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The engraving depicts the capture of the Spanish Silver Fleet in the Bay of Matanzas, near Havana Cuba by a Dutch fleet under the command of Pieter Pieterszoon Hein (1577-1629) in 1628. This print was taken from the Dutch historian, Isaac Commelin's 'Frederick Hendrick van Nassauw, Prince van Orangien, zijn leven en bedrijf,' vol. 1 (Amsterdam: Wwe Snellaert, 1651-1652). The Spanish treasure fleet was capture as it was sailing home from Mexico via Cuba. Four Spanish galleons fleeing Hein eventually got trapped in the Bay and surrendered. Hein captured over 11 million guilders and other expensive trade goods. A portrait medallion of Hein is at the top of the frame.

The collector, Arthur H. Clark, used this print from his collection to illustrate his book 'The History of Yachting, 1600-1815' (New York & London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1904), 8.


naval battles
1652-01-02
PERMANENT COLLECTION
Hart Nautical
Commelin, Isaac
ink; paper
10 3/4 in x 13 3/4 in
Netherlands: Amsterdam