PFP seems to have had a bit of talent as an artist, at least in my opinion.
I believe info about Decatur is in error. I think his brother was killed in 1804, against the Barbary Pirates. Stephen later commanded USS United States (sister ship of Constitution) against HMS Macedonian in 1812, and at the end of the war surrendered USS President (third of the original 44 gun "super frigates" to British Forces. He also led the American squadron against the Barbary Pirates in 1815, and in a way set up things for Lord Exmouth's bombardment of Algiers.
Regarding USS Philadelphia... William Bainbridge was captain when it ran aground and was captured. Decatur commanded Intrepid which boarded, recaptured, and burnt the frigate to prevent it's use by the Barbary Pirates. Dave
I believe info about Decatur is in error. That's interesting, the text above is paraphrased from the auction catalogue and you're right, they've got it wrong! The catalogue seems to have conflated Stephen with his brother James, who was killed in 1804 commanding the attack craft of the Tripoli squadron.
This is actually the second error I've come across in the catalogue, there's a mistake in the entry about Pownoll Fleetwood Pellew too. He's described as "the third son of Pownoll Bastard, the 2nd Viscount of Exmouth", which is correct, and "the nephew of Admiral Sir Edward Pellew", which most certainly isn't!
So much easier to do research when you care about the people involved. They probably put someone on the job who did not know or care about any of these long ago people with similar names. Whereas-- to us, they are as real as anyone! (realer, in some cases!)
Oh that is amazing. Look at Pownell Fleetwood's sketchbook! In those days art was not considered a strange gift. it was just something you learned to do, to record things,and for fun. But he was really good.
art was not considered a strange gift. it was just something you learned to do, to record things Very true, as far as I'm aware producing sketch books like this was a compulsory part of cadet training at the Portsmouth Naval College. It's really lovely isn't it? :)
I find that flag quite moving. I'm not surprised! It's quite something isn't it? I wonder how much it will sell for? When they sold the Spartiate Trafalgar ensign, the estimated value was £10 - 15,000 but it went for £384,000 *faints*
Oh, these ships pictures are really good! I like also the silhouette portraits. Would be great to compare them to the real persons. Pellew had a fine eye, I think.
The Pellew family actually produced a few moderately successful artists including Norman Pellew and John C Pellew, also wrote many books on painting and art.
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I believe info about Decatur is in error. I think his brother was killed in 1804, against the Barbary Pirates. Stephen later commanded USS United States (sister ship of Constitution) against HMS Macedonian in 1812, and at the end of the war surrendered USS President (third of the original 44 gun "super frigates" to British Forces. He also led the American squadron against the Barbary Pirates in 1815, and in a way set up things for Lord Exmouth's bombardment of Algiers.
Regarding USS Philadelphia... William Bainbridge was captain when it ran aground and was captured. Decatur commanded Intrepid which boarded, recaptured, and burnt the frigate to prevent it's use by the Barbary Pirates.
Dave
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That's interesting, the text above is paraphrased from the auction catalogue and you're right, they've got it wrong! The catalogue seems to have conflated Stephen with his brother James, who was killed in 1804 commanding the attack craft of the Tripoli squadron.
This is actually the second error I've come across in the catalogue, there's a mistake in the entry about Pownoll Fleetwood Pellew too. He's described as "the third son of Pownoll Bastard, the 2nd Viscount of Exmouth", which is correct, and "the nephew of Admiral Sir Edward Pellew", which most certainly isn't!
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I find that flag quite moving.
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Very true, as far as I'm aware producing sketch books like this was a compulsory part of cadet training at the Portsmouth Naval College. It's really lovely isn't it? :)
I find that flag quite moving.
I'm not surprised! It's quite something isn't it? I wonder how much it will sell for? When they sold the Spartiate Trafalgar ensign, the estimated value was £10 - 15,000 but it went for £384,000 *faints*
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Dave
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