Additional text: [bottom, below edge of view, the names of the ships according to their position in the picture.] [Bottom left, left of title, the names of the ships and their captains, and numbers of guns and men:] British Force [bottom right, right of title, the names of the ships, numbers of guns and men of the French and Venetian fleet:] Enemys Force.

The Amphion, shown in the middle foreground, was a 36-gun frigate of which William Hoste (later Sir William Hoste) had been captain since 13 October 1805. Between 23 June 1808 and 25 December 1809, the ship took or destroyed 218 enemy vessels. On this action, Hoste was outnumbered by six frigates to four, and by 276 guns and 2,000 men to 124 guns and 900 men. Two of the other three British frigates, shown to the right of this view, were the Cerberus and Active, to each side of the Venetian ship Corona, while the Volage is shown to the left of another Venetian ship, the Bellona.

This print is dedicated to the commanders of the British frigates: Hoste, captain of the Amphion; James Alexander Gordon (later Sir James, and Admiral of the Fleet; 1782-1869), captain of the Active; Phipps Hornby (later Sir Phipps, and Admiral; 1785-1867), captain of the Volage; and Henry Whitby (1781-1812), captain of the Cerberus.

One of a pair of aquatints; the companion print is at RCIN 735162.a.

George III catalogue entry: Naval engagement Two views of the Engagement between H.M. Frigates Amphion, Active, Volage and Cerberus, and the combined French and Italian Squadrons, close to the Island of Lissa in the Gulf of Venice, on the 13.th of March 1811: by R. Dodd, 1811.

Painted by R. Dodd; London, Published by R. Dodd, Lucas Place, Commercial Road, Nov.r 1.st 1811.