Battle of Lissa, 1811 RCIN 735161.a

A view of the Battle of Lissa (or Battle of Vis), fought on 13 March 1811 between a combined French and Venetian squadron, commanded by Rear-Admiral Bernard Dubourdieu (1773-1811), and a smaller British squadron, commanded by Captain William Hoste (1780-1828), resulting in a British victory. Napoleonic Wars (1803-15).

The Amphion, shown in the middle of a group of three ships, right of centre of this view, was a 36-gun frigate of which William Hoste (later Sir William Hoste) had been captain since 13 October 1805. Between 23 June 1808 and 25 December 1809, the ship took or destroyed 218 enemy vessels. On this action, Hoste was outnumbered by six frigates to four, and by 276 guns and 2,000 men to 124 guns and 900 men. The other three British frigates, shown to the right of this view, were the Cerberus, Active and Volage.

One of a pair of aquatints by Lambe; the companion print is at RCIN 735161.b. The only source for the information that RCIN 735161.a was engraved by Merke after a painting by George Webster is the George III catalogue entry. Parker (no. 210) makes no mention of a pair of aquatints published by Lambe and his no.210.b refers only to RCIN 735161.a.

George III catalogue entry: Naval Engagement Two views of the Engagement between H.M. Ships Amphion, Cerberus, Volage and Active, and the united French and Italian Squadrons, off the Island of Lissa in the Adriatic Sea, on the 13,th of March 1811: by Webster, engraved by Merke and published by Lambe, 1812.

aquatint prints battle of lissa 1811 george webster hms active ship 1799 hms amphion ship 1798 hms cerberus ship 1794 hms volage ship 1807 henri merke prints in the royal collection of the united kingdom regia marina ships royal navy sailing ships ship british navy

1828

Royal Collection of the United Kingdom

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