French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war
Ushant, 1794
Situation of His Majesty’s Ship Defence Commanded by CAPT.N JAMES GAMBIER at the Close of the Action between the British & French Fleets on the 1.st of June, 1794
published 1 Jan 1796Aquatint with etching and engraving, printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto | 48.8 x 65.6 cm (image) | RCIN 735027.c
The French fleet of twenty-five sail of the line and fifteen frigates had sailed out of Brest in order to bring in homeward bound merchant ships. The fleet was discovered by the British on 28 May and battle was given on the 29th. The action was interrupted by fog and battle was not re-engaged until 1 June when the British fleet prevailed and captured seven vessels.
The Defence, shown here, was part of the van squadron under the command of Admiral Graves. Having been the first to break through the French line, the Defence was not initially supported by following British vessels and suffered considerable damage while engaging fire with the French ships.
Known as 'The Glorious First of June', this action was also known as the 'Third Battle of Ushant'. The British were commanded by Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe (1726-99), and the French were commanded by Admiral Louis-Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse (1747-1812). The British defeat of the French was only a tactical victory, the objective of capturing a French grain convoy was not achieved.
Condition: no fold lines; paper backing brought round edges of recto.
Alexander Becher (active 1796) (artist) [bottom left, below edge of view:] Drawn by Lieu.t A. Becher.
Robert Dodd (1748-1815) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Engraved by R. Dodd.
Benjamin Beale Evans (active 1787-1805) (publisher)
T. Matthews (active 1796) (publisher) [bottom centre, below title:] Published Jan.y 1st 1796 by B.B. Evans, Poultry London & T. Matthews, Point Gates Portsmouth.
Watermark: None visible
Condition: no fold lines; paper backing brought round edges of recto
44.9 x 65.6 cm (neatline)
48.8 x 65.6 cm (image)
51.5 x 69.9 cm (platemark)
52.9 x 71.0 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
Situation of His Majesty’s Ship Defence Commanded by CAPT.N JAMES GAMBIER at the Close of the Action between the British & French Fleets on the 1.st of June, 1794. [bottom, below view]
Annotations:
George III heading [black pencil:] Military Naval Engagement 1 June 1794 Port folio No 5.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, obscured by paper backing: the old heading; bottom left, black pencil:] 102.e; [top left, black pencil:] 15; [top right, black pencil:] 15; [bottom right, black pencil:] 1794-15; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 15.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval engagement Situation of H.M. Ship Defence, commanded by Captain James Gambier, at the close of the Action between the British and French Fleets on the 1.st of June 1794: by Lieut. A. Becher, engraved by Dodd, 1796.
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, London 1911, no.102.e
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
