This picture of the end of the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805 shows Rear-Admiral Dumanoir in his flagship, the ‘Formidable’, in the right foreground, retreating from the scene of the battle; followed by the ‘Duguay Trouin’, 74, ‘Mont Blanc’, 74, ‘Scipion’, 74, and the Spanish ‘Neptuno’, 80. The latter’s escape was blocked and she re-joined the fighting, whilst all four French ships were captured on 3 November 1805 by Captain Sir Richard Strachan in the ‘Caesar’, 80 guns, with a squadron of three 74s and two frigates. Rear-Admiral Dumanoir Le Pelley had jettisoned a number of guns during his flight and had had three guns dismounted during the battle, so that ‘Formidable’ only had 65 mounted guns on 3 November (W. Laid Clowes, “The Royal Navy – a history”, vol.5, p.171).

Inscribed: “Victory of Trafalgar, in the Van. | This Scene at nearly the close of the Action with a View of the French Admiral Dumonoir [sic] and the Ships of his Division making their escape to Windward, is most respectfully inscribed to Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood, the Right Honble Lord Northesk, the several Captains, the Officers, Seamen & Marines of the Van Division, | by their devoted Servant Robt Dodd.”

This aquatint is plate 3 of a set of four engravings (PAI6149-52).