An Exact Draught of the Bay and Harbour of Vigo

Mid-18th century bird’s eye view of the Battle of Vigo Bay.

The Battle of Vigo Bay was an engagement that saw a combined Dutch/English naval force successfully capture one of Spain’s famous treasure fleets, protected by an allied escort of French ships. The battle took place off the northwestern coast of Spain in 1702 as part of the larger War of Spanish Succession. Though much of the treasure had been unloaded by the time the victory was assured, the success would ultimately lead Portugal to abandon Spain and join Britain and the Dutch Republic in the Grand Alliance.

The famous battle is shown here about forty years after the events took place, in a view published for inclusion in The continuation of Mr. Rapin’s History of England; from the revolution to the present times. Oriented with north to the left, the image shows the Allied fleet in its approaches to the city and subsequent engagement with numerous French ships of the line, several of which are individually labeled.

A key in the lower left identifies the various components of the engagement that are labeled within the view, including the amphibious invasion, destruction of Spanish galleons, and the march to Castle Rante.