拍品專文
Early on 16th February, 1805, H.M.S. Cleopatra, a 32-gun frigate under the command of Captain Sir Robert Laurie, was patrolling off Bermuda when she sighted the French 40-gun Ville de Milan on passage home from Martinique carrying vital despatches. Not realising the French vessel was so superior in size and armament, Captain Laurie gave chase for several hours and eventually brought her to action in a desperate engagement lasting all afternoon. Cleopatra was remorselessly battered into submission and just after 5 o'clock, by which time she was practically a wreck, the French boarded and captured her despite the death of their captain.
Cleopatra was given a jury rig and a French prize crew but the two vessels were intercepted by H.M.S. Leander on 23rd February before they could make port. Leander, a two-decker mounting 50 guns, was able to overhaul her two damaged opponents fairly rapidly but they separated before she could engage them so Captain Talbot first went after Cleopatra. Only a single shot was needed to persuade her captors to strike the tricolour and once her own crew had regained her decks, Leander led her after the Ville de Milan. After a chase lasting an hour, the Frenchmen surrendered without a shot being fired and honour was satisfied.
Cleopatra was given a jury rig and a French prize crew but the two vessels were intercepted by H.M.S. Leander on 23rd February before they could make port. Leander, a two-decker mounting 50 guns, was able to overhaul her two damaged opponents fairly rapidly but they separated before she could engage them so Captain Talbot first went after Cleopatra. Only a single shot was needed to persuade her captors to strike the tricolour and once her own crew had regained her decks, Leander led her after the Ville de Milan. After a chase lasting an hour, the Frenchmen surrendered without a shot being fired and honour was satisfied.