A view of the action between the British ships Thetis and Hussar, and five French ships of war near Cape Henry on 17 May 1795, in which the British captured four of the French ships, Robert Pollard, 1 January 1801

Printed title: to capt:n the hon:ble a. F. Cochrane, of his majesty’s ship thetis. Captain beresford of the hussar, the officers, seamen & marines, of their respective ships. / this representation of their action with five sail (2 of which were taken 3 escaped) of french ships of war near cape henry june 17,th 1795, is respectfully inscribed by / nicholas pocock. [bottom, below view, to each side of a vignette framed by branches, an anchor and shield with the union flag, and a female figure blowing a trumpet] the date of june 17 in the title is in error; the action occurred on may 17. A view of the action between the british ships thetis and hussar, and five french ships of war near cape henry on 17 may 1795, in which the british captured four of the french ships. French revolutionary wars (1792-1802): war of the first coalition (1792-8). To capt:n the hon:ble a. F. Cochrane, of his majesty’s ship thetis. Captain beresford of the hussar, the officers, seamen & marines, of their respective ships. / this representation of their action with five sail (2 of which. Published 1 jan 1801 aquatint with etching and engraving; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto , 45. 9 x 60. 3 cm (image) , rcin 735036 nicholas pocock (1740-1821) (artist and publisher) [bottom left, below edge of view:] painted by n. Pocock; [bottom centre, below text, to each side of vignette:] london published jan. Y 1. St 1801 by n. Pocock g. T george str: westminster. Robert pollard (c. 1755/6-1839) (engraver) john wells (active 1784-1809) (aquatinter) [bottom right, below edge of view:] engd by r. Pollard [and:] aquatinted by j. Wells. Naval engagement representation of the action between h. M. Ships thetis, captain cochrane, and hussar, captain beresford, and five sail of french ships of war near cape henry, on the 17. Th of may 1795: by n. Pocock, engraved by wells, 1801. Wikipediaː 11 july 2021ː on 2 may 1795 rear admiral george murray sent captain alexander cochrane in thetis, together with hms hussar, to intercept three french supply ships reported at hampton roads. [4] at daybreak on 17 may the british came upon five ships 20 leagues (97 km) west by south from cape henry. The french made a line of battle to receive the british frigates. An action commenced, with three of the french vessels eventually striking their colours. Thetis took possession of the largest, which turned out to be prévoyante, pierced for 36 guns but only mounting 24. Hussar captured a second, raison, pierced for 24 guns but only mounting 18. One of the vessels that had struck nonetheless sailed off. Two of the five had broken off the fight and sailed off earlier. (the three that escaped were the normand, trajan, and hernoux. ) an hour after she had struck, prévoyante's main and foremasts fell over the side. In the battle, thetis had lost eight men killed and 9 wounded; hussar had only two men wounded. Date: 1 January 1801. Dimensions: 41.1 x 60.3 cm (neatline); 45.9 x 60.3 cm (image); 48.1 x 65.2 cm (platemark); 49.1 x 66.3 cm (sheet). Medium: aquatint with etching and engraving. Depicted Place: Cape Henry, Virginia, USA. Collection: Royal Collection. Cape Henry, 1795, after Nicholas Pocock RCIN 735036