Lot 200: William Wood (1769-1810); a fine portrait

William Wood (1769-1810); a fine portrait miniature of Captain Birch, facing right, in blue coat with white waistcoat, signed on reverse and dated 1805, in rectangular ebonised frame with gilt bezel, 8.5 x 7cm. Captain Birch commanded the East India Ship "The Britannia". Britannia was built in 1806 by Wells & Co, London and owned by the East Indian Company. Launched in 1806, her first voyage was to Bombay and China under Captain Jonathan Birch, departing from Portsmouth 26th Feb 1807 and returning 1st July 1808. On the second voyage in 1808/9 to Madras and China under Captain Jonathan Birch, she ran aground and was lost off Goodwin Sands on 24th January 1809 (Illustrated).