(Recto) Gibraltar, with HMS 'Trafalgar' at anchor, a Spanish smuggling boat and the steamer 'Oberon', 26 August 1851; (Verso) 'Mon Juc' [Montjuïc] Barcelona, September 1851

No. 9 of 36 (PAI0849 - PAI0884).

(Recto) Inscribed top left 'Gibraltar / Aug 26th 1851' and along the bottom 'Spanish smuggling boat', 'Trafalgar / Capt Greville' and 'Oberon / Lt Norman [?]', the last being an iron paddle sloop (built 1847). The drawing is a very precise view of the 'Trafalgar' with her topgallant masts sent down against the background of Gibraltar seen from almost due west, presumably from a boat. The land neck connecting with Spain is on the left with, clearly visible, the 18th century artillery embrasures of the tunnelled galleries, high in the cliff above around the Notch, as is the Moorish Tower of Homage crowning the old city wall just below. The 'Trafalgar' obscures much of the town, though the end of the Devil's Tongue Battery is just visible to her left. The 'Oberon' is anchored to the right, with Europa Point behind.

(Verso) Inscribed top left ' Mon Juic / Sept 51' this shows the hilltop fortress of Montjuïc on the high cape just south-east of Barcelona, with a Spanish boat off it and a paddle steamer to the right (inscribed below) 'Oberon / Lt Norman'. It forms the left half of a panoramic drawing of Barcelona from the sea, the other part being PAI0858 (recto): see for description.

Object Details

ID: PAI0857
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Mends, George Pechell; Mends, George Pechell
Places: Gibraltar
Vessels: Oberon (1847); Trafalgar (1841)
Date made: 26 August 1851; Aug-Sep 1851
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 255 x 372 mm
Parts: Captain Captain George Pechell Mends' 'Trafalgar' sketchbook: (inside front cover) 'Hints on Drawing' with a small watercolour landscape sketch (Sketchbook)