No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more

Battle of Flamborough Head, 23rd September 1779 When the American War of Independence began in 1775, one of the earliest volunteers to the colonial cause was a Scottish immigrant John Paul Jones. His qualities as a seaman of considerable ability were quickly recognised and he soon rose to the command of the sloop Ranger, the first United States' vessel to hoist the 'Star and Stripes' as its national flag. His success in Ranger resulted in him then being given the Bonhomme Richard, flagship to a small squadron of two frigates and several smaller vessels with which to raid merchant shipping around the coasts of Britain. After an abortive foray into the Firth of Forth, Jones was off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, in the late afternoon of 23rd September 1779, when he sighted a large homeward-bound Baltic convoy. A valuable prize, it was unfortunately under escort by the newly-built 44-gun fifth rate H.M.S. Serapis and the small sloop Countess of Scarborough. Watched by crowds of spectators on the cliffs, the action commenced just after 7 o'clock and soon developed into a memorable duel between the two principal ships. Serapis took an early advantage but when her Captain challenged Jones to surrender he received the American's famous retort 'I have not yet begun to fight'. Jones fought on tenaciously and gradually gained the upper hand until Serapis finally struck her colours at about 10.30p.,m. Both ships were seriously damaged, so much so that Bonhomme Richard sank the following morning, but Jones got Serapis away and she was subsequently absorbed into the French Navy.

Michael J. Whitehand (b.1951)

The Battle of Flamborough Head

Details

Michael J. Whitehand (b.1951)
The Battle of Flamborough Head
signed 'M Whitehand' (lower left)
oil on canvas
26 x 32in. (66 x 81.2cm.)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. All sold picture lots (lots 300-668) not cleared by 2.00pm on Monday 20 November 2000 will be removed and may be cleared after 9.00am on Tuesday 21 November 2000 from the warehouse of Cadogan Tate Fine Art Removals Limited. (See below.) Cadogan Tate Ltd., Fine Art Services Cadogan House, 2 Relay Road, London W12 7SJ. Telephone: 44 (0) 20 8735 3700. Facsimile: 44 (0) 20 8735 3701. Rates (Pictures) An initial transfer and administration charge of £3.20 and a storage charge of £1.60 per lot per day will be payable to Cadogan Tate. These charges are subject to VAT and an insurance surcharge. (Exceptionally large pictures will be subject to a surcharge.)

More from Maritime and Naval Battles

View All