The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759 RMG PU8709

The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759
This drawing appears to be a study for an oil painting of this subject by Pocock (BHC0399), which was painted as a historical piece in 1812. The ship sinking toward the left is the French 'Thésée'. See also PAD8712. The Battle of Quiberon Bay saw Admiral Edward Hawke defeat the French fleet of Admiral Hubert de Brienne, Count de Conflans off of southern Brittany in a furious, winter-evening action on a dangerous lee shore and, thereby, thwart a projected invasion attempt. A number of French ships took refuge in the estuary of the Vilaine River and were trapped there for months. The British took and burnt de Conflans's flagship 'Soleil Royal' off Le Croisic, though they also lost two ships (and around 800 men) wrecked on the off-lying Plateau du Four. It was the last battle of the celebrated 'year of victories' during the Seven Years War of 1756–63, prompting the actor David Garrick's composition of the still well known song 'Hearts of Oak' that December.