Description
These historical views of ye last glorious expedition of his Britannic majesty's ships and forces against the Havannah... [London, c.1765]. Folio, engraved frontispiece, 12 engraved plates by Canot and Mason after D. Serres, 50 x 74.5cm, each plate framed and glazed, some light foxing to plates, plates laid down on backing boards
Footnote
Note: A series of depictions from the last major operation of the Seven Years War, 1756–63. The Capture of Havana 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 in the east. 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 that 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 vessels from Jamaica and sailed through the dangerous Old Straits of Bahama to take Havana by surprise. "Overall, the enterprise has been rated a masterpiece of planning, amphibious warfare, and naval prowess." (ODNB)
Philip Orsbridge was a lieutenant on board the Orford at the capture of Havana and he recorded in drawings the events as they unfolded. On his return to London he decided to turn his sketches to advantage by publishing them. Influenced by the policies of George Anson, First Lord of the Admiralty from 1749 to 1762, who encouraged men like Orsbridge to improve themselves through scientific inquiry and draftsmanship. (Monks, S. 2005)