French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war
Cap de la Hève, 1803 (Cap de la Hève, Upper Normandy, France) 49°30'36"N 00°03'57"E
published Sept 1803Aquatint with etching and engraving; printed on paper; hand coloured; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto | 41.7 x 57.2 cm (image) | RCIN 735040
Captain Sidney Smith (later Admiral Sir Sidney Smith, 1764-1840) commanded the 38-gun frigate Diamond, shown here in the port of Le Havre (49°29'37"N 00°06'27"E), where he was attacked and overpowered by French luggers and taken prisoner.
Dedication: [bottom centre, below title and text:] To J. Spencer Smith, ESQ.R M.P. F.R.S. F.S.A. &c. this Print, from the original Drawing in his collection, is respectfully inscribed by E. Orme.
Additional text: [bottom left, faintly engraved:] Proof.
For further reading, see:
R. Morriss, 'Smith, Sir (William) Sidney (1764–1840)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edn 2009.
Condition: no fold lines.
Edward Orme (1775-28 September 1848) (publisher) [bottom centre, below dedication:] Published for the Proprietor, as the Act directs, Sept.r 1803, by Edw.d Orme, His Majesty’s Printseller: 59, New Bond Street, London
John Thomas Serres (1759-1825) (artist) [bottom left, below edge of view:] Drawn by J.T. Serres, from a sketch by J. Boxer, R.N.
Joseph Jeakes (1778-c. 1829) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Engraved by J. Jeakes.
John Spencer Smith (1769-1845) (dedicatee)
Subject(s)
Navy-FranceRoyal NavyWatermark: None visible
Condition: no fold lines
36.7 x 57.2 cm (neatline)
41.7 x 57.2 cm (image)
44.6 x 63.0 cm (platemark)
45.5 x 63.9 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
His Majesty’s Frigate the DIAMOND, commanded by Captain Sir Sidney Smith, K.S. being on a cruise off CAPE LA HEVE. It being thought practicable to cut out a French Lugger of 12 Guns (10 mounted) & 50 Men / named LE VENGEUR, laying in the Inner road of Havre de Grace, the following force was detached for that purpose on 18 April 1796, viz. 5 Boats, with one 18lb. Carronade, manned by 32 Men commanded by Sir Sidney Smith in person, and the following Officers, Knight, / acting Lieutenant, Goodall, Mate, I.W. Wright, I. Boxer, Carroll, Morris, Beecroft, Coulson, Harvey, Midshipmen … [bottom, below view, a long description of the action, to each side of the coat of arms of [John Spencer Smith]; text begins]
Dedication:
[bottom centre, below title and text:] To J. Spencer Smith, ESQ.R M.P. F.R.S. F.S.A. &c. this Print, from the original Drawing in his collection, is respectfully inscribed by E. Orme.
Additional text:[bottom left, faintly engraved:] Proof.
Annotations:
George III heading [black pencil:] Military Naval Engagement at Havre de Grace 18 April 1796 Port Folio No 5.
Other annotations: (Recto) [the date in the engraved text is underlined in black pencil.] (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil, obscured by paper backing: the old heading; bottom left, black pencil:] 114.a; [top left, black pencil:] 15; [top right, black pencil:] 12; [bottom right, black pencil:] 1796-12; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 15.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement Representation of the Action between four Boats commanded by Captain Sir Sidney Smith, and two French Luggers on the inner road of Havre de Grace, on the 18.th of April 1796: by I. T. Serres from a sketch by Boxer, engraved by Jeakes and published by Orme, 1803.
Subject(s)
Cap de la Hève, Upper Normandy, France (49°30'36"N 00°03'57"E)
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. This print is similar to Parker 114.a which lacks the imprint (it may have been trimmed).
R. Morriss, 'Smith, Sir (William) Sidney (1764–1840)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edn 2009.
Page revisions
25 May 2024
Current version
