Historic Naval Battles

Engravings illustrate key naval battles and encounters between fleets throughout history, emphasizing maritime conflict and naval strategy.

In 1702, the Battle of Vigo Bay occurred, and in 1719, because a Spanish fleet which departed from Vigo attempted to invade Scotland in support of the Jacobite's, the city was occupied for ten days by a British force.

The Battle of Trafalgar. Spanish engraving.

Illustration depicting the meeting of the French and English fleets in the Bay of Biscay during The Biscay campaign of June 1795. Dated 1820

THE CIVIL WAR IN CHILE

In 1702, the Battle of Vigo Bay occurred, and in 1719, because a Spanish fleet which departed from Vigo attempted to invade Scotland in support of the Jacobite's, the city was occupied for ten days by a British force.

BATALLA DE TRAFALGAR, 21 de Octubre de 1805. Grabados México, Madrid. Author: J. VALLEJO.

Two sailing ships at a landing place. Turbulent sea with two sailing ships trying to moor at a mooring place where a small group of figures is. Leaf 8 Recto from a sketchbook with 44 sheets.

By sail to India in 1755. Painting of an armed East Indiaman lying at anchor before departing for India

The Union Sloop of War Kearsarge sinking the Confederate ship Alabama, June 19, 1864, lithograph by Currier & Ives, 1864

CORTELLINI, Angel MarÕa (1820). Battle of Trafalgar (21st October 1805). The Spanish ship San Hermenegildo. Painting. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). Madrid. Navy Museum.

MONLEON Y TORRES, Rafael (1835-1900). Combat between the Spanish 'Catalan' against the British Mary. 1888. Battle fought between the Catalàn, with 62 guns, under the rule of de Antonio Serrano, and the Mary, with 60 guns (1724). Oil on canvas. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). Madrid. Navy Museum.

The U.S. ships 'Columbus' and 'Vincennes' leaving Jedo Bay, July 29, 1846. By opening up the Japanese ports to trade the U.S. Navy rendered a great service to the whole world.

Collision between the warships Iron Duke and Vanguard in the Irish Sea, near Bray Head, UK, illustration from La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana magazine, Year 19, Number 35, September 22, 1875. Digitally colorized image.

Sir William Congreve developed a rocket with a range of about 9,000 feet. The incendiary rocket used black powder, an iron case, and a 16-foot guide stick. In 1806, British used Congreve rockets to attack Napoleon's headquarters in France. In 1807, Congreve directed a rocket attack against Copenhagen.

Giuseppe garibaldi

The Battle of Livorno (Leghorn), Willem van de Velde (I), c. 1659 - c. 1699 painting The sea battle at Livorno, March 14, 1653: episode from the first English sea war (1652-54). Displayed include the warships: the moon (or half moon), Sampson, Witte Elephant, Virgin of Enkhuizen/Enchuiser Maegt, Levant Merchant, Zeven Provinciën, Bonaventura, Paragon, Sun, Eendracht, Julius Caesar, Fenix, Leopard and Mary. In the foreground the sinking ship Sampson with the crew leaving the ship. On the list (in the middle) there is a cut cartouche on which a description with numbers and capital letters of the ships depicted and what happened. panel. ink battle (+ sailing-ships). sailing-ship, sailing-boat. Battle of Leghorn Livorno

Engagement Between the Constitution and the Guerriere, Thomas Birch, 1813, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Mass, USA, North America

Admiral Howes victory off Ushant, June 1, 1794: LAchille in Portsmouth harbour.

Dominic Serres RA, 1722-1793, French, active in Britain (from the 1750s), Warships Preparing to Sail from their Anchorage, 1782. Watercolor and pen and gray ink with graphite on cream, moderately thick, slightly textured, laid paper.

Naval bombardment of Vera Cruz, Mexico March 1847 during USA Mexican War

Soon after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, a group of London merchants presented a petition to Queen Elizabeth I for permission to sail to the Indian Ocean. Despite early sailing disasters, the East India Company was formed in 1600. It became the British East India Company after the Treaty of Union in 1707. It was a joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China, mainly in cotton, silk, indigo dye, saltpetre, tea, and opium. The Company long held a privileged position within the British government, and was frequently granted special rights and privileges, including trade monopolies and exemptions, which caused much resentment among its competitors. The Company remained a powerful force until it was dissolved in 1874.

The British Fleet Forming a Line of Algiers; 1829 Distemper on canvas Robert Salmon English; 1775-1845 or after active in U.S. 1828-1842

Trafalgar: The Storm after the Battle. The tempestuous weather which followed the Battle of Trafalgar wrecked many of the prizes, 21st October, 1805.

boiling blubber, whalers at work in south seas, plate from book dated 1876

Anglo-Dutch Fleet in the Bay of Algiers, Aug. 26, 1816, by Nicolaas Baur, 1818, Dutch painting, oil on panel. The fleet was backing up an ultimatum to release the Europeans captives (BSLOC_2016_2_231)

The Battle of Dunkirk, Willem van de Velde (I), 1659 painting The sea battle against the Spaniards at Dunkirk, February 18, 1639. A fleet of Dutch warships, seen on the mirror. canvas. ink battle (+ sailing-ships). sailing-ship, sailing-boat Dunkirk

Line engraving of the Capture of Louisbourg. The Prudent burned and the Bienfaisant captured. Engraved by P.C. Canot. Dated 1758

Battle of Trafalgar Artist Unknown

"BATALLA NAVAL" (SIGLOS XVII-XVIII). LA CORBETA FRANCESA "BAYONNOISE", de tres palos y vela cuadrada, ABORDANDO A LA FRAGATA INGLESA "AMBUSCADE". Grabado del siglo XIX.

'The Squadron Before Amoy', c1880. Artist: Unknown.

Mezzotint of the Battle of Solebay. The burning of the Royal James by a Dutch fire ship. Print by E. Kirkhall. Dated 1672

The Battle of Navarino, October 1827. The Allies insistence that the Porte should observe the clauses of its agreement led to the destruction of the Turkish Fleet and quite recently to wonderful stories of treasure sunk at the bottom of Navarino Bay.

War ship at the beach, Jurriaan Cootwijck, after Ludolf Bakhuysen, 1724 - 1798 print A turbulent sea with different ships, including a galle. In the foreground three men on the dunes. Amsterdam paper coast (+ landscape with figures, staffage)

Bombardment of Algiers by the United Anglo-Dutch Naval Squadron, 1816, by Martinus Schouman, 1823, Dutch painting, oil on canvas. The strike was to gain the release of captive Europeans by the North African Barbary states (BSLOC_2016_2_233)

Destruction of the Danish fleet during the Battle of Copenhagen, April 2, 1081, print. Napoleonic Wars, Denmark, 19th century.

The ship Conde de Venadito, of the Spanish Navy army, saying goodbye to the squadron at Cape Spartel, Morocco. Old XIX century engraved illustration from La Ilustracion Española y Americana 1894

Guerra de África. Año 1860. Escuadra española delante de Ceuta. Grabado de 1860.

The Attack of the Combined Anglo-Dutch Squadron on Algiers, 1816. Dating: 1817. Measurements: h 61 cm × w 86 cm; d 5.5 cm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Author: Gerardus Laurentius Keultjes.

Museo Militar de Menorca, antiguo cuartel de Cala Corb, plaza central de Es Castell, construido por los británicos en 1771, Menorca, balearic islands, Spain.

Engraving depicts the surrender of the French fleet anchored in Cadiz, during the Peninsular War. Dated 1808

Engraving depicting a scene in New Orleans. Dated 19th century

The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805; from the engraving by W Miller after C Stanfield; Black and White Illustration;

The Battle of the Kegs, January 6, 1778, an incident in Philadelphia harbour during the American Revolutionary War. From a 19th century illustration.

The Pacific War. Battle of Iquique. The Chilean corvette "Esmeralda" is sunk by the Peruvian ironclad "Huascar" on May 21, 1879. Engraving.

BURNING OF THE MARINE SOCIETY'S TRAINING-SHIP THE WARSPITE, OFF CHARLTON, engraving 1876

The Surrender of the Tennessee, Battle of Mobile Bay, during the American Civil War

'Defeat of the Saracenic Fleet Before Constantinople', (717-718), 1890. Creator: Unknown.

Naval battle of Ragusa (22 November 1617). The Spanish squadron of the Viceroy of Naples, Duke of Osuna (Pedro Téllez-Girón y Velasco) (1574-1624), under the command of Admiral Francisco de Rivera (ca. 1582-1646), defeated the squadron of the Republic of Venice led by Admiral Lorenzo Veniero (ca. 1582-1646). Illustration by Serra Pausas. "Glorias Españolas" (Glories of Spain). Volume IV. Published in Barcelona, 1890. Author: Joan Serra Pausas (active 1861-1902). Spanish artist.

navigation pirates pirate ships ""Royal Fortune"" und ""Ranger"" Whyda Road 11.1.1722 engraving ""A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most notorious Pyrates"" by Captain Charles Johnson London 1724,

The Attack on the batteries at the entrance of Acquia Creek, Potomac River, by the United States Vessels USS Pawnee, USS Yankee, USS Thomas Freeborn, USS Anacosta and USS Resolute, June 1st 1861

The departure of the English, Dutch, Zeeland and French fleets after the battle of Solebay on June 7, 1672. In the background burns the 'Royal James' of Mountagu. Further also: 'Royal Sovereign' of Jordan, 'Eendracht' of Van Nes, 'Charles' of Harman, 'St-Andrew' of Kempthorne, 'Seven Provinces' of De Ruyter, 'Elephant' of Sweers, 'Virgin of Dordrecht' of De Liefde, 'Dolphin' of Van Ghent, 'Gouda' of De Haen, 'Weapon of Enkhuizen' of Vlugh and 'Pacificatie' of Schram, The end of the naval battle at Solebay, June 7, 1672, draughtsman: Willem van de Velde (I), 1673, paper, pen, brush, h 410 mm × w 725 mm

Arrival of Sir George Grey in H.M.S. Brisk, 14 February 1867. From the album: Old Port gelatin silver prints, black-and-white prints, landscapes

The War in China - Naval Reinforcements for the China Squadron, 1857. Royal Navy ships, Second Opium War: Furious, 16 guns; Sanspareil, 71 guns; Transit, 6 guns; Retribution, 28 guns; Shannon, 51 guns; Himalaya, 6 guns. 'The vessels in the accompanying Sketch are those which are now being commissioned in this country and dispatched with troops to China...In addition to this fleet from England, and those already assembled at the seat of war, a far more powerful reinforcement than either of these is ordered from neighbouring stations to join Admiral Seymour's squadron with all dispatch, and ther

Captain George Anson's ship HMS Centurion fighting a Spanish "Manila Galleon" on the coast of South America, circa 1739 - 40

This 1890 illustration shows the "exploit of Major Stobo." Major Stobo was a Scotch-Virginia soldier in the French and Indian War (1754-1759). He was known for his exploit as a colonial prisoner of war in Canada during the war. Convicted as a spy, Stobo was sentenced to death, although his sentence was commuted to closed confinement. With the help of friends, he escaped twice. Both times, he was recaptured. However, the third time he tried, he got away safely. In disguise, he and eight other people set out in a canoe. It took them ten days to paddled two hundred miles down the St. Lawrence R

Attack on the French invasion flotilla at Boulogne, France, 15-16 August 1801 (1882-1884). Artist: Unknown

Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine). Warships SMS Ariadne (steam corvette) and SMS Bismarck (Bismarck-class corvette) destined for the east coast of Africa. Engraving. The Spanish and American Illustration (La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana), 1884.

The International Naval Festival at Portsmouth: meeting of the Reine Hortense and the Osborne, 1865. 'There are few places in which a naval spectacle can be seen to greater advantage than the broad expanse of water separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland, in which this splendid squadron lay moored. It was here that the nine most powerful ironclads in the navy of France, accompanied by four frigates, steamed slowly in and each dropped her anchor opposite to one of her English sisters. As soon as the Solferino had anchored, the royal yacht Osborne and the Reine Hortense stood towards ea

The Elizabethan man of war was a British Royal Navy expression for a powerful warship or frigate from the 16th to the 19th century. This image dates to the early 1900s.

Fokke, Simon, Amsterdam, Illustration for world history, Battle of Lepanto, Parisian Murder, 1571, and massacre during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in Paris, 1572, Representations from world history. Above: Drowned people during the Battle of Lepanto. Below: Massacre of the Huguenots in Paris during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Two representations from one plate, numbered respectively: CLXVII and CLXVIII. The sheet is marked at the top left: XI.D., print, book illustration, prints, images, height 171 mm, width 111 mm, Noord-Nederlands, 1712-09-01 - 1784-04-10, print maker, printmaker, 1722 - 1784, paper, papier, etching, etchings, Work conception

The Phoenix and the Rose engaged by the Enemys Fire ships & Galleys on the 16th August 1776

THE UNITED STATES FRIGATE CONSTELLATION WITH RELIEF STORES FOR IRISH DISTRESS OFF HAULBOWLINE, IN CORK HARBOUR, 1880

Nelson in chase of the French Fleet

The Nashville and Tuscarora at Southampton, England durind the American Civil War, 1862

Destroying and burning by the water geuzen of the Spanish ships at Den Briel, 1572, Hendrik Vettewinkel, 1832 drawing Destroying and burning through the water geuzen under Treslong and Roobol of the vessels with which the Spaniards had landed to resume the Briel, April 5, 1572. paper. ink. pencil pen / brush battle (+ naval force). historical events and situations. ships (in general) - CC - more than one ship. sea Brielle

THE ASHANTEE WAR

His Majesty's Ship Glatton Attacking a French Squadron, Robert Dodd, 1748-1816, British, 1796, Aquatint, Sheet: 19 1/2 x 26 1/4in. (49.5 x 66.7cm)

Battle of La Hogue, Illustration, Ridpath's History of the World, Volume III, by John Clark Ridpath, LL. D., Merrill & Baker Publishers, New York, 1897

Intervention of the British army in Egypt, 1882. Events of Alexandria. The British steam gunboat HMS Condor (launched on 28 December 1876), Royal Navy Condor-class. Commanded by Lord Charles Beresford. It took part in the bombing of Fort Marabout. Engraving by Tomás Carlos Capuz. La llustración Española y Americana, 1882.

Edad media. Combate naval. Siglo XIV. Ilutración por Puiggarí. Grabado por Furnó. Historia de Cataluña y de la Corona de Aragón, por Victor Balaguer. Barcelona,1862.

Illustration depicting the Weser workmen destroying Denis Papin's steamboat. Denis Papin (1647-1713) a French psychist, mathematician and inventor. Dated 18th Century

Victorious bombardment of Port Royal, S.C. Nov. 7th. 1861, by the Union fleet, commanded by Commodore Samuel Dupont (BSLOC_2018_6_182)

Dissidents are despatched from Brest to French prisons in South America. Date: December 1851

Bombardment and capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard Port Royal South Carolina November 7 1861

War of the Two Peters (1356-1369). Conflict between King Peter I of Castile (1334-1369) and King Peter IV of Aragon (1319-1387). Battle of Barcelona (1359). The Castilian fleet arrived in Barcelona on 9 June 1359, under the command of Admiral Egidio Boccanegra. The Aragonese fleet succeeded in repulsing an attack that took place and the Castilian fleet fled. The Castilian squadron in the harbour of Barcelona. Engraving by Serra Pausas. "Glorias Españolas" (Glories of Spain). Volume II. Published in Barcelona, 1890. Author: Joan Serra Pausas (active 1861-1902).

English man-of-war - Isaac Sailmaker, circa 1720

The Capture of the Slaver Bolodora, 6 June 1829 by John Moore, oil on panel. The Royal Navy ship Pickle captured the Spanish slave ship Bolodora

The English Fleet at Anchor with the Admiral's Ship Signalling to the Vice and Rear Admirals of the White and Blue Squadrons. Peter Monamy (1681-1749). Oil on canvas, 83.7 x 155cm.

Anglo-Spanish War (1796-1802). French Revolutionary Wars. Assault on Cadiz (1797). It was part of the military operation of the naval blockade of the port of Cadiz by the Royal Navy. Bombardment of the Spanish port of Cadiz by the British fleet commanded by John Jervis and Horatio Nelson (June 1797). Nelson was appointed to the command of the inshore squadron blockading the port. The Spanish naval forces commanded by Jose de Mazarredo and Federico Gravina successfully repelled the attacks and defeated the English fleet. Engraving. Historia del Levantamiento, guerra y revolucion de Espana by the Conde de Toreno. Madrid, 1851.

Panama: 'The Capture of Puerto Bello, 21 November 1739'. Oil on canvas painting by George Chambers Senior (1803-1840), 1838. Portobello was founded in 1597 by Spanish explorer Francisco Velarde y Mercado. From the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries it was an important silver-exporting port in New Granada on the Spanish Main and one of the ports on the route of the Spanish treasure fleets. It was attacked on November 21, 1739, and captured by a British fleet, commanded by Admiral Edward Vernon during the War of Jenkins' Ear.

Aquatint of the Battle of Algeciras. The Caesar bending sails and warping out of the Harbour at Gibraltar before the battle. Print by Hubert and Stadler. Dated 1801

Ichaboe - mode of shipping the guano, 1844. Loading bird manure off the coast of south-west Africa. Account of Lieutenant Petrie: 'Up to the 24th of May, in this year alone, twelve ships have already arrived in Liverpool, whose united cargoes amount to 6670 tons. A large number of ships are now loading, by last accounts, at Ichaboe, and many more are on their way with cargoes from that place, so that the market will, no doubt, be immediately supplied with abundance, at very moderate prices'. This was the guano equivalent of the American gold rush. From "Illustrated London News", 1844

Journey of the Kings of Spain, Alfonso XII (1857-1885) and Maria Cristina de Habsburgo-Lorena (1858-1929), to the northwestern provinces. Gijón, Asturias. Arrival of the squadron at the port, to receive the kings on board. Drawing by A. de Caula. Engraving by Vela. The Spanish and American Illustration (La Ilustración Española y Americana). September 30, 1884. Author: Eugenio Vela (d. 1895). Spanish engraver. Antonio de Caula (1847-ca. 1904). Spanish artist.

Following a naval bombardment, the port of Messina is invested by the royalist forces of Ferdinando II, king of the Two Sicilies. Date: September 1848

The Burning of the Royal James at the Battle of Solebay, 28 May 1672 - Willem van de Velde the Younger

The Duke of Clarence Landing at Stade, Prussia.

Engraving depicting the Arsenal at Naples, Italy. Dated 1860

Bombardment and Capture of Island Number Ten.”. Artist: Currier & Ives, American, active 1834-1907

Nelson is fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. Horatio Nelson, Lord Nelson, Viscount Nelson, 1758 - 1805. British naval commander. After a 19th ce

Lithograph of the bombardment of Sweaborg with mortar boats in action. Lithograph by Dickenson Bros. Dated 1855

Emperor Napoleon, a prisoner after the Battle of Waterloo, is taken on board the British ship HMS 'Bellerophon' to journey to Plymouth and then to exile on Saint Helena Date: July 1815

NAVAL COMBAT OF EL CALLAO FRIGATE VILL MADRID. Author: RAFAEL MONLEON. Location: MUSEO NAVAL / MINISTERIO DE MARINA. MADRID.

Marine, Richard Nibbs, United Kingdom

A torpedo near Villau will be put into position, German-French campaign of 1870 / Ein Torpedo bei Villau wird in Stellung gebracht, deutsch-französischer Feldzug von 1870, historical, digital improved reproduction of an original from the 19th century / digitale Reproduktion einer Originalvorlage aus dem 19. Jahrhundert, Originaldatum nicht bekannt, Kolorierung, koloriert, handkoloriert, Hand-colouring, hand coloured, colored.

1860s OCTOBER 1864 DESTRUCTION OF CONFEDERATE RAM CSS ALBEMARLE BY LT. WILLIAM BARKER CUSHING AT PLYMOUTH NORTH CAROLINA USA

bombardeo de Argel, por la escuadra anglo-holandesa, al mando del almirante Pellew, 1816, oleo sobre tela, Museo Militar de Menorca, antiguo cuartel de Cala Corb, plaza central de Es Castell, construido por los británicos en 1771, Menorca, balearic islands, Spain.

Northern Netherlands, Velde, Willem van de (I), The Battle of Solebay, 7 June 1672, just after two o'clock in the afternoon, seen from the northwest: right part, The Battle of Solebay between the Dutch and united English and French fleets on 7 June 1672. The following Dutch ships can be seen on this sheet: the 'Groot Hollandia' by Van Brakel, the 'Ridderschap' by Johan van Nes, the 'Zeven Provincieën' by Michiel de Ruyter, 'Dolfijn' by Van Ghent, 'Maagd van Dordrecht' by Johan de Liefde and 'Eendracht' by Aert van Nes. English ships are also depicted: 'Royal James', 'Charles' by John Harman, 'London' by Edward Spragge, 'Victory' by Lord Ossory, 'St. Michael' by the Duke of York, 'Royal Katherine', 'Fairfax', 'Cambridge' and 'Resolution'. The drawing forms a whole together with RP-T-00-403., drawing, teken, drawings, tekeningen, Frederik Muller Historieplaten, De Slag bij Solebay, 7 juni 1672, shortly after two o'clock in the afternoon, seen from the northwest: right part. This drawing,

Spanish Armada. Spanish fleet sent by Spanish king Philip II (1527-1598) against England in 1588, under the command of Alonso Perez de Guzman, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia (1550-1615). Destruction of the Spanish Armada. Engraving.

The First Anglo-Chinese War (1839-42), known popularly as the First Opium War, was fought between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Qing Dynasty of China, with the aim of securing economic benefits from trade in (and forcing opium on) China. In 1842, the Treaty of Nanking - the first of what the Chinese called the unequal treaties - granted an indemnity to Britain, the opening of five treaty ports, and the cession of Hong Kong Island, ending the monopoly of trading in the Canton System. The war marked the end of China's isolation and the beginning of modern Chinese history.

Eduardo de Martino, combate naval del 30 de jujio de 1826, 1888, óleo sobre tela, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (MNBA) ,Buenos Aires, republica Argentina, cono sur, South America.

Edgar or Eadgar, c.944 - 975, aka Edgar the Peaceful or the Peaceable. King of England from 959 -975. During his coronation other kings of Britain came to give their allegiance to Edgar, including

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