Scheldt estuary and Antwerp, 1809

Pictural Plan of the grand EXPEDITION, in the WEST SCHELDT, Aug.t 1809; / shewing the difficulty of approach to Antwerp

A high oblique view of the Scheldt between Bath and Antwerp showing the British combined operations on the expedition to Walcheren, and the situation of the French navy, August 1809. Napoleonic Wars (1803-15).

The artist of this view is recorded on the print simply as 'Cap.n Cockburn'. There were at least two Captain Cockburns who were present on the Walcheren expedition; there is no evidence, as yet, to suggest that they were related. The first, Captain George Cockburn R.N. (1772-1853, and later F.R.S. and Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn, 8th Baronet), commanded the Belleisle and a division of bomb and gun vessels. The second was Captain James Pattison Cockburn R.A. (1779-1847, later Director, from 1838, of the Royal Laboratory at Woolwich). James Pattison Cockburn, although born in New York City, had been schooled at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, where he was taught landscape drawing by the noted watercolour artist Paul Sandby (1731-1809). J.P. Cockburn went on to produce several pictures of military subjects, such as the five aquatinted views of the siege of Copenhagen (1807), etc. This 'pictural' view of the Scheldt has been attributed to him by Tracey (2007) and in the entry in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online, although the reference there to his part in the 'surrender' of Antwerp during the siege must refer to the surrender of Flushing which was the only achievement of the expedition.

The port of Flushing, ceded to France by treaty, was used to float the big French 80-gun ships which could not be moored at Antwerp. Thus the entire entrance to the Scheldt, as well as the river as far as Antwerp, was in the possession of France. The British naval expedition to the Scheldt, tasked with the destruction of the French fleet and arsenals, and the seizing of Antwerp and Flushing, comprised 264 vessels of war, accompanied by about 352 transports, many of which are seen in this view. Commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan (1760-1828; 4th baronet), they were accompanied by about 44,000 troops under the command of Lieutenant-General John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham (1756-1835). The expedition was ill planned and resulted in failure, except for the capture of Flushing.

This high oblique view is taken from a point above the River Scheldt at about present-day Bath in Zeeland (51°24'06"N 04°12'35"E), about 50-60 km upstream of Flushing, looking south-east towards the boom across the river at Lillo Fort (51°18'15"N 04°17'24"E), with Antwerp (51°13'11"N 04°25'12"E) in the distance. Antwerp, the base for the French ships of the line, is seen in the background, with eight French ships moored in front of it.

Additional text: [the names of places, positions of the British Squadrons, etc., are engraved in the appropriate places around the border, according to the positions of the objects being described.] [Bottom right, below title:] Price 5.s Col.d

For further reading, see:
D. Prioul, 'James Pattison Cockburn', Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.
L. Herrmann, 'Sandby, Paul (bap. 1731, d. 1809)', Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edition 2006.
J.K. Laughton, 'Cockburn, Sir George, eighth baronet (1772–1853)', Dictionary of National Biography, 2004.
J.K. Laughton, 'Strachan, Sir Richard John, fourth baronet (1760–1828)', Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edition 2008.
C. Doorne, 'Pitt, John, second earl of Chatham (1756–1835)', Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edition 2008.
H.M. Chichester, 'Cockburn, James Pattison (1779–1847)', Dictionary of National Biography, 2004.

Condition: no fold lines. Verso: induced discolouration.