Maritiem Digitaal
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The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759
| titel | The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759
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| inventarisnummer | BHC0399
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| collectie | Oil Paintings
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| museum | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
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| datum | 1812
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| omschrijving | This was the most decisive naval encounter during the Seven Years War, 1756-63, a conflict involving the world’s major powers and fought around the globe. France had been at war with Britain since 1756, her position in Canada, India and the West Indies was on the point of collapse and in Europe she faced stalemate against Prussia, which received British support. In an attempt to solve her problems the French planned to land an army of 20,000 men in Scotland to be conveyed by a fleet of twenty-one ships of the line under Admiral de Conflans. To this end they had accumulated transport ships and troops around the Loire estuary.
Under Admiral Hawke the British blockaded Brest to prevent the French fleet collecting the troop transports. During a gale in the first week of November, Hawke's blockade ships were forced to shelter in Torbay, giving de Conflans the chance to escape. On hearing that the French had set sail, Hawke went in pursuit and on 20 November, sighted him 20 miles out to sea. De Conflans ordered his fleet to escape into Quiberon Bay, assuming Hawke would not follow when he saw the area of rocks, reefs and wild seas at the entrance to the bay. This was a miscalculation, and instead of safety, de Conflans sailed his fleet into a trap. The ensuing battle resulted in the destruction of the French fleet and the French flagship ‘Soleil Royal’ went aground and was burnt. This action stopped any French plans to invade Britain during the Seven Years War. The famous naval song 'Hearts of Oak' was composed to commemorate the battle.
Painted over fifty years after the event, the artist may have referred to two contemporary paintings of the battle by Dominic Serres, (BHC0400, BHC2266). Admiral Hawke’s ship the ‘Royal George’ is shown engaged with de Conflans in the ‘Soleil Royal’ which was later destroyed. The ‘Royal George’ and the ‘Soleil Royal’ occupy the centre of the picture and are firing at each other. The ‘Soleil Royal’ has erroneously been portrayed as a three-decker, and is to the centre right. To her right is another French ship with an English one extreme right, engaging each other. Other ships are in action beyond. To the left of the ‘Royal George’ is a French ship firing both broadsides. Behind and to her left is the sinking French ship ‘Thesée’ with the British ‘Torbay’ beside her and to the left. In the extreme left background in the distance are two more ships in action. It is signed and dated ‘N.Pocock 1812’.
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| afmetingen | Painting: 673 x 1080 mm; overall frame size: 875 x 1290 x 52mm
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