Siege of Havana

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 40s, 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 English fleet moved into Havana harbour once the obstructions had been cleared on 21 August. On the left of the picture, Commodore Augustus Keppel in the 'Valiant', is leading in his squadron first, an honour accorded him by Admiral Sir George Pocock. On the right Pocock's 'Namur', flying his flag as Admiral of the Blue, together with the Union flag and blue ensign, is shown following with the bulk of the fleet.

Bombardment of the Morro Castle, Havana, 1 July 1762 title QS:P1476,en:"Bombardment of the Morro Castle, Havana, 1 July 1762 "label QS:Len,"Bombardment of the Morro Castle, Havana, 1 July 1762 "label QS:Lde,"Beschießung von Schloß Morro, Havanna am 1. Juli 1762"

Title: Of His Majesty's ships on the secret expedition, against the Havannah Physical description: 1 print. Notes: This record contains unverified data from PGA shelflist card.; Associated name on shelflist card: Serres.

Title: Of His Majesty's ships on the secret expedition, against the Havannah Physical description: 1 print. Notes: This record contains unverified data from PGA shelflist card.; Associated name on shelflist card: Serres.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. It was captured from Moro Castle, Havana, which was stormed on 30 July 1762. The flag is made of white linen painted with Spanish Royal arms, quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. It has been patched with parts of two other Spanish flags, one of which shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. It was captured from Moro Castle, Havana, which was stormed on 30 July 1762. The flag is made of white linen painted with Spanish Royal arms, quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. It has been patched with parts of two other Spanish flags, one of which shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. Captured from Moro Castle, Havana 20 July 1762. White linen painted with Spanish Royal arms- quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A patch shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. Captured from Moro Castle, Havana 20 July 1762. White linen painted with Spanish Royal arms- quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A patch shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. Captured from Moro Castle, Havana 20 July 1762. White linen painted with Spanish Royal arms- quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A patch shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. Captured from Moro Castle, Havana 20 July 1762. White linen painted with Spanish Royal arms- quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A patch shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. Captured from Moro Castle, Havana 20 July 1762. White linen painted with Spanish Royal arms- quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A patch shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. Captured from Moro Castle, Havana 20 July 1762. White linen painted with Spanish Royal arms- quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A patch shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Spanish flag Fragments of a Spanish flag patched with pieces of a smaller Spanish flag. It was captured from Moro Castle, Havana, which was stormed on 30 July 1762. The flag is made of white linen painted with Spanish Royal arms, quartered with the arms of Castille and Leon with the Bourbon arms in the centre surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. It has been patched with parts of two other Spanish flags, one of which shows the complete Royal arms. Record Shot - Do not reproduce.

Title: This perspective view of the grand attack of that city and punto castle, between the hours of 5 and 10 in the morning of Augt. 13th 1762 ... / Serres pinxit ; Mason sculpsit. Abstract/medium: Copy 1 1 print : etching and engraving on paper ; on sheet 45.3 x 64.3 cm.; Copy 2 1 print : etching and engraving on paper ; on sheet 46.5 x 65.5 cm.

Title: This perspective view of the grand attack of that city and punto castle, between the hours of 5 and 10 in the morning of Augt. 13th 1762 ... / Serres pinxit ; Mason sculpsit. Abstract/medium: Copy 1 1 print : etching and engraving on paper ; on sheet 45.3 x 64.3 cm.; Copy 2 1 print : etching and engraving on paper ; on sheet 46.5 x 65.5 cm.

* EM1921

[Siege of Havana in 1762