The distressed situation of the crew of the Guardian Frigate RMG PW7975, Charles Benazech, 24 December 1791

The distressed situation of the crew of the guardian frigate the guardian, under captain edward riou, was the first ship requisitioned to take vital supplies to support the ‘botany bay’ penal colony founded in 1788 by commodore arthur philip, though in fact by then moved to port jackson (sydney) , new south wales. After leaving cape town she damaged her stern, rudder and bilge in collision with an iceberg on 23rd december 1789 and it was only owing to riou's brilliant seamanship that she was able to make it back to table bay - those who insisted on taking to the lifeboats were not seen again and the australian colony was left in serious hardship until resupply was possible. Most of the guardian’s materials were saved when she was beached near cape town and later sent on. Riou died in 1801 commanding nelson's frigates at the battle of copenhagen. This oval engraving shows the ship grounded on the iceberg, while some of the unfortunate crew and passengers abandon ship in treacherous conditions. The distressed situation of the crew of the guardian frigate, after having struck upon an island of ice, decr 23; 1789. Date: 24 December 1791. Dimensions: 216 mm x 314 mm; Mount: 405 mm x 555 mm. Collection: Fine art.