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
Garajonay Express Garajonay Express Garajonay Express was a ferry company in the Canary Islands which ceased operating in November 2008. The firm was named after the National park "Garajonay" on the island of La Gomera. See article: Garajonay National Park. The ferry firm previously connected Los Cristianos in Tenerife with San Sebastian, Playa Santiago, and Valle Gran Rey in La Gomera. Garajonay Express operated the two High-speed crafts Garajonay and Orone. These were second-hand ferries sold on from Italian ferry operator SNAV. The ship's route 'The Gomera Inline Route' was awarded to fellow ferry firm Fred. Olsen Express, who used a similar