The taking of the 'Princesa' by the 'Lenox', 'Kent' and 'Oxford', 8 April 1740

This engraving depicts the taking of the Spanish 64-gun ‘Princesa’ (spelt ‘Princessa’ in the print) off Finisterre on 8 April 1840 by the British ships ‘Lenox’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Orford’ (incorrectly named in the print as ‘Oxford’). ‘Princesa’ is shown port-broadside battered in the foreground with her masts broken and sails shot through, looking almost like a hulk. Meanwhile, one of the British ships is firing at her whilst the other two stay back. Engraving by Nathaniel Parr, after Peter Monamy. Printed by Bowles & Carver, and Robert Wilkinson.

Text in English below image: 'The taking of the Princessa [sic] a Spanish Man of War, April 8, 1740, by his Majesties Ships the Lenox, Kent and Oxford. / N.B. The Princessa had 68 guns mounted, but was capable of mounting 86. Her breadth by the beam is 50 feet 4 inches which is four Inches broader than our first Rates: 152 foot by the Keel, which is two foot longer / than our first Rates: 166 foot 3 inches on the Gun Deck, & draws 26 foot Water abaft and 23 1/2 before which is a great deal more than our first Rates draw. She had 600 Men on board of whom 200 were killed. Her / Commander was an Old experience Officer & bravely fought the Ship for 6 hours.'

Object Details

ID: PAF4577
Type: Print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Bowles & Carver; Monamy, Peter Parr, Nathaniel Wilkinson, Robert
Vessels: Princesa (before 4/1740)
Date made: 8 Apr 1740
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 281 x 352 mm; Mount: 405 mm x 557 mm