$4,800
After Francis Holman (British, 1729-1790) East India Company's ship Bridgewater Successfully Defending Her Cargo From Attack by the American Privateer Hampden on her way from St. Helena to England, March 8, 1779. Unsigned, vessels identified on sterns. Oil on canvas, 17 x 23 in., in a period carved wood frame. Condition: Relined, stable craquelure, repaired tears l.c. with associated retouch, minor scattered retouch. Note: From research gleaned from the website American War of Independence at Sea (awiatsea.com), the privateer frigate Hampden, or Hamden as it was sometimes spelled, was owned by Woodbury Langdon et al. of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was first commissioned May of 1778 under Commander Thomas Pickering of Portsmouth. She captured several prizes on her voyages to European waters. This painting depicts a battle that occurred March 8, 1779. The battle was reported by an officer aboard the Hampden , and describes the homebound Hampden , sailing in company with a schooner, which came upon an English frigate thought to be an East Indian merchant ship. The Hampden chased her, fired on her, and the English vessel retreated, (and also the friendly schooner). At dawn Pickering began pursuing the frigate again and caught up with her at about 7:00 a.m. and the action began with both sides firing, until about 10:30 a.m. when the Hampden , which suffered much damage having only the foresail to get off with, retreated from the action. Captain Pickering and two other Read more…
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2013-10-27
