Lot 370: Robert Strickland Thomas (British, 1787-1853)H.M.S. Queen off Portsmouth signed and dated 1849, oil

on canvas 24 1/2 x 36 in. (62.2 x 91.5 cm.) HMS Queen, the last Royal Navy sailing battleship to be completed before the advent of steam, was launched in Ports,outh in Portsmouth on 15th May,1839. She was originally to be named Royal Frederick, but was renamed in honour of Queen Victoria before she was completed. A 3104 ton ship, her armament consisted of 100 guns spread over her four decks. In almost continuous commission for twenty years, she was part of the fleet sent to the Black Sea during the Crimean War of 1854-1856, where she was distinguished herself at the first bombardment of Sebastopol on 17th October, 1854. HMS Queen was one of many vessels involved in a warship modernisation programme during 1858 and 1859. She was cut down to a two decker of 86 guns and installed with a 500 horsepower engine, and with her new increase in speed she was promptly commissioned into the Mediterranean Fleet, where she remained until finally returning home in 1864. Robert Strickland Thomas was born on 18th October, 1787 and joined the Navy on 8th November, 1805 serving on board the 38 gun 5th Rate Princess Charlotte under Captain George Tobin. He was employed at first on the West Indies station and then on the coast of Ireland. As a keen amateur painter and friendof the well known Teignmouth marine artist Thomas Luny, it is likely that Tobin encouraged the young R.S Thomas to sketch. From March, 1807 until June, 1813 Thomas served as Midshipman and Master's Mate on the 18 gun sloop Brisk. He then joined the 5th Rate Creole where he was nominated Acting-Lieutenant on 24th January 1814. On 11th March, 1815 he was advanced to Lieutenant and settled in Portsmouth. His intimate knowledge of the Navy gave Thomas a great wealth of subject matter to paint, and although not a prolific artist, his paintings are done in an accurate and pleasing manner. He exhibited three works at the Royal Academy between 1839 and 1842, and examples of his work can be seen at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.