Lot 336: After Francis Holman (British, 1729-1790) East India Company's ship Bridgewater Successfully Defending Her Cargo From Attack by the Am

Est: $8,000 USD - $12,000 USDSold:

SkinnerBoston, MA, USOctober 27, 2013

Item Overview

Description

After Francis Holman (British, 1729-1790)

East India Company's ship Bridgewater Successfully Defending Her Cargo From Attack by the American Privateer Hampden on her way from St. Helena to England, March 8, 1779.
Unsigned, vessels identified on sterns. Oil on canvas, 17 x 23 in., in a period carved wood frame. Condition: Relined, stable craquelure, repaired tears l.c. with associated retouch, minor scattered retouch.

Note: From research gleaned from the website American War of Independence at Sea (awiatsea.com), the privateer frigate Hampden,or Hamden as it was sometimes spelled, was owned by Woodbury Langdon et al. of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was first commissioned May of 1778 under Commander Thomas Pickering of Portsmouth. She captured several prizes on her voyages to European waters. This painting depicts a battle that occurred March 8, 1779. The battle was reported by an officer aboard the Hampden, and describes the homebound Hampden, sailing in company with a schooner, which came upon an English frigate thought to be an East Indian merchant ship. The Hampden chased her, fired on her, and the English vessel retreated, (and also the friendly schooner). At dawn Pickering began pursuing the frigate again and caught up with her at about 7:00 a.m. and the action began with both sides firing, until about 10:30 a.m. when the Hampden, which suffered much damage having only the foresail to get off with, retreated from the action. Captain Pickering and two other seamen were killed, and many others were wounded. The Hampden arrived back at Portsmouth on April 19, 1779, and a month later its owners were asked by the Massachusetts government to send the ship to drive out a British expedition which had established a post on the Penobscot River in Maine.

Artist or Maker

Francis (1729) Holman

Condition Report

The information on the battle can be found at the following link:
http://www.awiatsea.com/Privateers/H/Hampden%20New%20Hampshire%20Ship%20%5BPickering%5D.html

The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Auction Details

American Furniture & Decorative Arts

Skinner

October 27, 2013, 10:00 AM EST

The Heritage on the Garden 63 Park Plaza, Boston, MA, 02116, US

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