Print depicting the English and French lines of battle at the Battle of Minorca, 1756. The print was published in Samuel Johnson's 'Literary Magazine and Universal Review', vol. 1, no. 5 (15 Aug. - 15 Sept. 1756) accompanying the lead article of the issue entitled 'Explanation of the Plate and of the Signals given by the English Admiral, taken by an Officer on board the Fleet.' The action took place about 20 miles north-east of Port Mahon harbour and was the inconclsive one in which Vice-Admiral John Byng failed to dislodge French sea control supporting their land siege of Fort St Philip on the south side of the harbour entrance. The surrender of the Fort sealed the loss of Minorca by Britain until it was returned in 1763 at the end of the Seven Years War. Byng was subsequently court-martialled and shot early in 1757 for 'failure to do his utmost' in the face of the enemy under Article 12 of the revised Articles of War of 1749. Both at the time and subsequently it has generally been considered a travesty of justice and political expediency, albeit strictly speaking legal. [PvdM 6/18]