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War of the Austrian Succession (1740-8)

Includes much of the mapping collected by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, as Captain General of the British army

NATHANIEL PARR (ACTIVE 1724-51)

Toulon, 1744

Situation of His / MAJESTY'S FLEET, / and the Combin'd Fleets of / FRANCE & SPAIN / in the / MEDITERRANEAN / 13 Feb. 1743 4. / When A. Mathews made ye Signal / to give over Chace V.A. Lestock having / sometime before made ye Signal...

c.1745

Etching and engraving; printed on paper | Scale: not stated | RCIN 729008.g

A map of the naval Battle of Toulon or Cape Sicié, 22-24 February 1744. War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48).

This is one of a series of seven numbered maps (RCIN 729008.a-g). The dates on the maps are all given in Old Style, i.e. according to the Julian Calendar which was, after 1700, 11 days behind the Gregorian, or New Style date. The new year began on Lady Day (25 March). The British Isles adopted the Gregorian Calendar in 1752.

The maps were printed for J. Millan in 1745 from original material to accompany an account of the battle which was presented to the House of Commons by Vice-Admiral Lestock, in vindication of his actions. A notice at the beginning of the printed account reads: 'March 20, 1744-5. / In a few Days will be Publish'd, / From the Originals presented by Adm--r-l / L-st--k, to the House of Commons: / All the material Situations, Views and Positions, in the late Engagement near Toulon, of / His Majesty's Fleet, and those of France and / Spain: Curiously engrav'd on Seven Sheets of / fine Imperial Paper.' BL Maps. C.10.c.17 and Maps C.10.c.18.

The British fleet, under the command of Admiral Thomas Mathews, Vice-Admiral Richard Lestock, and Rear-Admiral William Rowley, attacked the Spanish Fleet as it sailed out of Toulon Harbour, where it had been blockaded for two years. A fierce battle ensued but the result was inconclusive. The French, commanded by Vice-Admiral Claude Court de la Bruyère, and the Spaniards, led by Rear-Admiral Don Juan José Navarro, combined successfully to resist the British attack. (Rodger 2004, p.243.)

Additional text: [bottom right, in rococo cartouche, a key, a-e, to the dispositions of the fleets:] Explanation.

For further reading, see:
N.A.M. Rodger, The command of the Ocean: a naval history of Britain 1649-1815, London, 2004.

Condition: one fold line. Verso: surface dirt along fold; surface dirt along left and right edges.
  • Nathaniel Parr (active 1724-51) (engraver) [bottom right, inside neatline:] Parr Sculp.

  • Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in shield, crown above, a ‘4’ below; countermark: IV

    Condition: one fold line. Verso: surface dirt along fold; surface dirt along left and right edges

  • Scale: not stated

    48.0 x 57.7 cm (neatline)

    48.9 x 58.6 cm (image)

    50.2 x 59.8 cm (platemark)

    51.6 x 73.8 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    Situation of His / MAJESTY'S FLEET, / and the Combin'd Fleets of / FRANCE & SPAIN / in the / MEDITERRANEAN / 13 Feb. 1743 4. / When A. Mathews made ye Signal / to give over Chace V.A. Lestock having / sometime before made ye Signal for seeing / above 20 Sail of ye Enemy & then in Chace / coming up with & making them more & / more plain after which lost Sight of them. [top left, in rococo cartouche]

    Printed title:

    7 [top right, inside neatline]

    Additional text:

    Explanation. [bottom right, in rococo cartouche, a key, a-e, to the dispositions of the fleets]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Naval Engagement 11, 12, 13 Feb.y 1744.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom, right of centre, black pencil, erased:] IX/[?]

    George III catalogue entry:

    Naval Engagement The Situations, Views and Positions of His Majesty's Fleet under the command of Admiral Matthews, and the combined Fleets of France and Spain in the Engagement near Toulon on the 11.th 12.th and 13.th of February 174¾: engraved by Parr, 1745. 7 sheets.

  • Subject(s)

    Toulon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (42°46'39"N 05°41'27"E)

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    N.A.M. Rodger, The command of the Ocean: a naval history of Britain 1649-1815, London, 2004

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024