French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war
Ushant, 1794 (Ushant, Brittany, France) 48°27'27"N 05°05'46"W
published 1795Aquatint with etching and engraving; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto | 48.9 x 71.7 cm (image) | RCIN 735024.a
This view shows a preliminary action which led, two days later, to the engagement known as the 'Battle of the Glorious First of June'. 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 companion print is at RCIN 735024.b, and the index or key plate to both views is at RCIN 735024.c.
Additional text: [bottom, below title:] This point of Time represents the Queen after having led the Van along the whole of the Enemys Line to leeward being so much disabled in her Sails & Rigging, and at some distance from the body of the British Fleet, that the French Van bore up in a formal Line with the intent to cut her off; which was prevented by the Royal Sovereign leading the Van of the British down to her Assistance which caused / the French to ware and bear away to leeward. [The names of the ships are engraved along the bottom edge of the view.]
Condition: no fold lines.
Robert Dodd (1748-1815) (artist and publisher) [bottom centre, above title:] Painted by R. Dodd.
Benjamin Beale Evans (active 1787-1805) (publisher) [bottom centre, below title and text:] London: Published by R. Dodd Lisson Green & B.B. Evans Poultry Jan.y 1 1795.
Richard Howe, Earl Howe (1726-99) (dedicatee)
Subject(s)
Royal NavyNavy-FranceRichard Howe, Earl Howe (1726-99)Watermark: None visible
Condition: no fold lines
43.2 x 70.1 cm (neatline)
48.9 x 71.7 cm (image)
51.4 x 75.9 cm (platemark)
52.4 x 77.1 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
To Admiral Earl Howe Commander in Chief; Admirals Lord Graves and Lord Bridport, Commanders in the Van and the Rear The Vice Admirals, Sir George Bowyer Bar.t Benj.n Caldwell Esqr Sir Allen Gardner Bar.t and Rear Admiral / Sir Thomas Pasley Bart The several Captains and Officers; This View of their gaining the Wind of the Enemy’s Fleet on the Evening of the 29th of May 1794 which led to their Splendid Victory on the 1st of June following Is most respectfully Inscribed / By their Obedient Servants R Dodd & B B Evans [bottom, below view]
Additional text:
[bottom, below title:] This point of Time represents the Queen after having led the Van along the whole of the Enemys Line to leeward being so much disabled in her Sails & Rigging, and at some distance from the body of the British Fleet, that the French Van bore up in a formal Line with the intent to cut her off; which was prevented by the Royal Sovereign leading the Van of the British down to her Assistance which caused / the French to ware and bear away to leeward. [The names of the ships are engraved along the bottom edge of the view.]
Annotations:
George III heading: Military Naval Engagement 29 May 1794 Port folio No 5.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil, obscured by paper backing: the old heading; bottom left, black pencil:] 102.b; [top right, black pencil:] 13; [bottom right, black pencil:] 1794-13.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement View of H.M. Fleet commanded by Admiral Earl Howe gaining the wind of the Enemy’s Fleet on the evening of the 29.th of May 1794, which led to the victory of the 1.st of June following [followed by the title of the companion print at RCIN 735024.b].
To Admiral Earl Howe Commander in Chief; Admirals Lord Graves and Lord Bridport, Commanders in the Van and the Rear The Vice Admirals, Sir George Bowyer Bar.t Benj.n Caldwell Esqr Sir Allen Gardner Bar.t and Rear Admiral / Sir Thomas Pasley Bart The several Captains and Officers; This View of their gaining the Wind of the Enemy’s Fleet on the Evening of the 29th of May 1794 which led to their Splendid Victory on the 1st of June following Is most respectfully Inscribed / By their Obedient Servants R Dodd & B B Evans
Naval Engagement View of H.M. Fleet commanded by Admiral Earl Howe gaining the wind of the Enemy’s Fleet on the evening of the 29.th of May 1794, which led to the victory of the 1.st of June following [followed by the title of the companion print at RCIN 735024.b].
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.b
Page revisions
25 May 2024
Current version
