Draft of a stern view of the hull and lower masts of H.M.S. Queen Charlotte
signed 'J. Perriman' and dated 1807 (lower right)
pen and ink on paper laid down
61 x 54.5cm (24 x 21 7/16in).
unframed

Footnotes

This work is dated 1807, mid-way through the building of the second Queen Charlotte, which ordered after the loss of the first vessel so named in 1800. It clearly shows the elaborate carved and embellished stern of an earlier era, namely circa 1782 when the original Queen Charlotte was designed. One of the two 'Royal George' class of first rates, Queen Charlotte – named for King George III's consort – was designed by Edward Hunt in 1782 and built at Chatham dockyard under the supervision of Master Shipwright Nicholas Phillips. Although ordered on 12th December 1782, her keel was not laid until 1st September 1785 and she was launched on 15th April 1790. Completed on 7th June 1790, she cost just over £66,000 (including fitting out) and was measured at 2,286 tons. With an overall length of 190 feet and a 52 foot beam, she mounted 100 guns, including 30-32pdrs. as her main armament, and required a crew of 850 officers and men for wartime service.

First commissioned in May 1790 under Rear-Admiral John Leveson Gower and Captain Roger Curtis as flagship to Admiral Lord Howe, this employment proved short-lived and Queen Charlotte was laid up in reserve before the year was out. Re-commissioned when war with France was declared in February 1793, again as flagship to Lord Howe, she was present at the 'Glorious First of June' (1794), the first fleet action of the War, from which she emerged with distinction. Less glorious however was the fact that, when flagship to Admiral Lord Bridport, the 'Spithead Mutiny' began amongst her men on 15th April 1797 and thereafter spread throughout the fleet. In the event, her career came to a premature and dramatic end when, as flagship to Admiral Lord Keith in the Mediterranean, she caught fire accidentally and was burned off Leghorn, Italy on 17th March 1800; 673 men were lost from her total complement of 829.

Saleroom notices

The estimate should read £400 - 600

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- Marine Pictures & Works of Art

J. Perriman(British, 19th Century)Draft of a stern view of the hull and lower masts of H.M.S. Queen Charlotte unframed

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Alistair Laird