Lot Essay
Frigates of Captain the Hon. Charles Herbert and Sir Harry Burrard Neale in action of Southern Brittanny 9th April 1799.
Captain Sir Harry Burrard Neale commanded the San Fiorenzo, a 36 gun frigate, and Captain the Hon. Charles Herbert commanded the Amelia, a 38 gun frigate. The watercolours show the ships cruising off Bell Isle. The Amelia had lost her main top mast and both fore and mizen top gallants in the squall. Shortly after this three French frigates who were the Cornelia and the Vegence both 40 guns and the Semillante 36 guns, and the Semillante 36 guns and a gun boat came out from Belle Isle to engage the English. There was a running three hour action ending of the Isle of Hoêdic from which a battery opened up on he British. The French then broke off, thinking that the English vessels were cut down ships of the hive.
Taken from William Liard Clowes, The Royal Navy, vol 4 page 522.
We are grateful to Pieter Van Der Merwe for his help in preparing this catalogue entry
Captain Sir Harry Burrard Neale commanded the San Fiorenzo, a 36 gun frigate, and Captain the Hon. Charles Herbert commanded the Amelia, a 38 gun frigate. The watercolours show the ships cruising off Bell Isle. The Amelia had lost her main top mast and both fore and mizen top gallants in the squall. Shortly after this three French frigates who were the Cornelia and the Vegence both 40 guns and the Semillante 36 guns, and the Semillante 36 guns and a gun boat came out from Belle Isle to engage the English. There was a running three hour action ending of the Isle of Hoêdic from which a battery opened up on he British. The French then broke off, thinking that the English vessels were cut down ships of the hive.
Taken from William Liard Clowes, The Royal Navy, vol 4 page 522.
We are grateful to Pieter Van Der Merwe for his help in preparing this catalogue entry