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 1 Oct 1795Stipple with etching and engraving; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto | 46.3 x 57.4 cm (image) | RCIN 735027.a
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.
This view shows Earl Howe on the quarter-deck of the Queen Charlotte after the French line was broken; the other individuals and features of the view are fully described in the accompanying text at RCIN 735027.b. Mather's painting, from which this aquatint is taken, is in the National Maritime Museum. This print was issued on 1 October 1795 at one guinea to subscribers.
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.
For further reading, see:
K. Coombs, 'Orme, Daniel (1766–1837)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edn 2006.
Condition: no fold lines.
Daniel Orme (1766-1837) (engraver and publisher) [bottom right, below edge of view:] D. Orme Sculp.t Historical Engraver to His Majesty & his R.H. the Prince of Wales; [bottom centre, below title:] Sold & Published Oct.r 1. 1795, by Danl Orme, N.o 14 Old Bond Street, London.
After Mather Byles Brown (1761-1831) (artist) [bottom left, below edge of view:] M. Brown Pinx.t Historical Painter to their R.H. the Duke & Duchess of York.
Subject(s)
Royal NavyNavy-FranceRichard Howe, Earl Howe (1726-99)Watermark: None visible
Condition: no fold lines
42.9 x 57.4 cm (neatline)
46.3 x 57.4 cm (image)
47.7 x 60.2 cm (platemark)
49.0 x 61.4 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
LORD HOWE’S VICTORY / ON THE GLORIOUS FIRST 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) [black pencil, bottom left obscured by paper backing: the old heading; bottom left, black pencil:] 102.m; [top left, black pencil:] 17; [top right, black pencil:] 19; [bottom right, black pencil:] 1794-19; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 17.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement Lord Howe’s victory on the 1.st of June 1794: by M. Brown, engraved by D. Orme, 1795: with an Index Plate and a Description.
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.m. The key or index plate, which is not mentioned in Parker, is pasted to the left edge of the view. See RCIN 735027.b.
K. Coombs, 'Orme, Daniel (1766–1837)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edn 2006.
Page revisions
25 May 2024
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