Capture & Destruction Spanish Frigates 1804
Capture & Destruction of Four Spanish Frigates Oct 5th 1805. Painted by T. Whitcombe. Engraved by T. Sutherland. Publish'd Mar 1st 1817 at 48 Strand for J. Jenkin's Naval Achievements. Included with the print is the original folio text pages account of the action as first published with the aquatint.
Original aquatint engraving on medium weight wove paper with wide margins. Good overall condition with exceptional original colour. The plate has the date of publication and the name of the publisher beneath the engraved title. The approx engraved image area of the plate is 7" x 10.25" (175mm x 260mm). Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm). The folio sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm).
Short extract from the folio text pages included: CAPTURE AND DESTRUCTION OF FOUR "SPANISH FRIGATES, OCTOBER 5, 1804 Extract of a Letter from Captain GRAHAM Moons, to the Hon. Admiral CORNWALLIS, dated October 6, 1804. SIR,—-Yesterday morning, Cape St. Mary bearing N. E. nine leagues, the Medusa made the signal for four sail W. by S.: I made the signal for a general chase; at eight a. m. discovered them to be four large Spanish frigates, which, on our approach, formed a line of battle ahead, and continued to steer on for Cadiz ; the van ship carrying abroad pennant, and the ship next to her a rear-admiral’s flag. Captain Gore’s being the headmost ship, placed the Medusa on the weather beam of the commodore; the Indefatigable took a similar position along side the rear-admiral; the Amphion and Lively each taking an opponent in the same manner, as they came up. After hailing to make them shorten sail, without effect, I fired a shot across the rear-admiral’s fore-foot. . .
James Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain. From the Year 1793 to 1817." As a record of naval events spanning a period of over twenty years it has no precedent. At no time prior to 1817 had a publisher attempted such a complete volume of documentary naval prints. It is the quality of accuracy which makes Jenkins so valuable" Roger Quarm curator of pictures at the National Maritime Museum 1998.
A genuine antique print over 200 years old.