It was again considered necessary to form an efficient maritime force in distinct regiments, by which means the corps of the regular army could be embarked when required for continental services, and the marine regiments could be employed, either on board of ships of war, or at the naval stations, as might be considered best for the public service. Orders were issued for augmenting the land forces, and also for forming _six regiments of marines_, each to consist of ten companies of seventy privates in each company, and to be commanded by 1st, Colonel Edward Wolfe, from 3rd Foot Guards; 2nd, Colonel W. Robinson, from Handasyd’s 22nd regiment; 3rd, Colonel Andrew Lowther, from 2nd Foot Guards; 4th, Colonel John Wynyard, from Tyrrell’s regiment; 5th, Colonel Charles Douglas, from Howard’s regiment; 6th, Colonel Lucius Ducie Moreton, from 3rd Foot Guards. In order to facilitate the speedy formation of these corps, and to render them effective, five men from each company of the regiments of foot guards were appointed serjeants and corporals; and further, that they might be rapidly completed, a bounty of thirty shillings per man was allowed to 1800 men who volunteered from the regiments of infantry to the marine corps: by these energies, the whole of the marine regiments were soon raised and disciplined. On the prospect of the commencement of hostilities Admiral Vernon had sailed for Jamaica, where he arrived in October, 1739, with a fleet of five ships, having 200 marines on board, and proceeded from thence to _Porto Bello_, the destined object of his attach, which was at that time the great mart for the wealthy commerce of Chili and Peru; the attempt was fraught with many difficulties, but it was undertaken and performed with spirit and promptitude. On the 21st of November, 1739, the attack was commenced by the ships, in line of battle, against the Iron Castle, a strong fort at the north point of the entrance into the harbour. The Spaniards flying from several parts of it, an instant debarkation of the seamen and marines from on board the Burford, Norwich, and Worcester took place under cover of those ships, and the fort was carried. Upon the 22nd an attack was intended against the whole, but the enemy displayed the white flag as a signal of surrender. After destroying the fortifications, which from their strength required some time, the Admiral with his squadron sailed for Jamaica on the 13th of December, 1739. [Sidenote: 1740]