

English Ships in a Storm

Photo credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

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Three Royal Naval warships are depicted in a storm. The one in the foreground is largely obscured by the waves breaking over her deck, but is probably a 20-gun vessel. She flies a Union Jack on a staff at her sprit top, a large red commissioning pennant at the main and red pennants on the fore- and mizzen masts, indicating that she is a member of the red squadron. Her figurehead is carved in the form of a lion with a red crown. The ship on the far left also flies the red ensign. Both ships in the foreground have been depicted running before the gale under very reduced canvas of fore-topsail and mizzen driver, while the ship in the distance on the left has the wind abeam under fore- and main courses. Both the foreground ships have sailors depicted in the rigging.

National Maritime Museum





oil on canvas


H 94.5 x W 127 cm

Accession number


Work type




National Maritime Museum

Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England

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