This watercolour is on two conjoined sheets and is inscribed very faintly in an old hand along the bottom "Battle off St. Lucia & Martinique May 1 1781. English Fleet under Sir Samuel Hood French Fleet under Comte de Grasse". However, when shown in the NMM Pocock exhibition (1975), no. 65, Harley Preston noted that it was difficult to reconcile the close action of the fleets shown with the recorded facts of what was a long-range engagement. It was purchased for the Museum from a Mrs. Pocock in Yorkshire by Sir James Caird in 1936. [PvdM 10/08] 'Barfleur' is shown in the centre of the picture.