The Indiaman 'Royal George' in Three Positions in the Downs, 1779, Francis Holman

The indiaman 'royal george' in three positions in the downs, 1779 three views of the indiaman 'royal george' in the downs, off the east coast of kent. The ship is depicted at anchor on the right in starboard-bow view, being approached by a deal lugger under sail which may be carrying a pilot. In the centre she is shown getting under way in port-broadside view, with the anchor being fished, men depicted in the rigging and a good view of her elaborate figurehead. A four-oared boat is approaching from the left, the bow oarsman having left his oar to cheer the ship's departure, waving his hat. On the left the ship is shown almost under full sail, including main-royal, studding-sails, and an unusual light-weather square sail replacing her gaff driver. She is running down towards the south foreland on the north-easterly wind. Other shipping is in the distance and both walmer castle (left) and deal castle (right) can be seen on the kent shore, and the waterfront of deal itself beyond the 'royal george's' stern in the central broadside view. The ship was an indiaman of 758 tons, owned by thomas thomas, and made two voyages to india under captain thomas foxall, 1778-80. On the first she was noted as finally sailing from plymouth on 2 february 1778, arriving back in the downs on 13 january 1780. She sailed again from portsmouth on 27 july 1780. This painting is signed and dated 'f holman / 1779', lower left, which suggests it may have been commissioned before (and to mark) her first voyage, which would certainly have started from london via the downs. It was bequeathed to the museum by oliver stobart in 1984 with the slightly misleading identification as showing 'hms royal st george' but the ship is not a naval vessel. The 'royal saint george' in three positions in the downs, 1779. Object Type: painting. Genre: marine art. Date: 1779. Dimensions: Frame: 698 mm x 1444 mm x 45 mm;Painting: 635 mm x 1372 mm. Medium: oil paint. Depicted Place: The Downs (ship anchorage). Collection: Royal Museums Greenwich. Indiaman Royal George