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Napoleonic Wars (1803-15)

Views of naval engagements and maps of battles

GEORGE ANDREWS (ACTIVE 1794-1813)

View of Sagone Bay, 1811 (Anse de Sagone, Corsica, France) 42°06'42"N 08°41'42"E

published Jul 1812

Aquatint with etching and engraving; colour printed on paper; hand coloured; edged with paper | 47.8 x 62.1 cm (image) | RCIN 735163.c

A view of three British frigates attacking French transport ships in the Bay of Sagone on 1 May 1811. Napoleonic Wars (1803-15). Proof copy.

One of three views; the companion prints are at RCINs 735163.a and b.

This view shows the action, thirty minutes after the beginning, by three British ships: the Pomone (38-gun frigate), Captain Robert Barrie (later Sir Robert; 1774-1841); the Unité (the former French 40-gun frigate Imperieuse, captured by the British in 1793 and renamed in 1802), Captain Chamberlayne; to the left of the view, Scout (a Cruizer-class 18-gun brig sloop), Captain Alexander Renton Sharpe (d. 1860; not promoted to captain until 2 January 1813; Vice-Admiral 30 October 1855).

The scene shows the British ships in the foreground, with the French ships, the Giraffe and Nourrice on fire, later setting fire to the merchant ship which was with them. Burning timber from the ships had been flung in the air, landing on the martello tower which also caught fire, as seen in this view. The French ships carried a cargo of timber which was destined for the French naval yards at Toulouse. The loss of the timber delayed construction of new French ships by several months.

Additional text: [bottom left, left of title:] PROOF [bottom left, above the word 'Proof', a note on the number of guns of the 'English Force' [bottom right, right of title, a note on the numbers of guns, troops, batteries etc., of the 'French Force'.]

For further reading, see:
T.L. Brock, 'Sir Robert Barrie', Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.

Condition: one fold line (visible on verso).
  • George Andrews (active 1794-1813) (publisher) [bottom centre, below edge of view, above title:] Published July 1812, by G. Andrews, Marine Print Warehouse; 7, Charing Cross, London.

    Daniel Havell (d. 1826) (artist)

    Robert Havell (1769-1832) (artist) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Engraved from an original Drawing by R. & D. Havell.

    Subject(s)

    Unité (HMS)
    Pomone (HMS)
    Navy-France
    Royal Navy
  • Watermark: J WHATMAN [date not visible]

    Condition: one fold line (visible on verso)

  • 42.4 x 62.1 cm (neatline)

    47.8 x 62.1 cm (image)

    51.5 x 68.8 cm (platemark)

    54.6 x 71.8 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    TO THE CAPTAINS, OFFICERS & CREWS, OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS POMONE, CAPTAIN BARRIE, / UNITÉ, CAPTAIN CHAMBERLAYNE, & SCOUT BRIG, CAPTAIN SHARPE. / Plate 3,,d ½ past 8, o'Clock PM, Representing the Squadron under the orders of Capt,,n Barrie, standing out of Sagone Bay, after having / destroyed the Enemy's Ships & Batteries, on the 1,,st May 1811. / Is respectfully Dedicated by their much obliged very humble Serv,,t / George Andrews. [bottom, below view]

    Additional text:

    [bottom left, left of title:] PROOF [bottom left, above the word 'Proof', a note on the number of guns of the 'English Force' [bottom right, right of title, a note on the numbers of guns, troops, batteries etc., of the 'French Force'.]

    Annotations:

    (Recto) [bottom left, black pencil:] XV-163-c. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 212.a.(iii); [top right, black pencil:] 16; [right of centre, black pencil:] 1811-16.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Naval Engagement Three Views of H.M. Ships Pomone, Captain Barrie, Unité, Captain Chamberlayne, and Scout Brig, Captain Sharpe; attacking and destroying the Batteries and a Squadron of French Ships in Sagone Bay, on the 1.st of May 1811: engraved by Havell and published by Andrews, 1812.

  • Subject(s)

    Anse de Sagone, Corsica, France (42°06'42"N 08°41'42"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.212.a

    T.L. Brock, 'Sir Robert Barrie', Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.

Page revisions

  • 23 May 2024