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American War of Independence (1775-83)

George III’s maps and views showing the development of the war at home and abroad, from North America to India

JOHN BOYDELL (1720-1804)

Naval battle at Ushant, 1779

The distressed situation of the QUEBEC & the SURVEILLANTE / a French Ship of War. // Etat malheureux du QUEBEC et de la SURVEILLANTE / Vaisseau de Guerre Francois

published 1780

Engraving and etching; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper brought round the edges of the recto | 47.5 x 57.6 cm (image) | RCIN 734051

An engraving of a painting by Richard Paton of the three and a half hour long naval battle of 6 October 1779 which was fought off Ushant between HMS Quebec, under the command of Captain George Farmer, and the Surveillante, under the command of Captain Couédic de Kergoaler. The Quebec caught fire and exploded, and the British crew were rescued by the French. Captain George Farmer (b.1732) died in the battle. American War of Independence (1775-83).

Dedication: [bottom, below title:] In memory of the much lamented tho' glorious Death of Capt.n Farmer, / who when he had silenced his Enemy was blown up in his Ship after / an Action of three Hours & a half on the 6.th of October 1779. // A la memoire de la triste mais glorieuse Mort du Capitaine Farmer, / qui apres avoir fait taire le Feu de l'Enemi, perit dans l'Explosion / de son Vaisseau, apres trois heures et demie de Combat le 6.e Octobre 1779. / This Representation, is with great Veneration Dedicated to the Officers of the Royal Navy, by their most obedient Servant / Richard Paton.

Condition: one fold line.
  • John Boydell (1720-1804) (publisher) [bottom centre, below edge of view:] J. Boydell excudit 1780. 
    [bottom centre, below dedication:] Published Dec.r 12.th 1780, by John Boydell, Engraver, Cheapside. London.

    Richard Paton (1717-91) (artist) [bottom left, below edge of view:] Rich.d Paton Pinx.t

    Daniel Lerpiniere (1745-85) (engraver)

    James Fittler (1758-1835) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Fittler & Lerpiniere Sculp.nt

    Captain George Farmer (1732-79) (dedicatee)

  • Watermark: Indistinct

    Condition: one fold line

  • 44.0 x 57.6 cm (neatline)

    47.5 x 57.6 cm (image)

    49.0 x 60.2 cm (platemark)

    49.4 x 60.7 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    The distressed situation of the QUEBEC & the SURVEILLANTE / a French Ship of War. // Etat malheureux du QUEBEC et de la SURVEILLANTE / Vaisseau de Guerre Francois. [bottom, below view, in English and French, each title separated by two vertical lines]

    Dedication:

    [bottom, below title:] In memory of the much lamented tho' glorious Death of Capt.n Farmer, / who when he had silenced his Enemy was blown up in his Ship after / an Action of three Hours & a half on the 6.th of October 1779. // A la memoire de la triste mais glorieuse Mort du Capitaine Farmer, / qui apres avoir fait taire le Feu de l'Enemi, perit dans l'Explosion / de son Vaisseau, apres trois heures et demie de Combat le 6.e Octobre 1779. / This Representation, is with great Veneration Dedicated to the Officers of the Royal Navy, by their most obedient Servant / Richard Paton.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: [black pencil:] Military Naval Engagement 6 Oct 1779 Port folio No 5 – 8.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 79.a.; [bottom left, black pencil, obscured by paper backing: the old heading]; [left of centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 41; [top left, black pencil:] 41; [top right, black pencil, a letter?].

    K. Mil. dummy sheet:

    Title [ink:] The distressed situation of the Quebec, and the Surveillante a French Ship of War, / after the action of the 6.th of Oct.r 1779; by R. Paton, engraved by Fittler and Lerpiniere, / published by Boydell 1780 / Port-folio N.o [black pencil:] 5 - 2 Table /[in a modern hand, crossed out in black pencil:] UL Naval / [old heading, red ink:] Naval Engagement 6 Oct. 1779; [black pencil, erased, partly legible:] oversize folder Box XIV. 
    Watermark: JWHATMAN 1811. 
    Size: 48.1 x 33.2 cm (sheet).

    George III catalogue entry:

    Naval Engagement The distressed Situation of the Quebec and the Surveillante, a French Ship of War, after the Action of the 6.th of Oct.r 1779: by R. Paton, engraved by Fittler and Lerpiniere, published by Boydell, 1780.

  • Subject(s)

    Ushant, Brittany, France (48°27'27"N 05°05'46"W)

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    H. Parker, Naval battles from the collection of prints formed and owned by Commander Sir Charles Leopold Cust. With an introduction by C.N. Robinson, 2 vols., London 1911, no.79a

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024