Image: Dominic Serres the Elder - The Capture of Havana, 1762, the English Battery before Morro Castle

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. The castle was built on rock, with massive rock-cut ditches defending it to landward. It was, however, overlooked by the high ground of the Cabana ridge (Los Cavannos) to the south-east. Despite Spanish defence of the ridge, the British managed to take it and set up a battery there from which to bombard the castle at a distance. This painting shows the inside of the battery, made from a timber platform with a parapet of fascines. The gunners wear blue coats. The Morro Castle can be seen in the distance on the right, with the bell-tower of Havana cathedral on the left. The main harbour lies below, hidden by the trees in the centre.
Title: The Capture of Havana, 1762: the English Battery Before Morro Castlelabel QS:Len,"The Capture of Havana, 1762: the English Battery Before Morro Castle"
Credit: National Maritime Museum BHC0410
Author: Dominic Serres
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No