A series of prints by Philip Orsbridge published in 1762 show stages of the siege of Havana. They are based on paintings by Dominic Serres the Elder. The view is looking into the harbour mouth, with Fort Moro on the left and Fort Punta on the right. The caption explains that this depicts the 14th August 1762 when Moro had been captured and Punta was about to be occupied by troops in the boats. There is no apparent artillery fire which suggests that hostilities are over at this point. A large Union flag flies over Moro and the lighthouse is damaged. The caption also mentions the ‘opening of the Booms’. Men can be seen standing on the boom across the mouth of the harbour and there are sunken Spanish ships beyond, deliberately scuttled to block the harbour. The British ships, showing the flag of the Blue Squadron, are probably HMS Cambridge and HMS Dragon.
Regimental Details
