The dock is on rising ground to the right; on the left is seen the
Medway. Various ships are on the river.
234 Commencement of Sir Robert Calder's Action, July 22nd, 1805
(_1038_). [See Companion Piece, No. 202.] . . . . . N. POCOCK.
A small English ship is engaging two French vessels on the left.
On the 19th of July, Calder had received despatches from Nelson
stating that the combined Franco-Spanish fleet was on its return
from the West Indies, and he cruised about off Cape Finisterre in
the hope of intercepting it. Though both sides lost heavily, the
action had no very decided result. The small English ship is
probably the "Hero," the van-ship of the British, which began the
attack.
Nicholas Pocock, like D. Serres, acquired his knowledge of the sea
in the navy, which he gave up to adopt marine painting as a
profession.
235 George III. Reviewing the Fleet at Portsmouth (_1014_) . . . . . D.
SERRES.
To the right is a large line-of-battle ship firing a salute.
Several yachts with officers and spectators on board are seen.
This, and Nos. 203, 209, and 231 pieces were painted by Dominic
Serres, a native of Gascony, who, after running away from home,
becoming a sailor, and then master of a trading vessel, and being
captured by an English frigate, settled in England and took to
painting marine pieces to earn a living. He was one of the original
members of the Royal Academy, and frequently exhibited. He is to be
distinguished from his son, J. T. Serres (see No. 225).