Lot 174: Mrs. Isabella Beetham (British, circa 1753-1825) A silhouette of Vice Admiral Sir Richard Grindall KCB (1750–1820), profile to the left, wearing coat with buttons and epaulette, waistcoat, frilled chemise, stock, his hair worn en queue, tied with a

A silhouette of Vice Admiral Sir Richard Grindall KCB (1750–1820), profile to the left, wearing coat with buttons and epaulette, waistcoat, frilled chemise, stock, his hair worn en queue, tied with a ribbon bow.
Painted on the reverse of convex glass backed with wax, rectangular pearwood mounted papier-mâché frame with verre églomisé border, the reverse with unbroken trade label no.5, inscribed Born in 1751/ 23 May 1820/ Died υ1/2 past 11 a.m. at/ Wickham Hants &/ interred on 26υth in the/ Evening.
Oval, 83mm (3 1/4in) high

Vice Admiral Sir Richard Grindall began his career as an Able Seaman on Captain James Cook's second voyage (1772-75). He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1776, Commander in 1781 and Captain in 1783. His distinguished career during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary War (during which, he lost his right arm in action) and the Napoleonic Wars under Lord Nelson, was highlighted by his presence at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, when despite being cursed with the ungainly HMS Prince, he was instrumental in the final stages of the battle.

HMS Prince took over two hours to cover the two or three miles to reach the battle. By the time she arrived most of the enemy fleet was in British hands or had fled, leaving few targets for the Prince's massive broadsides. She did fire on the Spanish flagship Principe de Asturias and the already blazing Achille but was not attacked and suffered no damage or casualties. Making the most of his unique position, Grindall immediately launched boats and rescued hundreds of struggling survivors in the water, including many from the sinking Achille.

After Trafalgar, Grindall was made a Rear Admiral and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. So many Commanders were promoted that not enough posts could be found for them, and Grindall was one of those who never commanded at sea again, taking a shore appointment in late 1805 and retiring with his family soon afterwards as a Vice-Admiral.