#nicholas pocock

[illustratus]

The Burning of the Russian 74-gun Sewolod After she had been Engaged and Silenced by HMS Implacable, Captain T. Byam Martin, in the Baltic, 26 August, 1808 ― by Nicholas Pocock

[ltwilliammowett]

The beautiful art of Nicholas Pocock (1740-1821)

Pocock was a painter who served on several ships to support his family before devoting himself entirely to his art, which was highly respected in society.

[marryat92]

“Hard a-port now!” cried Pearce, and the vessels came in collision, the spare anchor in the Aspasia’s fore-chains catching and tearing away the backstays and lanyards of the enemy’s fore-rigging, and, with a violent jerk, bringing down the fore-topmast to windward. At this moment the reserved broadside of the Aspasia was discharged, and the two frigates heeled over opposite ways, from the violent concussion of the air in the confined space between them.

— Frederick Marryat, The King's Own

The 'Brunswick' and the 'Vengeur du Peuple' at the Battle of the First of June, 1794 (detail), Nicholas Pocock, 1795.

[alineuponthewind]

The Battle of Lissa - Nicholas Pocock

[oldpaintings]

Duckworth’s action off San Domingo, 6 February 1806, 1808 by Nicholas Pocock (English, 1740--1821)

[marryat92]

Foreshadowing the boy-heroes of Henty and Kipling, Marryat’s midshipmen escape from home and school into realms of adventure which promise freedom but instead place them on a lowly rung of a complex pecking order of sailors, officers, and gentlemen—at the pinnacle of which stand family, country, and God. In The Settlers in Canada, Alfred Campbell says that “a midshipman’s ideas of independence are very great,” but the navy is the wrong place to realize those ideas: “I had rather range the wilds of America free and independent,” he tells his family, “than remain in the service, and have to touch my hat to every junior lieutenant.” Alfred’s discontent is, however, not quite typical, and he is happy enough when later promoted. Though there is usually a moment when Marryat’s heroes regret what they have left behind, it passes quickly.

— Patrick Brantlinger, Rule of Darkness: British Literature and Imperialism, 1830–1914

Nelson's Flagships at Anchor, Nicholas Pocock, 1807.

[marryat92]

As there was no time to lose, our hero very soon bade adieu to his paternal roof, as the phrase is, and found his way down to Portsmouth. As Jack had plenty of money, and was very much pleased at finding himself his own master, he was in no hurry to join his ship, and five or six companions not very creditable, whom either Jack had picked up, or had picked up Jack, and who lived upon him, strongly advised him to put it off until the very last moment.

— Frederick Marryat, Mr. Midshipman Easy

Portsmouth, drawing by Nicholas Pocock, c. 1800.

[marryat92]

The sea broke over as we lay in the trough, deluging us with water from the forecastle, aft, to the binnacles; and very often, as the ship descended with a plunge, it was with such force that I really thought she would divide in half with the violence of the shock. Double breechings were rove on the guns, and they were further secured with tackles; and strong cleats nailed behind the trunnions; for we heeled over so much when we lurched, that the guns were wholly supported by the breechings and tackles, and had one of them broken loose, it must have burst right through the lee side of the ship, and she must have foundered.

— Frederick Marryat, Peter Simple

A frigate heeling in an offshore gale, Nicholas Pocock (1740-1821).