232 The Dockyard at Portsmouth (_1051_). [See No. 201.] . . . . . R. PATON.
On the left is a large vessel about to be launched; the dock buildings are behind.
233 The Dockyard at Chatham (_1062_). [See No. 201.] . . . . . R. PATON.
The dock is on rising ground to the right; on the left is seen the Medway. Various ships are on the river.
234 Commencement of Sir Robert Calder's Action, July 22nd, 1805 (_1038_). [See Companion Piece, No. 202.] . . . . . N. POCOCK.
A small English ship is engaging two French vessels on the left.
On the 19th of July, Calder had received despatches from Nelson stating that the combined Franco-Spanish fleet was on its return from the West Indies, and he cruised about off Cape Finisterre in the hope of intercepting it. Though both sides lost heavily, the action had no very decided result. The small English ship is probably the "Hero," the van-ship of the British, which began the attack.
Nicholas Pocock, like D. Serres, acquired his knowledge of the sea in the navy, which he gave up to adopt marine painting as a profession.
235 George III. Reviewing the Fleet at Portsmouth (_1014_) . . . . . D. SERRES.
To the right is a large line-of-battle ship firing a salute. Several yachts with officers and spectators on board are seen.
This, and Nos. 203, 209, and 231 pieces were painted by Dominic Serres, a native of Gascony, who, after running away from home, becoming a sailor, and then master of a trading vessel, and being captured by an English frigate, settled in England and took to painting marine pieces to earn a living. He was one of the original members of the Royal Academy, and frequently exhibited. He is to be distinguished from his son, J. T. Serres (see No. 225).
236 The Dockyard at Woolwich (_1066_) . . . . . [See No. 201.] R. PATON.
Woolwich church is seen in the centre background; the dock buildings are on the right.
237 Admiral Sir John Jennings (_11_) . . . . . _After Kneller by_ BOCKMAN.
Knighted by Queen Anne in 1704, died in 1743, and is buried in Westminster Abbey.
238 Admiral John Benbow . . . . . _After Kneller by_ BOCKMAN.
He was given the command of a ship by James, Duke of York, for his bravery. In 1702, when in command of the West India squadron, he sustained, almost alone, the fire of the whole French fleet under Du Casse; his cowardly officers, two of whom were afterwards tried by court-martial and shot, having basely deserted him. He died at Jamaica very soon afterwards from a wound received in the action.