An Exact Draught of the Castle of San Lorenzo the Village & River of Chagre

Vernon’s assault on Chagres and Fort San Lorenzo during the War of Jenkins’ Ear.

This lovely little plan shows the mouth of the Chagres River in modern-day Panama, including the town of the same name and the Spanish Fort San Lorenzo. Area topography is depicted pictorially, with text in the upper right further describing local history and geography.

The map was published in London’s Gentleman’s Magazine in 1740, shortly after Admiral Vernon’s successful attack on the fort as part of the War of Jenkins’ Ear. British audiences were eager for updates and numerous labeled elements outline details of the engagement, including the position of Vernon’s ships, important structures, and prominent features. Spanish defenses perhaps over-exaggerated – the fortress only had about 30 soldiers, so 22 brass guns would have been an unusable amount for such a small complement (Wikipedia says it was defended by 4 cannon).