File:Sagone Bay, 1811 RCIN 735163.c.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 RCINs 735163.a and b.
This view shows the action, thirty minutes after the beginning, 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 Cruizer-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 ships in the foreground, with the French ships, the Giraffe and Nourrice on fire, later setting fire to the merchant ship which was with them. Burning timber from the ships had been flung in the air, landing on the martello tower which also caught fire, as seen in this view. The French ships carried a cargo of timber which was destined for the French naval yards at Toulouse. The loss of the timber delayed construction of new French ships by several months.