The British Channel with a part of the Atlantic Ocean and of the Coast of Ireland

Atlas-bound chart with annotations. Used on 'Bellerophon', showing movements of Nelson's squadron while searching for French fleet. It probably belonged to her captain, Henry Darby.

This chart of the Mediterranean Sea was used to record ‘Bellerophon’s’ track. A manuscript note in the lower margin records: ‘At 2 [p.m. on 1 August 1798] the French fleet consisting of 13 Sail of the Line & 4 Frigates were seen at Anchor between Alexandria & Rosetta. ¼ before sunset the Action began.’

Darby in ‘Bellerophon’, a 74-gun ship, took on the French flagship, the 120-gun ‘L’Orient’ which blew up at 10 p.m. ‘Bellerophon’ suffered 49 killed and 148 wounded, including Captain Darby who received a head wound. After the battle, ‘Bellerophon’ limped to Malta and from there to Gibraltar for repairs.

Object Details

ID: PBD8499
Collection: Charts and maps
Type: Atlas oversize
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Sayer, Robert
Date made: 1788
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Parts: The British Channel with a part of the Atlantic Ocean and of the Coast of Ireland