Description

While Great Britain was at war with Spain in 1740, Commodore George Anson led a squadron of eight ships on a mission to disrupt or capture Spain's Pacific possessions, the voyage laid the basis for later scientific and survey expeditions by Captain Cook and others. Returning to Britain in 1744 by way of China and thus completing a circumnavigation, the voyage was notable for the capture of an Acapulco galleon but also considerable losses to disease with only 188 men of the original 1,854 surviving. Admiral of the Fleet George Anson, 1st Baron Anson PC, FRS, RN (23 April 1697 - 6 June 1762) was a British admiral and a wealthy aristocrat, noted for his circumnavigation of the globe and his role overseeing the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War.