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拍品 25
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)
已结束2011年5月18日
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GBP 9,375
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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.
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.