catalog text
HENRY SCOTT R.S.A.
British, 1911-2005
"Sea Battle, 'Shannon' engaging 'Chesapeake', 1st of June 1813"
Oil on canvas | signed lower left | titled to the reverse on the stretcher bar
ref. 502LKO07C
29 1/4" H x 41" W x 2 1/4" D [frame]
24" H x 36" W [canvas]
Provenance:
- With MacConnal-Mason & Son, Ltd.
Essay
An extraordinarily powerful example by Henry Scott of the iconic historical naval engagement between Shannon and Chesapeake on June 1st of 1813, this is a view Scott executed at least one other time in the same dimension. That example sold at Christie's, London on July 11th of 2019 (lot 125) where it achieved 7,500 GBP ($ 9,375 USD at time of sale) and had also previously sold at Christie's, New York on February 3rd of 2005 (lot 253) where it achieved $ 13,200 USD.
A popular subject for maritime painters, Scott is perhaps unique in the incredible motion and drama he evokes in the scene. The sense of peril is so tangible as the relatively still waters are kicked up by cannon balls dropping into the ocean as smoke lingers between the ships. It is almost a perfect paradox, the calm waters and brilliant blue skies framing such a dangerous encounter.
The Naval Action Between HMS *Shannon* and USS *Chesapeake*, June 1st of 1813
On June 1, 1813, during the War of 1812, the British frigate HMS *Shannon* engaged the American frigate USS *Chesapeake* off the coast of Boston. This battle, lasting only about 15 minutes, was one of the most decisive single-ship engagements of the war and marked a rare British victory in a conflict that had, until then, seen several American frigate triumphs over Royal Navy vessels.
By 1813, the United States Navy had already secured significant victories against the Royal Navy, including the defeat of HMS *Guerriere* by USS *Constitution* in 1812 and the loss of HMS *Java* to the same American warship. These successes challenged Britain's naval dominance and boosted American morale. However, the Royal Navy remained a formidable force, imposing a blockade along the American coast, particularly targeting Boston, where USS *Chesapeake* had been refitting.
HMS *Shannon*, under the command of Captain Philip Broke, was a 38-gun frigate that had been stationed off Boston for weeks, maintaining a strict training regimen for her crew. Captain Broke, known for his rigorous gunnery drills, sent a formal challenge to Captain James Lawrence of USS *Chesapeake*, inviting him to engage in a single-ship duel. Though the challenge may not have been received in time, Lawrence took *Chesapeake* to sea on June 1, seeking battle.
The two ships met in the waters off Boston at approximately 6:00 p.m. As they closed to within a few hundred yards, *Shannon* fired an initial broadside that inflicted heavy damage on *Chesapeake’s* deck and rigging. The American crew struggled to return fire effectively, and within minutes, a second broadside from *Shannon* severely wounded Captain Lawrence.
As command aboard *Chesapeake* faltered, *Shannon*'s crew launched a boarding action. British sailors and marines overwhelmed the American defenders in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Within 15 minutes of the first shots, *Chesapeake* was captured. Captain Lawrence, mortally wounded, famously uttered his last command: **"Don't give up the ship,"** a phrase that would later become a rallying cry for the U.S. Navy.
HMS *Shannon* escorted the captured *Chesapeake* to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the wounded were treated, and the ship was later integrated into the Royal Navy. The engagement was widely celebrated in Britain, restoring confidence in British naval superiority after earlier American successes. Captain Broke, though severely wounded in the battle, was hailed as a hero and later knighted.
For the United States, the defeat was a blow to naval morale, but Lawrence’s dying words became legendary. His phrase, later emblazoned on the battle flag of USS *Niagara* at the Battle of Lake Erie, cemented his legacy in American naval history.
The battle between *Shannon* and *Chesapeake* remains a defining moment in naval warfare, illustrating the importance of discipline, training, and leadership in single-ship engagements. The event is frequently depicted in maritime art, capturing the intensity and swiftness of the battle that unfolded just miles from the American coastline.
Condition:
Very fine original condition. Varnish presents with a very minor grime/discoloration, overall bright and clear. Spot of craquelure in upper left quadrant. Under UV examination, surface appears to be clean and free of restoration or inpainting - all paint flouresces brilliantly and evenly. Original frame with minor wear and inpainting in a few areas. Ready to hang.
Biography
Henry Scott, R.S.A (British, 1911–2005)
Henry Scott was a British marine painter specializing in maritime and coastal subjects, particularly ship portraits of British and American clippers. His work is often favorably compared to that of Montague Dawson, with whom he shared a similar approach in capturing the movement and energy of the sea. His compositions frequently depict vessels under full sail, with churning waves and dynamic skies that enhance the sense of motion. His meticulous attention to atmospheric conditions and his distinctive palette made his paintings sought after by collectors and shipowners alike.
Scott exhibited widely throughout his career. He was closely associated with the Royal Society of Marine Artists, displaying his works there from 1950 to 1966. His paintings were also shown at the Royal Academy, the Royal Exchange, and the Guildhall in London. Internationally, his works were exhibited at the St. Malo Museum in France and Madison Square in New York. His contributions to the field of marine art were further recognized through his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (F.R.S.A.).
A significant portion of Scott’s output consisted of commissioned works for private patrons. Among his most notable commissions was Morning Cloud (1970), depicting the yacht owned and skippered by then-Prime Minister Edward Heath. This work exemplified Scott’s ability to render vessels with remarkable accuracy while maintaining a sense of vitality and movement.
Scott was honored with an honorary life membership in the International Association of Master Mariners, known as the "Cape Horners."