Canary Islands La Gomera taking 1000 captives to be sold as slaves. Another noteworthy attack occurred in 1797, when Santa Cruz de Tenerife was attacked by a British fleet under Horatio Nelson on 25 July. The British were repulsed, losing almost 400 men. It was during this battle that Nelson lost his right arm. The sugar-based economy of the islands faced stiff competition from Spain's American colonies. Low prices in the sugar market in the 19th century caused severe recessions on the islands. A new cash crop, cochineal ("cochinilla"), came into cultivation during this time, saving the islands' economy. During this time
Religion in the Canary Islands same Alonso Fernández de Lugo (conqueror of this island) who in 1513 asked the Court to erect a new diocese on the island of Tenerife. However, this project would always have the opposition of the Grancanarian bishop. From this moment, the Canary Islands was divided into two dioceses: The "Diocese Canariense-Rubicense" that encompasses the eastern islands (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) and "Diocese of San Cristóbal of La Laguna" or "Nivariense" that encompasses the western islands (Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro). In the Canary Islands, religious devotions of great tradition in history and culture are particularly important,