This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

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

JOHN BOYDELL (1720-1804)

View of Battle of Cape St Vincent, 1780 (Cabo de São Vicente, Portugal) 37°01'21"N 08°59'25"W

published 1782

Engraving and etching; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper brought round the edges of the recto | 47.4 x 57.5 cm (image) | RCIN 734053

A view of the Battle of Cape St Vincent (also known as the Moonlight Battle) fought on 16 January 1780 between British ships, commanded by Admiral George Bridges Rodney (bap.1718-92), and a Spanish fleet, commanded by Don Juan de Lángara (1736-1806), resulting in a British victory. American War of Independence (1775-83).

The Battle of Cape St Vincent was the first major naval victory for the British over their European enemies during the war.

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.
  • John Boydell (1720-1804) (publisher) [bottom centre, under edge of view:] John Boydell excudit 1782. 
    [bottom centre, under dedication:] Published May 6.th 1782, by John Boydell, Engraver in Cheapside London.

    Richard Paton (1717-91) (artist) [bottom left, under edge of view:] Rich.d Paton Pinxit.

    Daniel Lerpiniere (1745-85) (engraver) [bottom right, under edge of view:] Dan.l Lerpiniere Sculpsit

    George Bridges, 1st Baron Rodney (1719-92) (dedicatee)

    Subject(s)

    Royal Navy
    Navy-Spain
  • Watermark: A dovecote with three birds; countermark: indistinct, two names

    Condition: no fold lines

  • 43.9 x 57.5 cm (neatline)

    47.4 x 57.5 cm (image)

    48.9 x 60.2 cm (platemark)

    49.1 x 61.0 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    To S.R G.B. RODNEY Bar.t ADM.L of the WHITE and K.T of the MOST HON: ORDER of the BATH &c. / This Representation of the Defeat of a Squadron of Spanish Ships under the Command of Don Juan de Langara, Rear Admiral, by a Squadron of His Majestys Ships under his Command, / off Cape S.t Vincent on the 16.th Jany 1780, / Is (by Permission) most humbly Inscribed by his most Devoted and Obedient Servant / Rich.d Paton. [bottom centre, below view]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: [black pencil:] Military Naval Engagement 16 Jan 1780 Port folio No 5.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 81.c.; [bottom left, black pencil, obscured by paper backing: the old heading]; [bottom right, black pencil:] 1780-4; [left of centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 3; [top right, black pencil, a letter?].

    K. Mil. dummy sheet:

    Title [ink:] Representation of the Defeat of a Squadron of Spanish Ships, commanded by Don / Juan de Langara; by a Squadron of His Majesty's Ships, commanded by Admiral / Sir G. B. Rodney; off Cape S.t Vincent, on the 16.th of Jan.y 1780: - by R. Paton, engraved / by Lerpiniere - published by Boydell 1782 / Port-folio N.o [black pencil:] 5 - 2 Table / [in a modern hand, crossed out in black pencil:] U.L. Naval / [George III heading, red ink:] Naval Engagement 16 Jan. 1780; [black pencil, erased, partly legible:] oversize folder Box XIV. 
    Watermark: J WHATMAN 1811. 
    Size: 48.0 x 33.2 cm (sheet).

    George III catalogue entry:

    Naval Engagement Representation of the Defeat of a Squadron of Spanish Ships commanded by Don Juan de Langara, by a Squadron of His Majesty's Ships, commanded by Admiral Sir G. B. Rodney, off Cape S.t Vincent, on the 16.th of January 1780: by R. Paton, engraved by Lerpiniere and published by Boydell, 1782.

  • Subject(s)

    Cabo de São Vicente, Portugal (37°01'21"N 08°59'25"W)

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    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.81c

    K. Breen, 'Rodney, George Bridges, first Baron Rodney (bap. 1718, d. 1792)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008.

Page revisions

  • 3 November 2024