The ‘Foudroyant’ had briefly been Nelson's Mediterranean flagship in 1799, during his controversial involvement in suppressing the republican uprising at Naples in that year. It became a guardship in 1820 and a harbour-based training ship in 1862. It was later sold to the nautical philanthropist Geoffrey Wheatley Cobb, who refitted it for a round-Britain sail-training cruise manned by a largely boy crew. During this voyage, in 1897, it was at anchor off Blackpool when driven ashore on the beach there in bad weather and became a total wreck. This proved hard to demolish until explosives were used with tragic effect. For while spectators were kept at a supposed safe distance, a lady visitor to Blackpool was killed by falling debris.

‘Foudroyant’ is shown in starboard-broadside view, tipped over somewhat onto her starboard side, and in a considerable state of disrepair in the sands, with the sea as a backdrop.

One element depicted with particular clarity is the ship’s figurehead, a bust-length crowned semi-nude male figure. This accords well with the various other representations of the ship in a variety of media in both the NMM and other museum collections (select the ‘Vessels’ link for comparisons). [PvdM amended 10/18]