HMS Caroline off Shakespeare Head, by Thomas Buttersworth, circa 1820

Hms caroline off shakespeare head, by thomas buttersworth. Buttersworth served on this ship as an able-bodied seaman and later midshipman. He enlisted aboard the receiving ship hms enterprise in 1795, then joined the frigate hms caroline the same year. Buttersworth became an able bodied seaman at 27 and midshipman in 1800. He was discharged after an injury at the mediterranean port of minorca. He had begun painting while aboard hms caroline in 1796. While a patient in minorca he further honed his skills and created several mediterranean scenes. He also painted views of the battles of cape saint vincent and trafalgar, probably from memory as he was on site for these historic battles during his sea service. Date: circa 1820.