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Although deeply suspicious of England’s expanding commercial interests, Spain
at first remained neutral in the Seven Years War. Lured by the promise of Minorca
and Gibraltar, however, Charles III of Spain declared war against England in January
1762. Spain’s timing was poor. England’s naval supremacy had
already given her the upper hand in the West Indies, and in June a large
British fleet landed an army near Havana. Yellow fever and malaria took
a heavy toll on these forces, but reinforcements from North America made
it possible to continue the siege of Morro Castle, the key to Havana harbor.
The castle fell on July 30, forcing the city to surrender two weeks later.
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Click on a section of the map to enlarge.
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“A View of the City of the Havana, taken from the Road near Colonel Howe's Battery.” Engraving by Edward
Rooker after drawing by Elias Durnford and etching by Paul Sandby. |
