In front are some eight large vessels, some with the yards manned,
others with their sails partly set; other ships are seen behind.
On the frame in front is written:--"_To the R^{t}. Hon^{ble}.
W^{m}. Pitt this view of the British Fleet, which secured to
England the uninterrupted navigation of the Southern Ocean is
dedicated_." William Elliot was a bad marine painter in the style
of Serres.
223 Battle of Camperdown--Close of the Action (_1064_). [See Companion
Piece, No. 225.] . . . . . J. T. SERRES.
In the centre is a British flag-ship, shown at the end of a long
line of vessels. On the right is one of the enemy on fire, to which
boats are hastening. On the left is a ship with the name
"WASSANAER."
224 The Day after the Battle of Trafalgar (_1057_). [See Companion
Piece, No. 217.] . . . . . HUGGINS.
It represents the storm which separated the squadron the day after
the battle. On the right is a dismantled vessel rolling over; on
the left is the "Victory." On canvas, 8 ft. high, by 10 ft. wide.
225 Battle of Camperdown--Lord Duncan's Victory (_1053_). [See Companion
Piece, No. 223.] . . . . . J. T. SERRES.
The English fleet is ranged in three lines about to begin the
action by breaking the line of the enemy ranged beyond them. The
enemy have already opened fire. On canvas, 3 ft. high, by 4 ft.
wide. Signed, "J. T. Serres, 1793."
John Thomas Serres was the son of Dominic Serres, who brought him
up as a marine painter. In the year in which this picture was
painted he succeeded, on his father's death, to the office of
marine painter to the King, and one of his duties in this post was
to make sketches of the harbours on the enemy's coast. He married
the _soi-disant_ Princess Olive of Cumberland, who lost him his
appointment, and brought him to misery, destitution, imprisonment,
and madness. (Redgrave's _Dict. of Artists_.)