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Seven Years War Naval Theatre - Battle of Cartagena

This 1758 map by Christian Friedrich von der Heyden, published in Augsburg by Tobias Conrad Lotter, presents the French Atlantic coastline during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763).

The map depicts the western and southwestern regions of France, including Brittany, Normandy, Aquitaine, Limousin, Poitou, Charentes, Languedoc, Roussillon, and Midi-Pyrénées, along with their proximity to the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean (Le Grand Océan). The map captures the strategic importance of France's coastal defenses, harbors, and naval operations during a period of heightened military conflict between France and Britain.

The ornate title cartouche at the top left, flanked by classical maritime imagery, highlights British naval incursions along the French coast. This theme aligns with the broader context of the Seven Years' War, during which Britain sought to weaken France's colonial and naval power. The map incorporates both English and French sources, ensuring a balanced depiction of the military engagements and fortifications. 

A key feature of the map is the large inset in the lower margin, which vividly illustrates the Battle of Cartagena, a significant naval engagement fought on February 25, 1758, off the coast of Cartagena, Spain (Murcia). This battle saw a British fleet under Admiral Henry Osborn intercept and defeat a French squadron commanded by Michel-Ange Duquesne de Menneville. The French fleet was attempting to reinforce the besieged fortress of Louisbourg in North America, but its failure to break through British lines contributed to the fortress's fall later that year.

The battle scene engraving portrays the intense maritime conflict, with numerous French and British warships locked in combat, cannons firing, and billowing smoke rising from the ships. Accompanying German and French text provides a detailed narrative of the engagement, emphasizing its strategic importance in securing British dominance in the Atlantic.  

The map also describes 5 other naval engagements as follows:

The actions described in the text correspond to British naval and military operations along the French coast in 1758, during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763). These expeditions were part of Britain's strategy to disrupt French maritime power, destroy fortifications, and weaken France's ability to support its overseas colonies. Below is an explanation of each action:

The Attack on the Île d'Aix and Blockade of La Rochelle and Rochefort (April 4–5, 1758)

On April 4, 1758, a British squadron of nine warships arrived off the coast of La Rochelle, an important French port. The next day, the fleet anchored at the Île d'Aix, located near Rochefort in the province of Aunis. The British forces landed troops, burned fortifications, and destroyed military works on the island. They then blockaded the ports of La Rochelle and Rochefort, preventing 50 ships bound for America from sailing. After demolishing the island's fortifications and wrecking five French warships, six frigates, and numerous merchant vessels, the British fleet withdrew.

The Large-Scale Expedition Against Brest and St. Malo (June 25, 1758)

On June 25, 1758, a major British fleet under Admirals George Anson and Edward Hawke set sail from the Isle of Wight. The fleet split near Guernsey, with the first division, led by Lord Anson, blockading the port of Brest, a major French naval base. The second division, under Admiral Howe, sailed toward St. Malo, an important privateering and military port.

• The British landed 2,000 troops at Cancale, capturing the position.
• They then landed an additional 1,500 troops and attacked St. Malo, seizing the suburb of St. Servan.
• Upon hearing that French reinforcements were arriving from Normandy, the British dispatched 8,000 troops to Pontorson but withdrew when they encountered resistance.
• Before retreating, they burned numerous ships and infrastructure in St. Malo and Cancale.
• On June 22, 1758, the British fleet departed the Bay of Cancale, concluding the expedition.

Bombardment of Le Havre (June 24, 1758)

On June 24, 1758, another British fleet appeared off Le Havre, one of France's key ports near the Seine estuary. The British bombarded the city, particularly targeting Harfleur, where they landed troops and damaged French ships. After causing significant destruction, the British withdrew to sea.

The Invasion and Destruction of Cherbourg (August 5–15, 1758)

Cherbourg, a strategic port in Normandy, was capable of accommodating 40 warships. On August 5, 1758, a large British fleet under Admiral Howe and General Thomas Bligh landed at Querqueville, near Cherbourg. The British landed troops and advanced toward Cherbourg, where the French governor, Count Rainaud, resisted briefly before surrendering.

• The British occupied Cherbourg and marched toward Valognes, imposing heavy contributions (forced levies) on the population.
• On August 15, 1758, the Duke of Harcourt arrived with French reinforcements, prompting the British to retreat to their ships.
• Before leaving, the British burned the harbor, destroyed the dockyard, and set fire to all vessels in the nearby ports of Barfleur and La Hougue.

The Battle of Saint-Cast (September 5–14, 1758)

The final British landing of the year occurred on September 5, 1758, near Cap Fréhel, about 24 miles from St. Malo.

• 4,000 British troops were deployed between St. Briac and St. Enogat, but bad weather disrupted their plans.
• By September 14, they began retreating toward their ships at Saint-Cast, pursued aggressively by French forces under the Duke of Aiguillon.
• The British attempted to re-embark, but the French launched a devastating counterattack, killing 900 men on the shore.
• The British lost 3,000 men, including 800 soldiers and 39 officers captured. The French suffered only 500 casualties.
• The British fleet withdrew in chaos, and General Bligh was disgraced upon returning to England, forced to resign his command.