Commencing the Rear Action
About the Painting:
The painting is based on The Second Battle of Algeciras (also known as the Battle of the Gut of Gibraltar) it focuses on the story of HMS Superb, (Captain Richard G Keats), just as she catches the Franco/ Spanish squadron, about to commence a rear action to hinder their progress. With the sun setting between the 2 giant Spanish Ships, Real Carlos and San Hermengildo, both 112 guns, and the French ship St. Antoine ahead to starboard, the rear action began and succeeded in halting the rest of the squadron, the British caught up and the battle continued through the night.
About the Battle:
The battle followed the First Battle of Algeciras on 6 July, in which a French squadron anchored at the Spanish port of Algeciras was attacked by a larger British squadron based at nearby Gibraltar. In a heavy engagement fought in calm weather in the close confines of Algeciras Bay, the British force had been becalmed and battered, suffering heavy casualties and losing the 74-gun ship HMS Hannibal. Retiring for repairs, both sides called up reinforcements, the French receiving support first, from the Spanish fleet based at Cádiz, which sent six ships of the line to escort the French squadron to safety.
The second battle 12-13 July 1801 - the squadron was ready to sail again on 12 July, departing Algeciras to the westwards during the evening. The British squadron under Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez, having effected its own hasty repairs, set off in pursuit. Finding that his ships were falling behind, Saumarez instructed his captains to separate and attack the combined squadron as best they were able to. The fastest ship was HMS Superb under Captain Richard Goodwin Keats, which sailed through the Spanish rearguard as night fell. Superb fired on the rearmost ships, setting the 112-gun Real Carlos on fire and capturing the Saint Antoine. Unable to determine friend from foe in the darkness, Real Carlos inadvertently engaged the Spanish ship San Hermenegildo, spreading the fire to its compatriot. Both ships subsequently exploded with enormous loss of life. A second stage of the battle then developed, as HMS Venerable took the lead of the British line, from Superb, which stayed on to capture French ship St. Antoine.
About the Painting:
The painting is based on The Second Battle of Algeciras (also known as the Battle of the Gut of Gibraltar) it focuses on the story of HMS Superb, (Captain Richard G Keats), just as she catches the Franco/ Spanish squadron, about to commence a rear action to hinder their progress. With the sun setting between the 2 giant Spanish Ships, Real Carlos and San Hermengildo, both 112 guns, and the French ship St. Antoine ahead to starboard, the rear action began and succeeded in halting the rest of the squadron, the British caught up and the battle continued through the night.
About the Battle:
The battle followed the First Battle of Algeciras on 6 July, in which a French squadron anchored at the Spanish port of Algeciras was attacked by a larger British squadron based at nearby Gibraltar. In a heavy engagement fought in calm weather in the close confines of Algeciras Bay, the British force had been becalmed and battered, suffering heavy casualties and losing the 74-gun ship HMS Hannibal. Retiring for repairs, both sides called up reinforcements, the French receiving support first, from the Spanish fleet based at Cádiz, which sent six ships of the line to escort the French squadron to safety.
The second battle 12-13 July 1801 - the squadron was ready to sail again on 12 July, departing Algeciras to the westwards during the evening. The British squadron under Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez, having effected its own hasty repairs, set off in pursuit. Finding that his ships were falling behind, Saumarez instructed his captains to separate and attack the combined squadron as best they were able to. The fastest ship was HMS Superb under Captain Richard Goodwin Keats, which sailed through the Spanish rearguard as night fell. Superb fired on the rearmost ships, setting the 112-gun Real Carlos on fire and capturing the Saint Antoine. Unable to determine friend from foe in the darkness, Real Carlos inadvertently engaged the Spanish ship San Hermenegildo, spreading the fire to its compatriot. Both ships subsequently exploded with enormous loss of life. A second stage of the battle then developed, as HMS Venerable took the lead of the British line, from Superb, which stayed on to capture French ship St. Antoine.