δ [M] TIM THOMPSON, BRITISH (1951) The frigate action between H.M.S Crescent and La Reunion, 1793

TIM THOMPSON, BRITISH (B. 1951)

The frigate action between H.M.S 'Crescent' and 'La Reunion', 1793

Oil on canvas

Signed ‘Tim Thompson’ (lower left)

26½ x 38½in. (67.5 x 97.5cm.) Together with a folder of data including original 1983 exhibition listing.

Provenance: James Atkinson Gallery, Sandwich, Exhibition of Marine Paintings and Watercolours by T.F.R. Thompson, c.1983, Item No.2. (£2950)

During the early stages of the French Revolutionary War, the French Navy focused heavily on raiding and disrupting British commerce and shipping. One of the most successful raiders was La Reunion. To counter these attacks, the Admiralty despatched a number of warships to the French coast, including the 36-gun frigate Crescent under Captain James Saumarez. After observation it was clear that La Reunion followed a pattern and would make short cruises, leaving Cherbourg in the early evening and returning in the next morning. Following this pattern, the British were able to attack and in October 1793, Crescent engaged with La Reunion off Cherbourg. The action was brief and resulted in a resounding British victory with the trifling casualty of one man wounded on board by the recoil of a gun compared with the enemy who lost about 126 killed and wounded. One other ship was visible throughout the engagement, the 28-gun British frigate Circe (Captain Joseph Sydney Yorke), which lay becalmed approximately nine nautical miles distant - this could possibly be the vessel depicted in the lower right of the painting.

Condition Report

Fine overall condition, canvas slightly loose top left.

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