The Prospect of the Fort St. Anthony, at Axim

Detailed view of a Dutch fortress off the coast of modern-day Ghana.

Originally built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century, Fort St. Anthony was situated at a geographically strategic location on a rocky outcropping near the West African town of Axim. The fortress was captured by the Dutch in 1642, and they continued to use it as a trading post (especially for the export of gold, slaves, ivory, and pepper), a refitting station, and military outpost until relinquished to the British in the mid-19th century.

This view was engraved by Johannes Kip and published in the 1732 edition of the Churchill brothers epic six part travelogue, “A collection of voyages and travels.” The fortified citadel can been perched atop the rocks, while the squat buildings of the town (labeled “the Negro’s Town” in the legend, upper left) are shown huddled along the shoreline.

Sailing ships flying the Dutch flag and native canoes can be seen plying the dangerous waters. A rock in the foreground was successfully used as a battery by Admiral Ruyter to bombard the Portuguese and force them into capitulation.