BHC0426

The Quebec' and 'Surveillance' in action, 6 October 1779 Long Caption: The British and French frigate action represented in this painting was desperately fought. The frigates were accompanied by cutters, the 'Quebec', 32 guns, by the 'Rambler', 10 guns, and the 'Surveillante', 36 guns, by the 'Expedition', 10 guns. Both frigates sighted each other at dawn off Ushant and the 'Quebec', being up-wind of the 'Surveillante', ran down on her, while the Frenchman sailed close to the wind to await her. Close and furious action ensued for over three hours, after which both the damage to the masts and the heavy swell combined to bring down the masts of both vessels. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: BHC0426 Artist: Robert Dodd Date: 1781 Medium: oil on canvas Size: 610 mm x 889 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.