A chaotic scene of sailors in boats near burning ships and floating batteries in a harbor in the aftermath of the unsuccessful attempt by the Spanish and French to siege Gibraltar from the British. The Governor of Gibraltar, General George Augustus Eliott, stands with his outstretched right arm in a boat in the center of the scene. He directs British sailors to rescue the defeated troops. The men attempt to rescue the wounded and dying among the wreckage in the foreground. Survivors cling to the wreckage and climb into overloaded ships�� boats while others pray for their safety.
The large burning structure in the background was the Spanish floating battery. It was designed as an invincible secret weapon of the Spanish. Consisting of a hull from old warships, it was packed with layers of wet sand to protect it from fire and reinforced with water tanks to protect it from fire. However, it was no match for the British red-hot shot and a new depressing gun-carriage. Eliott's fierce attack led to victory and eventual peace negotiations on 5 February 1783. The battle became a popular subject for paintings.
