Royal Yacht Near The Shore | Francis Swaine | 1768 19th Century James's Day Battle

James's Day Battle

133 lives were lost in the disaster

The foreground vessel has a white bust figurehead clearly visible - apparently male and in classical style - and has just weighed anchor

The ‘Venus’ was trying to close her to take possession when she bore away towards another ship that had appeared and which proved to be another French frigate

Royal Yacht Near The Shore | Francis Swaine | 1768 19th Century James's Day BattleThis imagined coastal scene, possibly inspired by the area around Bembridge Harbour on the Isle of Wight, features a royal yacht firing a salute as it anchors near shore. In the foreground, fishermen haul in nets, a woman carries buckets on a yoke, and a fisherman tends his catch in a small boat. A ships boat approaches the shore, while large Royal Navy warships lie in deeper water beyond. A shipyard and warship under construction appear behind the