This print is one of a series depicting the six French ships captured by the British fleet under Admiral Lord Howe at the Battle of the First of June, 1794, which took place 400 (nautical) miles west of the French island of Ushant. This plate, the first in the series, portrays L'Amerique ('America'), left, and Le Juste from their stern quarter at anchor at Spithead, the port to which Howe returned with his six prizes after the battle. 'America' was take into service by the Royal Navy and enjoyed a long career as Impetueux (renamed in 1795) before being broken up in 1813. The Glorious First of June, as the battle became known in Britain, was the first naval engagement between Britain and France during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed: "A Splendid Record of British Bravery displayed in the Six French Ships of the line captured the first of June 1794, as they appeared on their arrival in Portsmouth Harbour / Plate I. Le Juste & L'America / Britannia thus, her dreadful thunder hurls / Rides o'er the waves sublime, and now, / Impending hangs o'er Gallia's humbled coast. / She rules the circling deep, and awes the world."

The present print has been cut down. However, the other prints in the series are inscribed: "R Livesay London & Portsmouth and J Norman No 144 Strand, 10 March 1796."

Mounted aquatint and etching. Portfolio.