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The Seven Years War (1756-63)

Manuscript and printed maps and views, correspondence and journals from the first global war

PHILIP ORSBRIDGE (D. 1766)

Havana, 1762

and to Sir George Pocock, Knight of the Bath, Admiral of the Blue Squadron, and Commander in Chief / This PERSPECTIVE VIEW of the Order of SAILING and CONDUCTING His Majesty’s Ships of WAR and TRANSPORTS / Is most humbly Inscribed...

1764 or later

Engraving and etching; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round edges of recto | 44.5 x 63.8 cm (image) | RCIN 733043.a

A view of the order of sailing of the British fleet on the expedition to Havana. Seven Years War (1756-63). This plate shows the order of sailing of the British combined forces with the larger ships of the line at the front, and, in the rear, the smaller transports.

One of a collection of ten (RCINs 733043.a-j) out of twelve prints. See the main entry at RCIN 733043.

These plates, which were painted by Serres after a series of sketches by Philip Orsbridge who was a Lieutenant on board the Orford, depict different stages of the British siege of Havana which took place between 6 June and 13 August 1762. The British combined operations force of 200 transports with 12,000 troops and twenty ships of the line with 17,000 sailors was commanded by Lieutenant-General George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle (1724-72), Vice-Admiral Sir George Pocock (1706-92), and Major-General George Augustus Eliott (1717-90).

Additional text: [bottom right, right of title, a list of ships, guns and names of commanders.]

Condition: no fold lines.
  • Philip Orsbridge (d. 1766) (artist and publisher)

    Dominic Serres the Elder (1722-93) (artist)

    Pierre Charles Canot (1710-77) (engraver) [bottom right, below view:] Canot sculpsit.

  • Watermark: On backing paper: two doves sitting on a dovecote; countermark: two names, indistinct, one above the other [?] [AUVERGNE 1742]

    Condition: no fold lines

  • 40.3 x 63.8 cm (neatline)

    44.5 x 63.8 cm (image)

    45.1 x 65.2 cm (platemark)

    47.4 x 67.2 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    and to Sir George Pocock, Knight of the Bath, Admiral of the Blue Squadron, and Commander in Chief / This PERSPECTIVE VIEW of the Order of SAILING and CONDUCTING His Majesty’s Ships of WAR and TRANSPORTS / Is most humbly Inscribed by their Devoted & most Obedient Humble Servant P,, O,, R,, Sbridge. [no plate number: Plate 1]. [bottom, below view, Pocock’s coat of arms to the left]

    Additional text:

    [bottom right, right of title, a list of ships, guns and names of commanders.]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: None.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom centre, black pencil:] 73.; [bottom right, black pencil:] C5; [bottom right, black pencil in a modern hand:] 25 Sept 86 XIII/43 (i) CMB; [bottom right, black pencil:] (i).

    George III catalogue entry:

    Havana Twelve Historical Views of the glorious Expedition of His Majesty’s Ships and Forces against the Havana in 1762, under the command of Sir George Pocock, Lord Albemarle and Rear Admiral Keppel: by Ph. Orsbridge: painted by Serres and engraved by Canot and Mason: with an Explanation.

  • Subject(s)

    Havana, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba (23°07'58"N 82°22'58"W)

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024