Special Ships
Shannon and Chesapeake
© Robin Brooks 2007 H.M.S. Shannon and U.S.S. Chesapeake |
Artist's NoteOn 18th June 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain and I have found many interesting incidents from this brief period, which over the years, I have attempted to portray on canvas. Amongst these incidents included the action between the US Constitution and HMS Guerrière, US Wasp and HM Frolic, Constitution and Java etc. These were notable successes for the fledgling US navy and shocking failures for the British. Towards the end of this tragic war, there was a particularly noteworthy British success. |
© Robin Brooks 2007 H.M.S. Shannon and U.S.S. Chesapeake |
The Four PaintingsThe earliest of the four paintings dates from 1973/4. The two black and white images, taken from Rackhams' sale catalogue for their Annual Exhibition in Birmingham, were exhibited as a pair. The paintings 16" x 20", oil on canvas, showed two distinct phases of the action.The top illustration shows the Chesapeake ranging up broadside to broadside, at less than 50 yards off Shannon's starboard beam, 5.51 pm approx. The second illustration shows the Chesapeake making stern board and about to collide with the Shannon at approx. 5.55 pm. |
© Robin Brooks 2007 Duel off Cape Ann |
The third, much larger canvas, 24" x 36", was exhibited at the Royal Society of Marine Artists' Annual Exhibition, Mall Gallery, London 1983. The composition is similar to one of the earlier canvases.
"A superb picture by Robin Brooks, with gun flashes and smoke, particularly striking"James A Farden, Alexander Galleries. Sold by Alexander Galleries and thus to a private collector. This painting appeared on the front cover of Sea History, the magazine of the National Maritime Historical Society, New York, Summer 1998. |
© Robin Brooks 2007 Don't give up the ship - H.M.S. Shannon and U.S.S. Chesapeake |
The fourth canvas painted in 1993/4, oil on canvas, 16" x 20", was exhibited at Gallerie Marine, Appledore, then at Harrods picture gallery and thus to a private collector. Note: In this latter canvas, the artist has depicted the Chesapeake with a narrow buff band, extending from the figurehead just below the gun ports, running aft. Some authorities have suggested that the ship was so painted at this time. |
Fragment of the ensign of the US Chesapeake |
The Stars and Stripes, 1795 - 1818 pattern. These two illustrations come from Timothy Wilson's 'Flags at Sea', first published 1986 by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. |
More Special Ships in this Section
- Special Ships page 1: Danmark and US Eagle
- Special Ships page 2: HMS Repulse
- Special Ships page 3: HMS Dorsetshire and HMS Cornwall
- Special Ships page 4: Resolution and Adventure in the Antarctic
- Special Ships page 5: HMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake
- Special Ships page 6: HMS Ark Royal
- Special Ships page 7: HMS Exeter (1931-1942)
- Special Ships page 8: HMS Exeter (1980 onwards)
- Special Ships page 9: HMS Exeter, page 2
- Special Ships page 10: Painting HMS Exeter - notes from the shipyard
Back to the top
If you like Robin's new website,