FRANCIS SARTORIUS (BRITISH, CIRCA 1777-1808 )

FRANCIS SARTORIUS (BRITISH, CIRCA 1777-1808 )H.M. frigate 'Clyde' capturing the French frigate 'Vestale', 20th August 1799oil on canvas23 x 30cmFootnoteAt 8.30am on 20th August 1799, the38-gun British frigate 'Clyde', commanded by Captain Charles Cunningham, wascruising near the Cordovan lighthouse, off Rochefort, when she sighted twoships to the south-west. Captain Cunningham gave chase immediately and, by11.00am, had recognised both vessels as French. When the two enemy shipsseparated soon afterwards, Cunningham decided to go after the larger which,when he caught up with her at 1.30pm, revealed herself as the 36-gun frigate 'Vestale'. After a spirited action lasting almost two hours,during which the Frenchman put up a gallant fight despite sustaining seriousdamage to her sails and rigging as well as to her hull below the water-line, 'Vestale' finally struck her colours and surrendered.Throughout the engagement however,the other enemy vessel, the 20-gun corvette 'Sagesse', stoodoff inshore and, apart from firing a few desultory rounds, did nothing toassist her consort. Once 'Vestale' surrendered, 'Sagesse' immediately crammed on more sail and fled the sceneto take refuge in the Gironde estuary where Captain Cunningham, wisely,declined to follow. In the event, the captured 'Vestale' wasdeemed too badly damaged to be assimilated into the Royal Navy but CaptainCunningham was nevertheless congratulated by his superiors for what was widelyperceived as his classic 'textbook' action.Francis Sartorius was the only member of the prolific Sartoriusfamily of artists to undertake marine painting, his father being the renowned sportingpainter John Nost Sartorius (1759-1828). It was said that Francis would havebeen far better known were it not for his premature death just as he wasbecoming established. He exhibited marine paintings at the Royal Academy from1799-1808.