Lot Essay
The painting shows the main part of the Spanish fleet having been taken over by British commanders. Their flags have been hoisted above the Spanish colours to signify the surrender.
The Spanish ships shown are, reading from left to right:
The Soverano (70 guns) stern on; Tigre (70 guns) bows on and firing a salute. This was the Spanish flagship and is now commanded by Admiral Sir George Pocock, who, as Commander-in-Chief, is flying the Royal Standard. The San Genaro (60 guns) stern on and to the right of the Tigre; Asia (64 guns) also stern on and to the right of San Genaro, half hidden; Conquestador (60 guns) firing a salute in the centre of the picture; Thetis (22 guns) in the foreground, which was captured earlier on 3 June by the Alarm commanded by Captain James Alms. The San Antonio (60 guns) half hidden in the distance behind Thetis; Infante (70 guns) stern on; Europa (60 guns) whose bows can be seen beyond Infante; La Reyne (70 guns) stern on, also in the distance; America (60 guns) extreme right of picture.
Historical Background;
The Seven Years War (1756-1763) was predominantly a struggle for supremacy between France and England. Despite numerous decisive British victories however, Spain decided to enter the war as France's ally late in 1761 even though, by that time, England's sea as well as her land forces were overwhelmingly superior. During this final phase of hostilities, the focas of attention shifted to the West Indies where both France and Spain still retained several valuble possessions, any one of which was a major prize for the expanding British Empire. Sensing this scenario as inevitable, Pitt had already dispatched reinforcements to the area the previous October with the result that Rear-Admiral Rodney was able to mount a carefully planned campaign immediately after the formal declaration of war with Spain on 2 January 1762. First to fall was the immensely rich sugar island of Martinique, the last remaining French outpost in the Caribbean, closely followed by St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada. Once these bases had capitulated, the way was clear for an attack on Cuba and Admiral Sir George Pocock, fresh from successes off India and Ceylon, was chosen to lead the assault. Anchoring east of Havana in June, troops under the command of the Earl of Albermarle were then landed under the protection of Commodore Keppel's squadron whilst Pocock's ships bombarded the city. The siege and blockade, during which Moro Castle was taken, lasted weeks rather than days and eventually, on 13 August 1762, Havana fell to the combined naval and military forces. It was a stunning victory which dealt Spain a crippling blow. The port of Havana had been of the highest strategic and commercial importance and its loss was worsened by the capture of nine ships-of-the-line and the destruction of five others, in total one-fifth of the entire Spanish Navy. In addition, Pocock took nearly a hundred merchantmen lying in the harbour and the prize money for the expedition amount close on #3/4 million sterling. It was a triumph which hastened a general peace, and was also a classic example of inter-service co-operation, then a comparative rarity in the art of war.
The Spanish ships shown are, reading from left to right:
The Soverano (70 guns) stern on; Tigre (70 guns) bows on and firing a salute. This was the Spanish flagship and is now commanded by Admiral Sir George Pocock, who, as Commander-in-Chief, is flying the Royal Standard. The San Genaro (60 guns) stern on and to the right of the Tigre; Asia (64 guns) also stern on and to the right of San Genaro, half hidden; Conquestador (60 guns) firing a salute in the centre of the picture; Thetis (22 guns) in the foreground, which was captured earlier on 3 June by the Alarm commanded by Captain James Alms. The San Antonio (60 guns) half hidden in the distance behind Thetis; Infante (70 guns) stern on; Europa (60 guns) whose bows can be seen beyond Infante; La Reyne (70 guns) stern on, also in the distance; America (60 guns) extreme right of picture.
Historical Background;
The Seven Years War (1756-1763) was predominantly a struggle for supremacy between France and England. Despite numerous decisive British victories however, Spain decided to enter the war as France's ally late in 1761 even though, by that time, England's sea as well as her land forces were overwhelmingly superior. During this final phase of hostilities, the focas of attention shifted to the West Indies where both France and Spain still retained several valuble possessions, any one of which was a major prize for the expanding British Empire. Sensing this scenario as inevitable, Pitt had already dispatched reinforcements to the area the previous October with the result that Rear-Admiral Rodney was able to mount a carefully planned campaign immediately after the formal declaration of war with Spain on 2 January 1762. First to fall was the immensely rich sugar island of Martinique, the last remaining French outpost in the Caribbean, closely followed by St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada. Once these bases had capitulated, the way was clear for an attack on Cuba and Admiral Sir George Pocock, fresh from successes off India and Ceylon, was chosen to lead the assault. Anchoring east of Havana in June, troops under the command of the Earl of Albermarle were then landed under the protection of Commodore Keppel's squadron whilst Pocock's ships bombarded the city. The siege and blockade, during which Moro Castle was taken, lasted weeks rather than days and eventually, on 13 August 1762, Havana fell to the combined naval and military forces. It was a stunning victory which dealt Spain a crippling blow. The port of Havana had been of the highest strategic and commercial importance and its loss was worsened by the capture of nine ships-of-the-line and the destruction of five others, in total one-fifth of the entire Spanish Navy. In addition, Pocock took nearly a hundred merchantmen lying in the harbour and the prize money for the expedition amount close on #3/4 million sterling. It was a triumph which hastened a general peace, and was also a classic example of inter-service co-operation, then a comparative rarity in the art of war.