French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war
Ushant, 1794
To the Right Honorable Richard Howe EARL HOWE VISCOUNT and Baron Howe of Langar in the County of Nottingham Viscount Howe and Baron of CLENAWLEY in the KINGDOM of Ireland and Vice Admiral of the White &c &c / This representation of...
published 1794Aquatint with etching and engraving; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto | 43.7 x 65.4 cm (image) | RCIN 735025
The French fleet of twenty-five sail of the line and fifteen frigates had sailed out of Brest in order to escort 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.
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.
After Thomas Luny (1759-1837) (artist) [bottom left, below edge of view:] T. Luny Pinxt.
Robert Pollard (c. 1755/6-1839) (engraver and publisher) [bottom centre, below title:] LONDON Published Nov.r 1st 1794 by R Pollard Printseller Spa Fields.
John Wells (active 1784-1809) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of view:] R. Pollard, & I. Wells Sculpt..
Richard Howe, Earl Howe (1726-99) (dedicatee)
Watermark: None visible
Condition: no fold lines
39.2 x 65.4 cm (neatline)
43.7 x 65.4 cm (image)
45.2 x 68.6 cm (platemark)
46.6 x 69.2 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
To the Right Honorable Richard Howe EARL HOWE VISCOUNT and Baron Howe of Langar in the County of Nottingham Viscount Howe and Baron of CLENAWLEY in the KINGDOM of Ireland and Vice Admiral of the White &c &c / This representation of his Engagement with the French Fleet on the 1.st of June 1794,, at the time that two of the French Ships of the Line were sinking and their Admiral bearing away leaving in his Lordships possession two of 80 and four 74 Gun Ships / Is Most Respectfully Inscribed by his Obedient Humble Servt / Robert Pollard. [bottom, below view, to each side of the coat of arms of Earl Howe]
Annotations:
(Recto) none. (Verso) [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 22; [bottom right, black pencil:] 1794-20; [top right, black pencil:] 20; [top left, black pencil:] 22; [bottom left, black pencil:] 102.a [and in a modern hand:] listed as Cumberland Maps XV/25 in the 1987 microfiche CMB May ’87 [i.e. 1987].
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement Representation of Admiral Lord Howe’s Engagement with the French Fleet on the 1.st of June 1794, at the time that two of the French Ships of the Line were sinking and their Admiral bearing away: by T. Luny, engraved by Pollard and Wells, 1794.
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.a
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
