This work by Paton depicts the taking of Porto Bello in 1739 and was probably commissioned by Sir Charles Knowles, who had arrived in Porto Bello five days after the capture had been enacted. It is probable that Paton was with Knowles at the time, and thus he would have taken first-hand accounts of the capture itself from the sailors involved. Knowles was tasked with destroying all of the remaining Spanish forts which he did over the next three weeks much to the approval of his Admiral.