American War of Independence (1775-83)
George III’s maps and views showing the development of the war at home and abroad, from North America to India
Battle of Cape St Vincent, 1780
A Representation of the memorable Action between the BRITISH FLEET under the command of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney Bar,,t / and the SPANISH FLEET commanded by Don Juan De Langara, off Cape S.t Vincent in...
published 1782Engraving and etching; printed on paper | 30.4 x 40.3 cm (image) | RCIN 734055
The Battle of Cape St Vincent was the first major naval victory for the British over their European enemies during the war.
Additional text: [bottom centre, between title and imprint:] In the above Engagement, which was in tempestuous weather and Shoal Water, Sir George captur'd the Phenix (the finest Ship in the Spanish service) and five more of the Line; besides one / of Seventy Guns, blown up during the Action.
For further reading, see:
K. Breen, 'Rodney, George Bridges, first Baron Rodney (bap. 1718, d. 1792)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008.
Condition: no fold lines; creased; brown discolouration; surface dirt.
William Byrne (1743-1805) (publisher)
Thomas Luny (1759-1837) (artist and print seller) [bottom left, below edge of view:] Tho.s Luny pinx.t
James Fittler (1758-1835) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Ja.s Fittler sculp.t
William Faden (1749-1836) (print seller) [bottom centre, below text:] London: Published as the Act directs, 15 April 1782, by the Proprietor W. Byrne, N.o 79 Titchfield Street. Sold likewise by T. Luny, N.o 42 Ratcliff-highway, E. Hedges, N.o 92 Piazas Royal Exchange, & W. Faden, Corner of S.t Martins Lane Strand.
Edward Hedges (active 1780-94) (print seller)
Watermark: Indistinct, two or three names/words, one above the other: [?] FIN / [?]
Condition: no fold lines; creased; brown discolouration; surface dirt
26.3 x 40.3 cm (neatline)
30.4 x 40.3 cm (image)
32.7 x 44.0 cm (platemark)
36.7 x 49.5 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
A Representation of the memorable Action between the BRITISH FLEET under the command of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney Bar,,t / and the SPANISH FLEET commanded by Don Juan De Langara, off Cape S.t Vincent in the Evening of the 16,,th of Jan.y 1780. [bottom centre, below view]
Additional text:
[bottom centre, between title and imprint:] In the above Engagement, which was in tempestuous weather and Shoal Water, Sir George captur'd the Phenix (the finest Ship in the Spanish service) and five more of the Line; besides one / of Seventy Guns, blown up during the Action.
Annotations:
George III heading: Naval Engagement 16 Jan. 1780.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 81.b; [bottom left, in a modern hand:] XIV/55.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement A Representation of the memorable Action between the British Fleet under the command of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney, and the Spanish Fleet commanded by Don Juan de Langara off Cape S.t Vincent in the evening of the 16.th of January 1780: by Thomas Luny, engraved by Fittler, 1782.
Subject(s)
Cabo de São Vicente, Portugal (37°01'21"N 08°59'25"W)
Bibliographic reference(s)
K. Breen, 'Rodney, George Bridges, first Baron Rodney (bap. 1718, d. 1792)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008.
H. Parker, Naval battles from the collection of prints formed and owned by Commander Sir Charles Leopold Cust. With an introduction by C.N. Robinson, 2 vols., London 1911, no.81b
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
