Image: Dominic Serres the Elder - The Capture of Havana, 1762

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. Having landed troops and stores in early June, 1762, a breach was finally made with mines in the walls of Morro Castle and it was rapidly taken by storm (see also BHC0413). In this painting Serres shows the Castle from the north-east, with the British siege camp on the cliffs and tropps moving into the Morro up the breach in its north-east bastion. The flotilla of boats laden with troops appear to be head off round to the harbour entrance, which lies beyond the tower on the far end of the castle, to consolidate their hold on it before taking the town, on the west side of the harbour.
Title: The Capture of Havana, 1762: Storming of Morro Castle, 30 Julylabel QS:Len,"The Capture of Havana, 1762: Storming of Morro Castle, 30 July"
Credit: National Maritime Museum BHC0412
Author: Dominic Serres
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No