This aquatint depicts a moment from the Action of 31 March 1800, a naval engagement during the French Revolutionary Wars off the coast of Malta between a British Royal Navy squadron and the French Navy ship, the ‘Guillaume Tell’. The latter was subsequently captured and renamed HMS ‘Malta’.

From left to right, the following ships have been depicted: the ‘Guillaume Tell’ shown port-quarter, the HMS ‘Penelope’ shown port-broadside, and the ‘Strombli’ in the same manner. The HMS ‘Lion’ and the HMS ‘Foudroyant’ are most likely either of the two ships in the right background. On the port side of the ‘Guillaume Tell’ you can see the yard of the main topmast overboard, having been broken off during battle. The topmast of the mizen is also missing, cut off at the top of the flag. Her stern also appears to have caught fire with smoke billowing towards the left of the image.

Inscribed: ‘The Disabled situation of the Guillaume Tel of 84 Guns, bearing the Flag of Vice Admiral Decres, as she appeared at Daylight on the 30th March, 1800, after having been Engaged by His Majesty’s Ship Penelope, commanded by the Honble Henry Blackwood, the Strombli Brig, Lion & Foudroyant coming up, by the two latter of which Ships She was afterwards engaged’