Destruction of Danish Fleet Copenhagen 1801 Plate II
Destruction of the Danish Fleet before Copenhagen Apr 2 1801. Plate II. Painted by T. Whitcombe. Engraved by T. Sutherland. Publish'd Oct 1st 1816 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 and watermarked J. Whatman 1816.
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: DESTRUCTION OF THE DANISH FLEET BEFORE COPENTHAGEN, APRIL 2, 1801. P L A T E II. OF the glorious and brilliant victory 03' Copenhagen, represents the termination of that decisive and hard-fought action. In the distance is the Danish admiralties ship on fire; to the left is the enemy’s fleet, with boats proceeding. from the British squadron to take possession of the ships which had surrendered....The six gun-boats Captain Rose is to place with the Jamaica, to make a raking fire upon No. 1. The gun-boats, it is presumed, may get far enough astern of No. l. to rake Nos. 3. and 4. and Captain Rose is to advance with the ship and vessels under his orders to the northward, as he may perceive the British fire to cease where he is first stationed. Nos. 1. 2. 3. and 4. being subdued, which is expected to happen at an early period, the Isis
and Agamemnon are to cut their cables, and immediately make sail and take their stations ahead of the Polyphemus, in order to support that part of the line. One flat boat, manned and armed is to remain upon the off-side of each line of battle ship. The remaining flat boat, with the boats for boarding, which will be sent by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, under the command of the first lieutenant of the London, are to keep as near the Elephant as possible, but out of the line of fire, and be ready to receive the directions of Lord Nelson. . .
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.