A proof copy of a view of a british squadron commanded by commodore sir william sidney smith (1764-1840), engaging the french near ostend on 16 may 1804. Napoleonic wars (1803-15). Below imprint, printed from a separate copperplate, a transcription of a letter from smith to to the commander in chief, lord keith, dated from the antelope at anchor off ostend, 17 may 1804. This gives a very detailed account of the action with a return of the killed and wounded of each ship, naming the officers. Text begins:] my lord / information from all quarters, and the evident state of readiness in which the enemy's armaments were in helvoet, flushing, and ostend, indicating the probability of a general movement from those ports. [bottom left, left of text, a summary of the british force; bottom right, right of text, a summary of the enemy force
between march 1803 and may 1804, smith commanded a squadron of small vessels which were blockading the flemish coast, engaging in actions such as that shown in this view. George iii catalogue entry: naval engagement view of the squadron under the command of sir w. M sidney smith engaging the enemy's flotilla consisting of 59 sail, brigs, schuyts, schooners and praams, near ostend, on the 16. Th of may 1804: by r. Dodd: with a copy of sir w. S. Smith's letter to lord keith. See another version rmg py8010. Date: 1804. Place of creation: near the Admiralty, London. Dimensions: 26.0 x 71.8 cm (view). Medium: aquatint with etching and engraving. Depicted Place: Ostend, Flanders, Belgium. Collection: Royal Collection. Ostend, 1804 RCIN 735112
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