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Naval Ingenuity at Sea: HMS Grafton's Homeward Voyage, 1758
About the Item
HMS Grafton was a British Royal Navy ship active during the 18th century. The ship’s history is part of the broader narrative of British naval operations during a period marked by colonial expansion, exploration, and frequent maritime conflicts, particularly the War of the Spanish Succession and the Seven Years' War.
Commodore Charles Holmes was a notable naval officer of the period. He served in the Royal Navy and was involved in several important naval battles and expeditions. One of his significant roles was during the Seven Years' War, where he participated in operations in the West Indies and along the North American coast.
As for HMS Grafton itself, ships of this era were typically third-rate ships of the line or frigates, armed with a substantial number of cannons and manned by crews of several hundred sailors and officers. They were the workhorses of the Royal Navy, involved in blockades, escort duties, patrols, and battles. The mention of the ship losing its rudder and sailing back to England with a "Machine Constructed instead" is a testament to the ingenuity of the crew and the improvisational skills often necessary in naval operations at the time.
The specific details of HMS Grafton's design, voyages, and battles would be recorded in the ship's logs, naval records, and historical accounts of the period. These details can provide a richer picture of the ship's service history and the life and career of Commodore Charles Holmes. Such records are typically held in national archives or maritime museums and can be a valuable resource for researchers interested in naval history.
The text on the engraving provides several pieces of information about the image:
1. The engraving is sourced from "The Universal Magazine" and is dated at the top as being from 1758. It was intended for publication or distribution at the "King's Arms in Newgate Street, London," which likely refers to a bookseller or publisher located there at the time.
2. The ship depicted is "His MAJESTY'S SHIP the GRAFTON, Commodore CHARLES HOLME'S, Commander," indicating that this vessel was part of the British Royal Navy and under the command of a Commodore Holmes.
3. It notes that the ship "sailed to England with a Machine Constructed instead of her Rudder, which she lost in the late Storm off Louisbourgh." This suggests that the GRAFTON had suffered damage to its rudder, a critical component for steering the ship, and had to employ an innovative mechanical solution to make the journey back to England.
4. The artwork for the engraving was "Drawn by an Officer on Board," implying that an eyewitness, likely with navigational or artistic skills, was responsible for the original drawing that the engraving is based on. The engraver's name appears to be "Bryce Sculpsit" or "Bryce Sculpt.," indicating the person who engraved the image.
The engraving would be of particular interest to naval historians or enthusiasts of maritime history, highlighting the resourcefulness of the ship's crew and the adaptability of naval technology during the 18th century. It also provides a visual record of the GRAFTON, a naval ship from the mid-1700s, which might have been involved in various military campaigns, possibly including the Seven Years' War, given the date of the engraving.
- Dimensions:Height: 8.08 in (20.5 cm)Width: 9.65 in (24.5 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1758
- Condition:Good. Light soiling, mostly around the borders, due to age and handling. Two folding lines, as published. Study the image carefully.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Langweer, Netherlands
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