View of Portsmouth Harbor
Christopher Seton, London: 1747

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A View Prospect of the Town's Harbour of Portsmouth with the Fleet
detail
A View Prospect of the Town's Harbour of Portsmouth with the Fleet...
Chistopher Seton/ The Setons, London: 1747
Black and white engraving
15 x 19.5 inches, sheet
14 x 17.5 inches, image
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Two people on horseback and others on foot observe the Portsmouth, England, harbor, filled with sailing ships of the British fleet commanded by Admiral George Lord Anson (1697-1762), and French ships captured in a popular and famous battle he led off of Cape Finisterre in 1747 during the War of the Austrian Secession.

In May 1747, 16 warships under Anson came upon a French supply fleet under escort off the Atlantic Coast of Spain near Cape Finisterre. The five-hour naval battle that ensued led to the surrender of the French admiral, La Jonquière and glory for Anson, who was made a vice-admiral and raised to the peerage. La Jonquière was on his way to Quebec with many of those who had been deported to France by the English after the French surrendered Louisbourg in 1745. Although the French lost the battle, the English did not get at the supply ships, which were able to escape to their destinations. La Jonquière subsequently spent two years in England as a prisoner of war, but eventually was released to take up his gubernatorial duties at Quebec during the summer of 1749. Anson had previously distinguished himself during a war with Spain, circumnavigating the globe from 1740-44, along the way inflicting damage on Spanish colonies and shipping. In the years after Cape Finisterre, he was appointed the first lord of the admiralty, where he assisted in the reorganization of naval administration.

The full title of the print is A View Prospect of the Town's Harbour of Portsmouth with the Fleet Under the R. Hon. George Lord Anson Vice Admirals the Hon. Sr. Peter Warren Rear Admiral, returning bringing in with them the French Fleet Taken off Cape Finisterre the 3rd of May 1747. It has a printed dedication in the lower margin: To the R. Hon. George Lord Anson Baron of Soberton One of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty And Vice Admiral of the Blue Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet. This Plate is most Humbly Dedicated by his most Obedient humble Serv. Christopher Seton.

References:

"17. The Wool Exchange: George Anson (1697-1762)." Bradford, UK. http://www.bradford.gov.uk/tourism/trails/citycentre/woolex_13.html (14 March 2002).

"George Anson, Baron." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed. New York: Columbia University Press: 2001. Online at http://www.bartleby.com/65/an/Anson-Ge.html (14 March 2002).

Landry, Peter. "Glossems:In support of Bluepete's History of Nova Scotia." Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. January 2000. http://www.blupete.com/Hist/Gloss/Glossary.htm#Finisterre (14 March 2002).