Siege of Port Royal (1707)

Siege of Port Royal
Part of Queen Anne's War
1702 map of Port Royal
Date First siege: 6–17 June 1707 Second siege: 22 August – 1 September 1707 Location Port Royal, Acadia Result French-Wabanaki Confederacy victory
Belligerents
France  New France Wabanaki Confederacy[1]	Great Britain Massachusetts Rhode Island New Hampshire
Commanders and leaders
Daniel d'Auger de Subercase Bernard-Anselme d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin Pierre Morpain[2]	John March Francis Wainwright Charles Stuckley Winthrop Hilton Cyprian Southack[3]
Strength
160 regulars 60 militia 100 Indian warriors[4]	1,150 regulars (first siege)[5] 850 regulars (second siege)[6]
Casualties and losses
5+ killed 20 wounded[7][8]	16 killed 16 wounded[9][8]

The siege of Port Royal consisted of two separate attempts in 1707 by the British New England Colonies to conquer the French colony of Acadia by capturing its capital of Port-Royal during Queen Anne's War. Both attempts were made by colonial troops and were led by officers inexperienced in siege warfare. Led by governor of Acadia Daniel d'Auger de Subercase, the French garrison at Port-Royal easily withstood both attempts, assisted by Acadian militia and the Wabanaki Confederacy outside the fort.

The first siege began on June 6, 1707, and lasted 11 days. Provincial troops led by Colonel John March were able to establish positions near Port-Royal's fort, but March's engineer claimed the necessary cannons could not be landed, and the British force withdrew amid disagreements in their war council. The second siege began August 22, and was never able to establish secure camps, owing to spirited defensive sorties organized by Subercase.

Both siege attempts were viewed as a debacle in Boston, and the expedition's leaders were jeered upon their return. Subercase, concerned that the British might return the following year, strengthened the fortifications at Port-Royal and incited attacks on New England merchant shipping. Port-Royal was captured in 1710 by a larger force that included British Army troops, which marked the end of French rule in Acadia