Two ships had put back to England, a third was lost to the southward of Chiloe.
With the three left to him he cruised along the South American coast, taking some prizes and pillaging the town of Payta, intending to touch near Panama and join hands with Vernon for the capture of that place and the possession of the isthmus, if possible.

Learning of the disaster at Cartagena, he then determined to cross the Pacific and waylay the two galleons that sailed yearly from Acapulco to Manila.
In the passage across, one of the two ships now left to him was found in such bad condition that she had to be destroyed.

With the other he succeeded in his last undertaking, capturing the great galleon with a million and a half dollars in specie.

The expedition, from its many misfortunes, had no military result beyond the terror and consequent embarrassment caused to the Spanish settlements; but its very misfortunes, and the calm persistency which worked out a great success from them all, have given it a well-deserved renown.
During the year 1740 happened two events which led to a general European war breaking in upon that in which Spain and England were already engaged.

In May of that year Frederick the Great became king of Prussia, and in October the emperor Charles VI., formerly the Austrian claimant of the Spanish throne, died.