File:Sagone Bay, 1811 RCIN 735163.a.jpg
Sagone Bay, 1811.
A view of three British frigates attacking French transport ships in the Bay of Sagone on 1 May 1811. Napoleonic Wars (1803-15). Proof copy.
One of three views; the companion prints are at RCIN 735163.b and c.
This view shows the beginning of the action by three British ships: the Pomone (38-gun frigate), Captain Robert Barrie (later Sir Robert; 1774-1841); the Unité (the former French 40-gun frigate Imperieuse, captured by the British in 1793 and renamed in 1802), Captain Chamberlayne; to the left of the view, Scout (a Cruiser-class 18-gun brig sloop), Captain Alexander Renton Sharpe (d.1860; not promoted to captain until 2 January 1813; Vice-Admiral 30 October 1855).
The scene shows the British firing on three French ships which were nestled under the protective fires of the batteries under the martello tower, clearly seen in the middle background. The French ships carried a cargo of timber which was destined for the French naval yards at Toulouse. After ninety minutes, two of the French ships, the Giraffe and Nourrice caught fire, setting fire to the merchant ship which was with them. The loss of the timber delayed construction of new French ships by several months.