kosoko to sign a treaty that he will abolish slave trade, however, Kosoko refused and told Beecroft that unless the Oba of Benin informed him to do so, he will not sign the treaty.
Just 5 days later, Beecroft returned with British ships, almost immediately that they arrived a mile of Lagos, kosoko’s warriors opened fire on them from both sides of the river. The British ship returned fire with canons and guns while kosoko’s canons. About 150 marines used canoes to get ashore but where not able to get into the shore of Lagos. The kosoko’s warriors drove them back every time. When they tried to maneuver the narrow streets and alleyways, they were met by bullets from the kosoko’s warriors muskets and swords.
After two British party was killed and about 16 soldiers wounded, they retreated and set houses ablaze as they left. They fled back to their ship and the attack was aborted.
Next we will talk about the Second battle which happened on Boxing Day in 1851
