Four views of Muscat and Oman

Heathcote was Captain of H.M.S. Lion, a 64 gun frigate in Omani waters in early 1811. The Master's and Captain's logs record HMS Lion conveying Ambassadors Sir Gore Ouseley to Busheer to be received by the Persian Governors in March 1811, and 'off the Omani coast' on 8 May: 'Saw 11 Dows and a Brig in S.E., altered course in chase, cleared ship for action...short sail and hove too, down boat and boarded the Brig from Rasalkama to Muscat with a convoy of Frankeys' (Captain's log). 'Running down for Muscat Cove' the following day, Heathcote anchored in 13 fathoms with the Best Bower, watered and took on provisions before proceeding to Bombay to join Admiral Hon. R. Stopford's squadron which would be deployed in the capture of Java from the Dutch in September 1811.

The present four views are taken from an album of watercolours and drawings which included views of Java, Company School watercolours and references to H.M.S. Lion and Admiral Stopford's squadron, as well as a signed sketch by John Archdeacon, purser on H.M.S. Lion 1808-1814.