Return of a Fleet into Plymouth Harbour

Published in May 24th, 2008

Posted by admin in 18th Century, Harbors, Royal Navy, Seven Years War

RETURN OF A FLEET INTO PLYMOUTH HARBOUR By Dominic Serres the Elder, 1766 (Highest resolution available 4102×2439) The recruited sailors had to be kept healthy. The circumstances required British ships to spend long periods of time at sea and in 1759 this problem was especially difficult. The French were planning an invasion of England and […]

A Seaman of the Pallas Leaning on a Bowchaser

Published in May 24th, 2008

Posted by admin in 18th Century, Royal Navy

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A SEAMAN OF THE PALLAS LEANING ON A BOWCHASER By Gabriel Bray, c.1776 (Highest resolution available 2046×3128) Despite the ill fate of Admiral Byng, the Royal Navy had no problem recruiting new officers. A career of a naval officer meant glory and responsibility, it promised friendship and connections in the highest circles of the British […]

The Execution of Admiral Byng, 14 March 1757

Published in May 23rd, 2008

Posted by admin in 18th Century, Royal Navy, Seven Years War

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THE EXECUTION OF ADMIRAL BYNG, 14 MARCH 1757 Anonymous, c.1760 (Highest resolution available 3538×1885) A heavily publicized trial followed and Byng was found guilty of ‘failing to do his utmost to take or capture the enemy ships’ and in an extraordinary example of self-inflicted bloodletting, he was executed by his own marines on his own […]

Admiral John Byng, 1704-57, Admiral of the Blue

Published in May 23rd, 2008

Posted by admin in 18th Century, Portraits, Royal Navy

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ADMIRAL JOHN BYNG, 1704-57, ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE By Thomas Hudson, 1749 (Highest available resolution 3329×4114) Vice Admiral John Byng was one of the five sons and ten daughters of Admiral Sir George Byng. A gentlemanly and shy person, he had amassed a fortune from his success as naval officer by 1748, and was promoted […]

Plan of the Battle of Minorca, 1756

Published in May 23rd, 2008

Posted by admin in 18th Century, Battle Scenes, Drawings, Seven Years War

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PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF MINORCA, 1756 (Highest available definition 6254×4576) First blood in the Seven Years War came at the battle of Minorca in 1756. Vice Admiral John Byng was sent to the Mediterranean to reinforce British-held Minorca against a possible French attack. The French landed 12,000 troops in mid April and began a […]

View Of The ‘Pont-Neuf’ From The Corner Of The Ordnance Stores

Published in May 21st, 2008

Posted by admin in 18th Century, French Navy, Harbors

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VIEW OF THE ‘PONT-NEUF’ FROM THE CORNER OF THE ORDNANCE STORES By Joseph Vernet, 1755 By 1750 France had only three working dry docks and none of them answered the growing needs of the French Marine. The double dock at Rochefort could not be accessed by any ship larger than the fourth rate because its […]