The Seven Years War (1756-63)
Manuscript and printed maps and views, correspondence and journals from the first global war
Cherbourg, 1758
c.1758Pencil, pen, ink, grey wash and watercolour on paper; laid down on linen | Scale: 1:17,000 approx. | RCIN 732066.a
The expedition to Cancale and Saint Malo had been abandoned on 12 June but the fleet was wind-bound off Cancale for a week, finally sailing on 20 June. On the 21st it was off Cherbourg, when Roy must have made this map and profile coastal views.
Three coastal profiles, below the map, taken from on board ship, show the Normandy coast to the east and west of Cherbourg, both taken from a short distance from the coast, and a more distant view, taken from further out at sea, extending from La Hogue Bay (Saint-Vaast-la-Hogue 49°35'18"N 01°16'09"W) to Cap de la Hague (49°43'31"N 01°56'24"W), a coastal distance of about 65 km (40 miles).
The accompanying letter by William Roy, addressed to Colonel Robert Napier, is at RCIN 732066.b. The orders which accompany the map are at RCIN 732066.c.
Condition: one fold line; surface dirt along left edge. Verso: brown discolouration; brown stains; induced discolouration.
? William Roy (1726-90) (draughtsman)
Watermark: Horn in crowned shield, the letters L V G below, the letter V suspending a bell; countermark: IV
Mark, stamped: 849
Condition: one fold line; surface dirt along left edge. Verso: brown discolouration; brown stains; induced discolouration
Scale: 1:17,000 approx. Scale bar: Scale of about a Mile [94 mm =].
24.3 x 45.2 cm (neatline)
34.9 x 45.2 cm (image)
35.8 x 46.5 cm (sheet)
Manuscript title:
No title
Annotations:
George III heading: Cherbourg 29-30 June 1758.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [top left, black pencil:] XVI/7-e.
George III catalogue entry:
Cherbourg A drawn Plan and three views of the Town and Environs of Cherbourg, relative to the attempt against that place under the command of the Duke of Marlborough, on the 29.th and 30.th of June 1758: by W.m Roy, with his letter giving an Account of the Expedition and inclosing the order of the day of the 29.th of June 1758.
Subject(s)
Cherbourg-Octeville, Basse-Normandy, France (49°38'23"N 01°36'58"W)
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
