H.M.S. Crescent, under the command of Captain James Saumarez, capturing the French frigate Réunion off Cherbourg, 20 October 1793

Details

John Bentham-Dinsdale (1927-2008)
H.M.S. Crescent, under the command of Captain James Saumarez, capturing the French frigate Réunion off Cherbourg, 20 October 1793
signed 'John Bentham-Dinsdale' (lower left) and extensively inscribed (on the reverse)
oil on canvas
30 x 40 in. (76.2 x 101.6 cm.)

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Lot Essay

One of the first actions of the French Revolutionary Wars took place on 20 October 1793. H.M.S. Crescent, a 36-gun frigate, commanded by Captain Saumarez, sailed from Spithead on 19 October to investigate a report that the French frigate Réunion was off Cherbourg. Sighting the enemy the following morning, a furious action lasting two hours resulted in the capture of Réunion without the loss of a single man, whereas the French vessel lost 33 mean and had 48 wounded. Captain Saumarez was knighted for his service.

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