Circle of William John Huggins (1781-1845 London)

An engagement between H.M. brig Racoon and the French brig Le Lodi in Leogane Roads, Santo Domingo, 11th July 1803; The French brig La Mutine aground on the coast of Cuba and being destroyed by H.M. brig Racoon, 17th August 1803; and H.M. brig Racoon in action with the French schooner Jeune Adèle and the French cutter Amélie off the coast of Cuba, 14th October 1803 (all illustrated)

Details

Circle of William John Huggins (1781-1845 London)
An engagement between H.M. brig Racoon and the French brig Le Lodi in Leogane Roads, Santo Domingo, 11^t^h July 1803; The French brig La Mutine aground on the coast of Cuba and being destroyed by H.M. brig Racoon, 17^t^h August 1803; and H.M. brig Racoon in action with the French schooner Jeune Adèle and the French cutter Amélie off the coast of Cuba, 14^t^h October 1803 (all illustrated)
the first inscribed and dated 'His Majesty's Brig Racoon, Austin Bissell Esq^r^e Commander, in action with the French National Brig Le Lodi/Commanded by M.J.P. Taupier, Capitan de Fregate, in Leogane Roads, S^t Domingo./July 11^t^h 1803./Racoon none killed one wounded./Le Lodi 1 killed 14 wounded' (lower centre); the second inscribed and dated 'The French National Brig La Mutine, of 18 Guns, run on shore on the Coast of Cuba and destroyed, by His Majesty's Brig Racoon of 18 Guns/Austin Bissell Esq^r^e. Commander 17.^t^h August 1803 - The Racoon has 2 Lieutenants and 42 Men absent at the time in Prizes - The/French Schooner in Company with La Mutine effected her Escape. -' (lower centre); the third inscribed and dated 'His Majesty's Brig Racoon. Austin Bissell Esq.^r^e in action with a French National Brig, Schooner, and Cutter having on board 350 Troops/including 80 Officers of all Ranks besides their Crews These Vessels came out of Cumberland Harbour on the Coast of Cuba with a determination to/carry the Racoon by boarding but were all compelled to strike their Colors The Enemy had 40 killed and wounded/The Racoon none./14^t^h October 1803.' (lower centre)
pencil, pen and brown ink and watercolour heightened with white and with scratching out, on paper
13¾ x 18 in. (34.9 x 45.8 cm.) (3)

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Lot Essay

These works chart three important actions in the career of Captain Austen Bissell on board H.M. brig Racoon during the Napoleonic wars in 1803, around the coast of Cuba. The watercolours were possibly commissioned by Bissell himself or one of his serving officers to commemorate their role in the actions.

On the morning of 11th July, Captain Bissell, whilst working between the islands of Guanaba and St Domingo, spotted the French brig, Lodi, lying at anchor in the Leogane Roads. Moving in closer, he anchored within thirty yards and commenced an action. After half an hour the French ship cut its cables and tried to escape, however, Racoon followed and shortly after Lodi struck her colours. She lost one crew member in the action and another fourteen were wounded. Racoon had only one, Master's Mate Thomas Gill, whose arm was carried off by a shot.

On 17th August Racoon came across the armed French brig La Mutine whilst cruising off San-Jago, Cuba. The French brig hoisted her colours and fired at Racoon attempting to make her escape. Firing her broadside, Racoon brought down La Mutine's sails who then ran ashore in a small rocky bay. She later rehoisted her colours, however her main mast fell soon after as Racoon continued to fire.
0n 14th of October, Captain Bissell, whilst off the coast of Cuba, engaged three French ships; The cutter L'Amélie, the brig La Petite Fille and the schooner La Jeune Adèle off Cumberland Harbour. All three surrendered after forty of their crew were wounded or killed whereas the Raccon suffered no casualties.

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