Lot 84

Thomas Whitcombe
(British, 1760-1824)
H.M.S. 'Pique', 40 guns, Captain C.H.B. Ross capturing the Spanish Brig 'Orquijo', 18 guns, 8th. February 1805 30.5 x 43.2cm. (12 x 17in.)

Marine Pictures

27 February 2007, 14:00 GMT

London, New Bond Street

Sold for £4,560 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Marine Pictures & Works of Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Thomas Whitcombe (British, 1760-1824)

H.M.S. 'Pique', 40 guns, Captain C.H.B. Ross capturing the Spanish Brig 'Orquijo', 18 guns, 8th. February 1805
signed 'T.Whitcombe' (lower left)
oil on canvas
30.5 x 43.2cm. (12 x 17in.)

Footnotes

During the first few years of the nineteenth century, the frigate H.M.S. ‘Pique’, under the command of Captain Charles Ross, was stationed in the West Indies and kept fully occupied by a great deal of enemy activity, both French and Spanish. In between taking a French armed cutter in March 1804 and the spirited capture of the French brig-sloop ‘Phaeton’ on 26th March 1806, she also sighted, chased, engaged and took the Spanish brig ‘Orquijo’ off Havana on 8th February 1805. The ‘Orquijo’, 384 tons and mounting 16 guns, proved a handy little craft and was absorbed into the Royal Navy under her original [Spanish] name and put into service immediately. Her usefulness proved short-lived however when, on 7th November [1805], whilst cruising off Jamaica in company with H.M.S. ‘Penguin’, she was hit by a sudden squall which sank her almost immediately with significant loss of life, including her commanding officer Lieutenant John Balderston.

H.M.S. ‘Pique’, 36-guns, was built and launched as the French frigate ‘Pallas’ which was captured by a British squadron off the coast of France on 6th February 1800. Assimilated into the Royal Navy and renamed ‘Pique’, she rendered valuable service throughout the Napoleonic Wars and was finally scrapped in 1819.

Vice-Admiral Charles Bayntun Hodgson Ross, C.B., joined the Royal Navy in 1788 and was made Lieutenant in 1796. After an active and successful career, including distinguished service during the Anglo-American War of 1812-14, he received his final promotion to Vice-Admiral in 1848 and died the following year. His exploits in ‘Pique’ (December 1803 – August 1807) were particularly colourful and, during that period, he captured numerous prizes, four of which were added to the Royal Navy.

Additional information

This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Marine Pictures & Works of Art