Napoleonic Wars (1803-15)
Views of naval engagements and maps of battles
Bay of Naples, 1810
TO CAPTAIN JAHLEEL BRENTON, HIS OFFICERS, SEAMEN & MARINES. / This Plate of His Majesty's Ship Spartan, having defeated the French Squadron, taking possession of the captured Brig Sparviére, / Is respectfully Dedicated by...
published Apr 1812Aquatint with etching and engraving; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto | 44.8 x 60.3 cm (image) | RCIN 735154.b
In this action of 3 May 1810, the Spartan engaged a French squadron comprising the brig Cérès (a large corvette, a brig and a cutter with 95 guns and about 1400 men compared with the Spartan's 46 guns and 258 men), the Fama, Sparviere, Achilles and seven gunboats. After a fierce battle during which the Sparviere struck her colours and Captain Jahleel Brenton (later Sir Jahleel Brenton, Vice-Admiral of the White, 1770-1844) was wounded in the hip by grapeshot, the remaining French ships retreated to the protection of the batteries of Baia. Brenton was awarded a sword by Lloyd's Patriotic Fund, created a baronet and the Two Sicilies presented him with the Grand Cross of St Ferdinand.
One of a pair of prints, the companion print is at RCIN 735154.a.
Additional text: [bottom left, left of title: the number of English killed and wounded; bottom right, right of title: the number of French killed and wounded.]
For further reading, see:
P.K. Crimmin, 'Brenton, Sir Jahleel, first baronet (1770–1844)', Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edition 2008.
Condition: one fold line. Verso: induced discolouration.
George Andrews (active 1794-1813) (publisher) [bottom centre, below edge of view:] Published April 1812, by George Andrews, Marine Print Warehouse, 7 Charing Cross, London.
After Thomas Whitcombe (?1763-1824) (artist) [bottom left, below edge of view:] Painted by T. Whitcombe.
J Baily (active 1812) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Engraved by J. Baily.
Sir Jahleel Brenton (1770-1844) (dedicatee)
Watermark: None visible
Condition: one fold line. Verso: induced discolouration
40.6 x 60.3 cm (neatline)
44.8 x 60.3 cm (image)
48.5 x 65.7 cm (platemark)
51.2 x 68.5 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
TO CAPTAIN JAHLEEL BRENTON, HIS OFFICERS, SEAMEN & MARINES. / This Plate of His Majesty's Ship Spartan, having defeated the French Squadron, taking possession of the captured Brig Sparviére, / Is respectfully Dedicated by his obed.,,t Serv,,t / George Andrews. [bottom centre, below view]
Additional text:
[bottom left, left of title: the number of English killed and wounded; bottom right, right of title: the number of French killed and wounded.]
Annotations:
(Recto) [bottom left, black pencil:] XV.154.b. May 3 – 1810. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 204.a.(ii) [the (ii) has been added in a later hand]; [centre, black pencil:] 1810-6; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 1810-6.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement Two Views of H.M. Ship Spartan, Captain J. Brenton, attacking and defeating the French Squadron, and taking possession of the captured Brig Sparviere, in the Bay of Naples on the 3.d of May 1810: by Whitcombe, engraved by Baily, and published by Andrews, 1812.
Subject(s)
Bay of Naples (40°49'43"N 14°17'03"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, no.204.a
P.K. Crimmin, 'Brenton, Sir Jahleel, first baronet (1770–1844)', Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edition 2008.
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
