Texel, 1799 RCIN 735079

Dedication: [bottom centre, below title:] To Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, K.B. this Plate representing his taking Possession of the whole of the Dutch Ships of War in the Texel, on the 30.th of August 1799, is most respectfully inscribed / By his Obliged humble Servant / Rob.t Dodd.

A view of the fleet of the Batavian Republic, commanded by Rear-Admiral Samuel Story (1752-1811) surrendering to the British fleet, under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell (1757-1806) in the action of 30 August 1799 known as the 'Vlieter Incident'. French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802): Anglo-Russian Invasion of Holland (1799).

This view shows, on the left, the Dutch fleet, flying the naval flag of the Batavian Republic (as the Netherlands, having come under French domination, were known between 19 January 1795 and 5 June 1806). At that time the naval flag was altered by the insertion of a panel containing a 'representation of a female figure in a graceful attitude seated in a patch of greenery, and holding a spear on which is the Cap of Liberty ... At her feet a lion in a sitting or rather reclining position with its head turned sideways and with a fierce and grim expression on its face'.

The two figures sitting in the stern of the rowing boat flying the flag of truce in the middle foreground probably represents the returning Dutch flag captain, Van Capellen and the captain of the Cerberus, De Jong, from their parley with Vice-Admiral Mitchell. The surrender took place off the Dutch coast near Wieringen (52°54'00"N 04°57'00"E), which may be the town shown in the middle background, with two large windmills to the right.

This exercise was part of the Anglo-Russian expedition to Holland (also known as the Helder Expedition), a campaign which lasted from the landing of the British troops on 27 August 1799, to 19 November 1799. The objective was to neutralise the Batavian fleet and to promote a local uprising against the Batavian government.

One of a pair of aquatints by Robert Dodd; the companion print is at RCIN 735078. Parker does not give the year of publication which is 1800, as recorded in the imprint.

George III catalogue entry: Texel Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell taking possession of the whole of the Dutch Ships of War in the Texel on the 30.th of August 1799: by R. Dodd, 1800.