A view of the british squadron, led by the theseus, preventing the french orient squadron from joining with the brest squadron near the île de groix on 21 february 1809. Napoleonic wars (1803-15). This view shows the brest fleet in the foreground, with the british squadron in the middle, and the orient squadron in the background to the left. From 1794 the french navy used the tricolour (its colours now reversed so that blue was next to the mast, followed by white and red) for the ensign, command flag, and jack, with the pennant similarly divided into blue, white, and red. This arrangement can be seen on the french ships in this view, although the 'jack', a smaller flag flown from the bows of the ship, is not visible. The admirals' flags can be seen on the third and fifth ships from the right. The flag on the third ship, being flown from the mizzen mast is that of a rear admiral, while it is being flown from the foremast on the sixth ship, indicating a vice admiral. The rear admiral of the brest fleet at this time was jean-baptiste philibert willaumez (1763-1845). He was, however, sailing on this occasion with rear admiral antoine-louis gourdan; no vice admiral is listed. The lettering of the dedication line is engraved in outline. The words 'g. T george street' which appear in the imprint are so faintly engraved as to be barely visible. George iii catalogue entry: naval engagement view of the theseus leading the squadron near the isle of grouais in the face of the brest fleet of eight sail of the line bearing two admirals flags, two frigates and a brig; obliging them to hawl their wind and preventing their intended junction with the orient squadron of four sail of the line and five frigates on the 21. St of feb. Y 1809, by n. Pocock, engraved by stadler, 1809. Date: 23 September 1809. Place of creation: Gt George Street Westm.r, London. Dimensions: 45.9 x 64.5 cm (image). Medium: aquatint with etching and engraving. Depicted Place: Île de Groix, Brittany, France. Collection: Royal Collection. Île de Groix, 1808 RCIN 735143
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