Skip to main content
Advanced Search
1968-28, Map
THIS PLAN/ of the Harbour, Town and Forts of/ PORTO BELLO/ (Taken by Edward Vernon Esq.r/ VICE ADMIRAL of the BLUE/ on the 22.d of November 1739. With Six Men of War only,)
1968-28, Map

THIS PLAN/ of the Harbour, Town and Forts of/ PORTO BELLO/ (Taken by Edward Vernon Esq.r/ VICE ADMIRAL of the BLUE/ on the 22.d of November 1739. With Six Men of War only,)

Date1740
Cartographer Lieutenant Philip Durell (1707-1766)
Engraver William Henry Toms (fl. 1723-1758)
Publisher Samuel Harding (d. 1758)
Publisher William Henry Toms (fl. 1723-1758)
OriginEngland, London
MediumLine engraving on laid paper
DimensionsOverall: 17 3/8 × 23 5/8in. (44.1 × 60cm) Framed: 27 1/8 × 33 1/8 × 7/8in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1968-28
DescriptionThe lower left cartouche reads: "THIS PLAN/ of the Harbour, Town and Forts of/ PORTO BELLO/ (Taken by Edward Vernon Esq.r/ VICE ADMIRAL of the BLUE/ on the 22.d of November 1739. With Six Men of War only,)/ Drawn by Lieuten.t Philip Durell:/ Is most Humbly Inscribed to the/ R.t Hon:ble SIR CHARLES WAGER/ First Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty./ I do assure the Publick that this Plan is exactly copied from the Original (and only)/ Drawing brought over by me/ Ja: Rentone/ Charing Cross, March the 17.th 1740./ Published March 27.th 1740. and Sold by S. Harding on the Pavement in S.t Martin's Lane, and/ W.H. Toms Engraver in Union Court near Hatten Garden Holborn. Price One Shilling."

The bottom right center and corner of the map read: "P. Durell delin. November 1739./ W.H. Toms Sculpt 1740."
Label TextConflicts between England and Spain occurred from the time the two nations founded settlements in the New World. English merchants anxious to profit from Spanish riches in the New World petitioned the government to take military action. Vice Admiral Edward Vernon was among the most vocal advocates of war with Spain, boasting that he could easily capture the Spanish port of Portobello on the coast of Panama. An important relay point in transporting Peruvian silver to Spain, Portobello was considered the capital of that nation’s western empire. Vernon and his fleet of six ships reached Portobello on November 20, 1739. The next day, he attacked and captured Iron Castle at the mouth of the harbor, and the Spanish governor surrendered on November 22.