The Harbour of PUERTO BELLO

Plan of the Harbour of CARTAGENA

LA VERA CRUZ or SAN JUAN DE ULUA

The HAVANA, in the island of Cuba, by observation Lat: 23º11'52 Long: from London 82º13'00 call'd by the Spaniards the Key of the West Indies: Improved from a plan of Admiral Vernon's. the Observer Don M. Ant. de Gamboa.

The Spaniards being possessed of all the Islands & outlets next ye Ocean the best & indeed only Way to Secure our Navigation in the American Seas & keep a Check on their Guarda Costas which hover about those outlets: will be to Seize some Port or Ports commanding ye entrance of ye Gulf of Florida thro / which all their Ships are obliged to pass in their return to Europe : and it appears from ye above Chart that the Havana is ye only Port in ye West Indies fit for the Purpose, the other Ports (except the Bay of Honda) being at too great a distance, and not so conveniently situated as Jamaica itself which already commands / ye Windward Passage. - La Vera Cruz was taken by Van Horn in 1683, with 774 Buccaniers; Cartagena, by ye French in 1697 with 3160 Men including 650 Buccaniers who alone took ye Strong fort of Boca chica in one day. The famous Morgan with no more than 400 English Freebooters, plunder'd Puerto Bello in 1669 & wou'd have / attacked ye Havana with only 700 English & French, had not some who knew ye place affirmed ye work required 1500 Men. Hence it may be judged if it be impregnable tho somewhat Strengthened since then; and how many regular forces would be Sufficient to take it. - Published pursuant to Act of Parliament Feb. 9 1739/40. by G. Foster at the White Horse in S. Pauls Church

The Seat of WAR in the WEST INDIES, containing / New & Accurate Plans of the HAVANA, LA VERA CRUZ, CARTAGENA and PUERTO BELLO (taken from Spanish draughts) also of SAN AUGUSTIN and the Bay of Honda in Cuba; with Prospects of the two first, one by Adml. Vernon the / other by Captn. Pearson: likewise a Chart or Map of the West Indies, exhibiting the Situation of those and other Ports with respect to the Gulf of Florida; the course of the Galleons and Flota, which are under a necessity of passing thro this Gulf in their re- / turn to Europe; the Windward Passage & the Parts where the Guarda Costas hover to intercept our Ships; in order to demonstrate that the Havana is the only Place the possession of which can possibly secure our Trade to the West Indies, and prevent the Spanish depredations.

A Map or Chart of the WEST INDIES, drawn from the best Spanish Maps, and regulated by Astronomical Observations

NB There will soon be Published a large & Accurate sheet Map of ye same Parts, with Plans of Citys Harbours and other Improvements.

A Prospect of the HAVANA distance 2 Leagues S. by E. Lat. 23º00'. by Adm. Vernon

Road from the Eastern castle By landing a few miles to the East, & getting possession of this Hill, which commands both ye Town & Castles ye place may be taken with no great difficulty, as Travellers have observ'd.

This City is reckon'd ye first for Strength in ye Spanish West Indies, the Port inaccessible to an Enemy, the Harbour very Safe & able to contain 1000 Sail the Air very healthy for ye Climate, & Provisions plentiful. Here the Galleons from Cartagena & Puerto Bello, & the Flota from la Vera Cruz, meet in their return to Spain to take in Provisions & proceed together for better Security.

View of the Castle of San Juan de Ulua from ye Town by Capt. Pearson.

Sr. F. Drake having taken and burnt Nombre de Dios in 1585, the Port was removed to Puerto Bello. This City was taken by Capt. Parker in 1601. and by Capt. Morgan (afterwards Sr. Henry & Deputy Govr. of Jamaica) who in 1669 with 460 men Surprized and plunder'd it, forcing all ye Castles Sword in hand. Next year he took & burnt Panamâ. It was taken a Second time by the Buccaniers a little before ye year 1680.