Battle of Porto Bello - Legacy

Legacy

The capture of Porto Bello became seen as a popular triumph throughout the British Empire and the name Portobello became frequently used to commemorate the battle such as the Portobello Road in London, the Portobello district of Edinburgh and Porto Bello in Virginia. The victory was particularly well received in America, where the Spanish had been preying on British shipping.

Admiral Vernon became a popular hero, and himself was commemorated in several names, perhaps most famously Mount Vernon the estate of George Washington. He was promoted to the rank of Admiral. Vernon was a notable opponent of the British government, and in the wake of the victory he was one of the advocates of a more belligerent approach towards Britain's enemies. The British Prime Minister Robert Walpole was placed under great pressure by the Opposition to launch similar raids along the Spanish coast.

Although British control lasted just three weeks the effect on Porto Bello was devastating; it being essentially abandoned due to a complete re-organisation of Spanish trading practices designed to make them less vulnerable. The economy of the town did not recover fully until the construction of the Panama Canal nearly two centuries later.