[M] ENGLISH SCHOOL (19TH CENTURY) The capture of the French gun-brig 'Venteux' by boats of H.M.S. 'Loire', 27th June 1803

ENGLISH SCHOOL (19TH CENTURY)

The capture of the French gun-brig 'Venteux' by boats of H.M.S. 'Loire', 27th June 1803

Signed and dated 'R. K. 1843' (lower left)

Oil on canvas

20½ x 24½in. (52 x 62cm.)

The French brig Venteux was anchored close to shore batteries on the Île de Batz when the boats of H.M. Brig Loire mounted an audacious attack and captured her. Venteux, with a crew of 82 men under the command of Lieutenant Gilles-François Montfort, was armed with four 18-pounder guns and six 36-pounder brass carronades. Loire lost her boatswain and five men badly wounded; the French lost their second captain and two men killed, and all five remaining officers, including Montfort, were wounded, as well as eight other men. The Royal Navy brought Venteux into service as Eagle, and next year renamed her Eclipse. Lloyd's Patriotic Fund awarded both Lieutenant Francis Temple and Lieutenant James Bowen, who had commanded the boats 50 guinea swords, and Midshipman John Priest, whose boat did not arrive in time, a 30 guinea sword. In 1847 the Admiralty recognized the action with the clasp "27 June Boat Service 1803" to the Naval General Service Medal, awarded to all surviving claimants from the action, suggesting this painting may have been commissioned by one of the participants on the fortieth anniversary of the action.

Condition Report

heavy overpainting in the sails,

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