Anglo-Dutch Attack on Gibraltar and the Battle of Vélez-Málaga

Oil on parchment (artist unknown), depicting the 2 related historical events that took place during the War of the Spanish Succession: the capture of Gibraltar (August 4, 1704) and the Battle of Vélez-Málaga (August 24, 1704).

In the foreground is a French 3-decker ship with 104 guns (probably Le Foudroyant, commanded by the Count of Toulouse in the Battle of Vélez-Málaga), and a cartouche with a topographic legend. In the background is the Bay of Algeciras and a bird's-eye view of Gibraltar, with the Anglo-Dutch fleet commanded by Admiral Rooke attacking the stronghold, and other fleets engaged in combat.

After Gibraltar was captured by the Anglo-Dutch fleet commanded by Admiral Rooke, which was fighting for the Hapsburg cause, the ships found themselves off the coast of Vélez-Málaga facing the Franco-Spanish fleet, led by the Count of Toulouse. It was here that the most significant naval battle of the war of succession took place. There was no clear winner in the battle and both sides claimed victory, despite the high number of casualties.