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
Toulon, 1744
The SITUATION of His / MAJESTY'S FLEET, / & the COMBIN'D FLEETS of / FRANCE & SPAIN, / in the / MEDITERRANEAN, / on the 11 Feb. 1743-4 / When A. Mathews made ye Signal to / Engage ye Enemy, going then between / 3 & 4 Miles an hour...
c.1745Etching and engraving; printed on paper | Scale: not stated | RCIN 729008.a
This is one of a series of seven numbered maps (RCINs 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.' (see 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: [top left, in rococo cartouche:] By Authority From the / ORIGINALS / on Seven Imperial Sheets, / Presented by / VICE ADMIRAL LESTOCK, / To the / Hon: House of Commons; / THE / SITUATIONS, VIEWS & POSITIONS, / in the late ENGAGEMENT &c. / near TOULON / Between His / MAJESTY'S FLEET / and the COMBIN'D FLEETS / of / FRANCE & SPAIN, On the 11. 12. 13 February 1743-4. [Bottom, below chart, a key, a-f, to the dispositions of various ships:] EXPLANATION [and an account of the actions:] REMARKS.
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.
Nathaniel Parr (active 1724-51) (engraver) [bottom right, inside neatline:] Parr Sculp.
Millan, J. : near White-hall (publisher) [bottom centre, below border:] London, Printed for I. Millan near White-hall, according to Act / April 8. 1745. – Price. 10s. 6d.
Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in shield, crown above, a ‘4’ below; countermark: IV
Condition: one fold line
Scale: not stated
48.0 x 68.7 cm (neatline)
48.7 x 69.5 cm (image)
50.0 x 70.5 cm (platemark)
51.4 x 72.0 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
The SITUATION of His / MAJESTY'S FLEET, / & the COMBIN'D FLEETS of / FRANCE & SPAIN, / in the / MEDITERRANEAN, / on the 11 Feb. 1743-4 / When A. Mathews made ye Signal to / Engage ye Enemy, going then between / 3 & 4 Miles an hour, & Bearing down / not Form'd in Order of Battle, upon / which ye Enemy made more Sail, and / Continued Stretching to ye S.oward / endeavouring to gain ye Wind. [top right, in rococo cartouche]
Printed title:
1 [top right, inside neatline]
Additional text:
[top left, in rococo cartouche:] By Authority From the / ORIGINALS / on Seven Imperial Sheets, / Presented by / VICE ADMIRAL LESTOCK, / To the / Hon: House of Commons; / THE / SITUATIONS, VIEWS & POSITIONS, / in the late ENGAGEMENT &c. / near TOULON / Between His / MAJESTY'S FLEET / and the COMBIN'D FLEETS / of / FRANCE & SPAIN, On the 11. 12. 13 February 1743-4. [Bottom, below chart, a key, a-f, to the dispositions of various ships:] EXPLANATION [and an account of the actions:] REMARKS.
Annotations:
George III heading: Naval Engagement 11, 12, 13 Feb.y 1744.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom, right of centre, black pencil, cropped:] 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
Current version
