Two fleets about to engage

Two fleets about to engage. A high horizon drawing showing on the right a fleet of ships apparently with plain flags and ensigns running down towards a fleet in the left distance close-hauled on the port tack. The leading ships of each fleet have opened fire. In the right foreground is a port quarter view of a ship with a flag at the main. Among the leading ships are two flagships, one with flags at the fore and main and the other with a flag at the fore and pendant at the main.

This may be the same action as is shown in PAF6674. These two drawings may show the opening phase of the battle of Barfleur, 1692; but they are identified with even less certainty than PAG6274 drawing showing two fleets closely engaged.

Object Details

ID: PAF7021
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Velde, Willem van de, the Younger
Date made: 1700?
People: Velde, Willem van de, the Younger
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 230 x 376 mm; Mount: 402 mm x 554 mm