General Eliott (1717–1790), and His Officers Observing the Destruction of the Floating Batteries, Gibraltar, 14 September 1782

Image credit: National Army Museum

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When Spain entered the American War of Independence (1775–1783) in 1779, it began besieging Gibraltar which had been captured by the British in 1704. The garrison, commanded by General Augustus Eliott (later 1st Baron Heathfield), was repeatedly attacked. The siege reached crisis point in September 1782 – when already weakened, the Rock was bombarded both from land and also close-to from the sea. The Spanish fleet included a number of specially-built floating batteries, ships with double-hulls for protection carrying heavy artillery to attack. British gunners fired back with red-hot shot, risking death from exploding cannon. They set the batteries on fire, causing two to explode. The Spanish fleet retreated and the garrison was able to keep up its resistance until the close of hostilities in 1783.

National Army Museum

London

Title

General Eliott (1717–1790), and His Officers Observing the Destruction of the Floating Batteries, Gibraltar, 14 September 1782

Date

1784

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 153 x W 258.5 cm

Accession number

NAM. 1996-07-107

Acquisition method

purchased from the Army Museums Ogilby Trust with aid from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Society of Friends of the National Army Museum, the Art Fund, the Esmée Fairbairn Charitable Trust and the Mercers’ Company, 1996

Work type

Painting

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