Pocock, Nicholas. “Commodore Wilson’s Action with two French Men of War”

Nicholas Pocock.  “Commodore Wilson’s Action with two French Men of War.” 

From The Naval Chronicle.  London: J. Gold, 1805.  Octavo, image ca. 5 x 8.  Aquatint.

Between 1799 and 1818, The Naval Chronicle, was the preeminent maritime journal reporting news about the British navy.  Issued twice a year, it was published during a period in which the British navy fought the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, and came to “rule the waves.”  This wonderful journal included action reports, intelligence on various matters related to the British and other navies, and biographies of naval officers.  Many of the reports were accounts by officers directly involved, such as Lord Horatio Nelson.  Included with the articles were portraits, images of naval action, and views of the many ports in which the navy called.  These are important, first-hand images of this turbulent period.

The artist of this print, Nicholas Pocock (1740-1821), was one of the outstanding marine artists of his day and also made an important contribution to the recording of British naval battles of the early 19^th century.   The way in which he depicted his subjects reflects his knowledge of how these ships operated at sea.  An excellent example of English naval prints of this period.