Image: Dominic Serres the Elder - The Capture of Havana, 1762- the Landing, 7th June

Description: A depiction of an episode from the last major operation of the Seven Years War, 1756–63. It was part of England’s offensive against Spain when she entered the war in support of France late in 1761. The British Government’s response was immediately to plan large offensive amphibious operations against Spanish overseas possessions, particularly Havana, the capital of the western dominions and Manila, the capital of the eastern. Havana needed large forces for its capture and early in 1762 ships and troops were dispatched under Admiral Sir George Pocock and General the Earl of Albemarle. The force which descended on Cuba consisted of 22 ships of the line, four 50-gun ships, three 40-gunners, a dozen frigates and a dozen sloops and bomb vessels. In addition there were troopships, storeships, and hospital ships. Pocock took this great fleet of about 180 sail through the dangerous Old Bahama Strait, from Jamaica, to take Havana by surprise. Havana, on Cuba's north coast, was guarded by the elevated Morro Castle which commanded both the entrance to its fine harbour, immediately to the west, and the town on the west side of the bay. This painting shows the encampment of the British troops at Cojimar Bay, after landing some six miles east of Morro Castle on 7 June, in preparation for the siege. To the left are the rows of tents of the British camp, with boats moving to and fro between storeships and elements of Pocock's fleet (flying blue on the right).
Title: The Capture of Havana, 1762: the Landing, 7th June label QS:Len,"The Capture of Havana, 1762: the Landing, 7th June"
Credit: Royal Museums Greewich
Author: Dominic Serres
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No