Torbay was designated as a National Historic Site in 1952 and given a plaque in 1972 because of its role in the landing of the British Forces prior to the Battle of Signal Hill in 1762. The plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in our Town Chambers reads:

"As the Seven Years War drew to a close in 1762 the Comte d’Haussonville led a final French attack on Newfoundland, seizing St. John’s. When word of the loss reached the British in New York preparations were at once begun to retake the place; a military force commanded by Colonel William Amherst was dispatched to Newfoundland, supported by a blockading fleet under Admiral Lord Colville. The British forces landed here at Torbay on 13 September and proceeded overland to St. John’s, which they forced the French to surrender, five days later."