File:The Burning of Payta, November 1741 RMG BHC0358.tiff

In 1740, while Britain was at war with Spain, Commodore George Anson led a squadron of eight ships on a mission to disrupt or capture Spain's Pacific possessions. Returning to England in 1744 by way of China he thus completed a circumnavigation of the world. During this trip, on 13 November 1741 Commodore Anson made a surprise attack on the Spanish town of Payta, on the coast of what is now Peru. Although the attack was successful, the Governor escaped and with him the chance of a ransom was lost. Anson threatened to burn down the town if he did not give himself up, but this was refused, and Payta was consequently set on fire on 15 November. This resulted in plunder of £32,000 and six vessels sunk in the bay.

The painting by Samuel Scott was specially painted for Lord Anson after his return from his voyage and is based on an eye witness drawing by the ‘Centurion’s first lieutenant, Piercy Brett. Just to left of centre the ‘Centurion’ is shown at anchor together with the ‘Tryal’ one of the other five prizes to her left, and surrounded by wrecks of sunken vessels. To the right two more of the prizes are running down from Payta which is burning fiercely. The fifth prize is at anchor and a sunken vessel is in the extreme right foreground. The painting was originally owned by Anson, and probably commissioned by him.