French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war
Brest, 1798
The Action between the MARS and L'HERCULE, on the Night of April 21.st 1798
published Jul 1798Aquatint with etching and engraving; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto | 48.3 x 64.3 cm (image) | RCIN 735064.a
After a fierce duel between the two ships, the French suffered two hundred and fifty killed and wounded and surrendered to the British, under the command of Alexander Hood who was killed during the action. The French ship, a Téméraire class ship of the line and just hours out on her maiden voyage, was taken into the British Navy, becoming a 74-gun third rate ship of the line.
The companion to this print is at RCIN 735064.b.
Dedication: [bottom centre, below title:] To the Memory of CAPTAIN ALEXANDER HOOD, who in asserting the Cause of his Country Nobly fell in the Moment of VICTORY, / This Print, as a small Tribute of respect to his Manes, is humbly Offered to the Officers of the ROYAL NAVY. By their Obedient Servant / Rob.t Dodd.
Condition: no fold lines.
Robert Dodd (1748-1815) (artist, engraver and publisher) [bottom left, below edge of view:] Painted & Engraved by R. Dodd; [bottom right, below edge of view:] Published July 1798 at N.o 22 Lisson Green London.
Watermark: None visible
Condition: no fold lines
45.1 x 64.3 cm (neatline)
48.3 x 64.3 cm (image)
51.9 x 69.3 cm (platemark)
53.1 x 70.4 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
The Action between the MARS and L'HERCULE, on the Night of April 21.st 1798. [bottom centre, below view]
Dedication:
[bottom centre, below title:] To the Memory of CAPTAIN ALEXANDER HOOD, who in asserting the Cause of his Country Nobly fell in the Moment of VICTORY, / This Print, as a small Tribute of respect to his Manes, is humbly Offered to the Officers of the ROYAL NAVY. By their Obedient Servant / Rob.t Dodd.
Annotations:
George III heading [black pencil:] Military Naval Engagement 21 April 1798 Port folio No 5.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil; obscured by paper backing: the George III heading; bottom left, black pencil:] 128.f; [top right, black pencil:] 7; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 9
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement View of the Action between the Mars and l'Hercule, on the night of the 21.st of April 1798; by R. Dodd, 1798.
Subject(s)
Brest, Brittany, France (48°24'00"N 04°29'00"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, London 1911, no.128.f. One of a pair of aquatints by Dodd. Dodd’s address is wrongly given by Parker as ‘Lisson Grove’ instead of ‘Lisson Green’
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
