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
This Plate / is Humbly Inscrib'd to the / Right Honourable the / Lords Commissioners of ye Admiralty / by their Lordships most Obedient / and most Dutiful Servant, / James Main
published 1745Etching and engraving; printed on paper; hand-coloured | Scale: 1:164,200 approx. | RCIN 729009
The dates are 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 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.)
Dedication: [top left, in ornate cartouche decorated with the head of Neptune and dolphins:] This Plate / is Humbly Inscrib'd to the / Right Honourable the / Lords Commissioners of ye Admiralty / by their Lordships most Obedient / and most Dutiful Servant, / James Main.
Insets: [bottom, in irregularly-shaped panel, a view of five ships:] The representation of the Disabled Ships of both Fleets.
Additional text: [bottom, below map and view, tables of the English and French Lines of Battle and an account of the action.]
For further reading, see:
N.A.M. Rodger, The command of the ocean: a naval history of Britain 1649-1815, London, 1994.
Condition: one fold line; some foxing.
William Henry Toms (active 1723-61) (engraver and publisher) [bottom left:] W.H. Toms Sculp.; [bottom, right of centre, below text:] Publish’d Feb: 29 1744-5 According to Act of Parliament, and sold by W.H. Toms Engraver in Union Court near Hatton Garden Holborn, & by the Printsellers of London & Westminster, Price Plain 2.s & 4.s Colour’d
James Main (active 1745) (draughtsman) [bottom left:] James Main Delin
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty (dedicatee)
Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in shield, crown above, a ‘4’ below; countermark: IV [the same as RCIN 729008.a]
Condition: one fold line; some foxing
Scale: 1:164,200 approx. Scale bar: 5 miles [49 mm =].
47.4 x 71.8 cm (image)
47.9 x 72.8 cm (platemark)
49.4 x 73.8 cm (sheet)
35.2 x 71.8 cm (image of map)
31.4 x 71.3 cm (neatline of map)
Printed title:
The Situation of the ENGLISH, FRENCH and SPANISH FLEETS, when they begun the Engagement in the MEDITERRANEAN, on the Eleventh of Feb.y 174¾. Cape Sicie bearing then N.N.E. from the Center of the Fleet about Ten Leagues. / The English Commanded by Admiral Mathews, Vice Adm.l Lestock and Rear Adm.l Rowley. The French by Mons.r DeCourt and Gabaret, and the Spanish by Don Juan Joseppo Navarro. [top, across top of map in rectangular panel]
Dedication:
This Plate / is Humbly Inscrib'd to the / Right Honourable the / Lords Commissioners of ye Admiralty / by their Lordships most Obedient / and most Dutiful Servant, / James Main. [top left, in ornate cartouche decorated with the head of Neptune and dolphins]
Additional text:
[bottom, below map and view, tables of the English and French Lines of Battle and an account of the action.]
Annotations:
George III heading: Naval Engagement 11 Feb.y 1744.
Other annotations: none.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement The Situation of the English, French and Spanish Fleets when they begun the Engagement in the Mediterranean on the 11.th of February 174¾ by James Main; 1745.
Subject(s)
Toulon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (42°46'39"N 05°41'27"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.42
N.A.M. Rodger, The command of the ocean: a naval history of Britain 1649-1815, London, 1994
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
