21st Oct, 2009 12:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Victory)
27
[M] ATTRIBUTED TO NICHOLAS POCOCK (1740-1821)<br/>Sir...
ATTRIBUTED TO NICHOLAS POCOCK (1740-1821)
Sir James Saumarez action in the Gut of Gibraltar, a set of three pictures:
1. The Spanish 1st Rate Real Carlos ablaze after being engaged by H.M.S. Superb in the Gut of Gibraltar, 12th July 1801; together with two companion seapieces: 2. A British '74' (probably H.M.S. Superb) heeling in rough seas; and 3. A lugger, a brig and a cutter running before the wind in a heavy swell
Sepia wash and pencil on paper
1. 9 x 13in. (23 x 33cm.) Laid down on card
2. 12 x 18¼in. (30.5 x 46.3cm.)
3. 12½ x 19¼in. (32 x 49cm.)
(3)
The action in the Gut of Gibraltar on 12th July 1801 was a spirited sequel to the battle of Algeçiras fought six days before. The British squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez in the Caesar, defeated a much larger Franco-Spanish squadron of nine ships under the joint command of Vice-Admiral de Moreno and Rear-Admiral Linois, both flying their flags in the Spanish frigate Sabina. At 3.00pm, by which time the enemy had been at sea for about three hours, Saumarez ordered his squadron to weigh anchor and give chase; at 8.40pm, even though none of the enemy were in sight, Saumarez signalled Captain Keats in Superb to press ahead and engage the enemy's rear as soon as he was able. At 11.20pm Keats sighted two large Spanish first rates and immediately engaged the 112-gun Real Carlos. After only three broadsides from Superb, Real Carlos had lost her foretopmast and was ablaze; seeing the Spanish crew abandoning ship, Keats moved onto a fresh opponent and it is the scene he left behind which the artist has captured here. The action finally ended, with a memorable British victory, shortly after 8.00am the following morning and Saumarez returned home to become a Knight of the Bath with a pension of £1200 a year.
Although none of the three sketches offered here is inscribed, it seems probable that all depict the same action. The principal scene is readily identifiable and the view of the '74' is almost certainly H.M.S. Superb. As far as the third piece is concerned, the 8-gun brig Louisa was part of Saumarez's force and since the squadron had sailed out of harbour at Gibraltar, it seems perfectly plausible that the lugger and the cutter came out with the larger ships to observe the action from a distance.
Sir James Saumarez action in the Gut of Gibraltar, a set of three pictures:
1. The Spanish 1st Rate Real Carlos ablaze after being engaged by H.M.S. Superb in the Gut of Gibraltar, 12th July 1801; together with two companion seapieces: 2. A British '74' (probably H.M.S. Superb) heeling in rough seas; and 3. A lugger, a brig and a cutter running before the wind in a heavy swell
Sepia wash and pencil on paper
1. 9 x 13in. (23 x 33cm.) Laid down on card
2. 12 x 18¼in. (30.5 x 46.3cm.)
3. 12½ x 19¼in. (32 x 49cm.)
(3)
The action in the Gut of Gibraltar on 12th July 1801 was a spirited sequel to the battle of Algeçiras fought six days before. The British squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez in the Caesar, defeated a much larger Franco-Spanish squadron of nine ships under the joint command of Vice-Admiral de Moreno and Rear-Admiral Linois, both flying their flags in the Spanish frigate Sabina. At 3.00pm, by which time the enemy had been at sea for about three hours, Saumarez ordered his squadron to weigh anchor and give chase; at 8.40pm, even though none of the enemy were in sight, Saumarez signalled Captain Keats in Superb to press ahead and engage the enemy's rear as soon as he was able. At 11.20pm Keats sighted two large Spanish first rates and immediately engaged the 112-gun Real Carlos. After only three broadsides from Superb, Real Carlos had lost her foretopmast and was ablaze; seeing the Spanish crew abandoning ship, Keats moved onto a fresh opponent and it is the scene he left behind which the artist has captured here. The action finally ended, with a memorable British victory, shortly after 8.00am the following morning and Saumarez returned home to become a Knight of the Bath with a pension of £1200 a year.
Although none of the three sketches offered here is inscribed, it seems probable that all depict the same action. The principal scene is readily identifiable and the view of the '74' is almost certainly H.M.S. Superb. As far as the third piece is concerned, the 8-gun brig Louisa was part of Saumarez's force and since the squadron had sailed out of harbour at Gibraltar, it seems perfectly plausible that the lugger and the cutter came out with the larger ships to observe the action from a distance.
Sold for £5,208
Estimated at £3,000 - £4,000
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
ATTRIBUTED TO NICHOLAS POCOCK (1740-1821)
Sir James Saumarez action in the Gut of Gibraltar, a set of three pictures:
1. The Spanish 1st Rate Real Carlos ablaze after being engaged by H.M.S. Superb in the Gut of Gibraltar, 12th July 1801; together with two companion seapieces: 2. A British '74' (probably H.M.S. Superb) heeling in rough seas; and 3. A lugger, a brig and a cutter running before the wind in a heavy swell
Sepia wash and pencil on paper
1. 9 x 13in. (23 x 33cm.) Laid down on card
2. 12 x 18¼in. (30.5 x 46.3cm.)
3. 12½ x 19¼in. (32 x 49cm.)
(3)
The action in the Gut of Gibraltar on 12th July 1801 was a spirited sequel to the battle of Algeçiras fought six days before. The British squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez in the Caesar, defeated a much larger Franco-Spanish squadron of nine ships under the joint command of Vice-Admiral de Moreno and Rear-Admiral Linois, both flying their flags in the Spanish frigate Sabina. At 3.00pm, by which time the enemy had been at sea for about three hours, Saumarez ordered his squadron to weigh anchor and give chase; at 8.40pm, even though none of the enemy were in sight, Saumarez signalled Captain Keats in Superb to press ahead and engage the enemy's rear as soon as he was able. At 11.20pm Keats sighted two large Spanish first rates and immediately engaged the 112-gun Real Carlos. After only three broadsides from Superb, Real Carlos had lost her foretopmast and was ablaze; seeing the Spanish crew abandoning ship, Keats moved onto a fresh opponent and it is the scene he left behind which the artist has captured here. The action finally ended, with a memorable British victory, shortly after 8.00am the following morning and Saumarez returned home to become a Knight of the Bath with a pension of £1200 a year.
Although none of the three sketches offered here is inscribed, it seems probable that all depict the same action. The principal scene is readily identifiable and the view of the '74' is almost certainly H.M.S. Superb. As far as the third piece is concerned, the 8-gun brig Louisa was part of Saumarez's force and since the squadron had sailed out of harbour at Gibraltar, it seems perfectly plausible that the lugger and the cutter came out with the larger ships to observe the action from a distance.
Sir James Saumarez action in the Gut of Gibraltar, a set of three pictures:
1. The Spanish 1st Rate Real Carlos ablaze after being engaged by H.M.S. Superb in the Gut of Gibraltar, 12th July 1801; together with two companion seapieces: 2. A British '74' (probably H.M.S. Superb) heeling in rough seas; and 3. A lugger, a brig and a cutter running before the wind in a heavy swell
Sepia wash and pencil on paper
1. 9 x 13in. (23 x 33cm.) Laid down on card
2. 12 x 18¼in. (30.5 x 46.3cm.)
3. 12½ x 19¼in. (32 x 49cm.)
(3)
The action in the Gut of Gibraltar on 12th July 1801 was a spirited sequel to the battle of Algeçiras fought six days before. The British squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez in the Caesar, defeated a much larger Franco-Spanish squadron of nine ships under the joint command of Vice-Admiral de Moreno and Rear-Admiral Linois, both flying their flags in the Spanish frigate Sabina. At 3.00pm, by which time the enemy had been at sea for about three hours, Saumarez ordered his squadron to weigh anchor and give chase; at 8.40pm, even though none of the enemy were in sight, Saumarez signalled Captain Keats in Superb to press ahead and engage the enemy's rear as soon as he was able. At 11.20pm Keats sighted two large Spanish first rates and immediately engaged the 112-gun Real Carlos. After only three broadsides from Superb, Real Carlos had lost her foretopmast and was ablaze; seeing the Spanish crew abandoning ship, Keats moved onto a fresh opponent and it is the scene he left behind which the artist has captured here. The action finally ended, with a memorable British victory, shortly after 8.00am the following morning and Saumarez returned home to become a Knight of the Bath with a pension of £1200 a year.
Although none of the three sketches offered here is inscribed, it seems probable that all depict the same action. The principal scene is readily identifiable and the view of the '74' is almost certainly H.M.S. Superb. As far as the third piece is concerned, the 8-gun brig Louisa was part of Saumarez's force and since the squadron had sailed out of harbour at Gibraltar, it seems perfectly plausible that the lugger and the cutter came out with the larger ships to observe the action from a distance.
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Victory), 21st Oct, 2009
