Prints
Exciting War of 1812 Naval Battle Print USS Chesapeake
1814, Aquatint Print, British sailors hauling down the American flag on the captured American Frigate Chesapeake, by Jeakes, after a painting by Thomas Whitcombe, Very Fine.
This aquatint print by Jeakes, made from a painting by Thomas Whitcombe, was published May 1, 1814 in London by Hassell and Rickards, and dedicated by the publishers to Lord Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty. Measuring about 18" x 22", presently matted and framed (not examined outside the frame), this print depicts the final moments of the engagement between USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon, on June 1, 1813, when the British crew boarded and captured the American ship just outside Boston harbor, and hauled down the American flag. The Chesapeake is flying a flag reading "A Free Trade and Sailors Rights" from its forepeak. This was the major issue which started the War of 1812, and which was not dealt with in the Ghent peace treaty. This print is generally bright and in great condition. There is foxing on the inscription at the bottom and a long repaired tear at the left end of the ships. An attractive and exciting historical print from some dark days in America's history.
During April and May 1813, while the U.S. Frigate Chesapeake was in Boston refitting she received a new Captain, James Lawrence. Many of her officers were replaced and a large percentage of her crew was newly enlisted. Though the ship was a good one, with a well-seasoned Captain, the crew was inexperienced. However, blockading off Boston was HMS Shannon, commanded by an experienced Captain, Philip Broke. Shannon and Chesapeake were nearly identical strength, though the American ship's crew was larger, and Broke issued a formal challenge to the American ship, though it did not reach Lawrence. Chesapeake left Boston Harbor in the early afternoon of 1 June 1813. The two ships sailed several miles offshore, where Shannon slowed to await her opponent, who approached flying a special flag proclaiming "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights" in recognition of America's prewar grievances against British policies. Around 6 PM the ships opened fire, both hitting, but the British guns did more damage and produced crippling casualties on the Chesapeake. Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded by small arms fire and had to be taken below. The American ship was soon out of control. Captain Broke led his boarding party onto Chesapeake's quarterdeck, where they met fierce but disorganized resistance. They soon gained control, though Captain Broke was badly wounded in the process. Some fifteen minutes after the battle began, the Chesapeake was in British hands. Casualties were heavy, more than 60 killed on the Chesapeake and about half as many on the Shannon. The latter's cannon had made more than twice as many hits, and her boarding party demonstrated decisive superiority in hand-to-hand fighting.
Exciting War of 1812 Naval Battle Print USS Chesapeake
1814, Aquatint Print, British sailors hauling down the American flag on the captured American Frigate Chesapeake, by Jeakes, after a painting by Thomas Whitcombe, Very Fine.
This aquatint print by Jeakes, made from a painting by Thomas Whitcombe, was published May 1, 1814 in London by Hassell and Rickards, and dedicated by the publishers to Lord Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty. Measuring about 18" x 22", presently matted and framed (not examined outside the frame), this print depicts the final moments of the engagement between USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon, on June 1, 1813, when the British crew boarded and captured the American ship just outside Boston harbor, and hauled down the American flag. The Chesapeake is flying a flag reading "A Free Trade and Sailors Rights" from its forepeak. This was the major issue which started the War of 1812, and which was not dealt with in the Ghent peace treaty. This print is generally bright and in great condition. There is foxing on the inscription at the bottom and a long repaired tear at the left end of the ships. An attractive and exciting historical print from some dark days in America's history.
During April and May 1813, while the U.S. Frigate Chesapeake was in Boston refitting she received a new Captain, James Lawrence. Many of her officers were replaced and a large percentage of her crew was newly enlisted. Though the ship was a good one, with a well-seasoned Captain, the crew was inexperienced. However, blockading off Boston was HMS Shannon, commanded by an experienced Captain, Philip Broke. Shannon and Chesapeake were nearly identical strength, though the American ship's crew was larger, and Broke issued a formal challenge to the American ship, though it did not reach Lawrence. Chesapeake left Boston Harbor in the early afternoon of 1 June 1813. The two ships sailed several miles offshore, where Shannon slowed to await her opponent, who approached flying a special flag proclaiming "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights" in recognition of America's prewar grievances against British policies. Around 6 PM the ships opened fire, both hitting, but the British guns did more damage and produced crippling casualties on the Chesapeake. Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded by small arms fire and had to be taken below. The American ship was soon out of control. Captain Broke led his boarding party onto Chesapeake's quarterdeck, where they met fierce but disorganized resistance. They soon gained control, though Captain Broke was badly wounded in the process. Some fifteen minutes after the battle began, the Chesapeake was in British hands. Casualties were heavy, more than 60 killed on the Chesapeake and about half as many on the Shannon. The latter's cannon had made more than twice as many hits, and her boarding party demonstrated decisive superiority in hand-to-hand fighting.
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Auction details
Coins-Currency-Autographs-Americana
9:00 AM PT - May 18th, 2008
offered by
Early American
P.O. Box 3507
Rancho Santa Fe CA 92067
Rancho Santa Fe CA 92067
