
Leo Webster
Senior Specialist
Sold for £2,750 inc. premium
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Head of Sale
Specialist Consultant Collectors, Science & Marine
Two British frigates, the Flora, 38-guns, and the Crescent, 28, having been forced to run into Gibraltar to escape a hostile Spanish squadron on 29th May 1781, put to sea again the following morning to look for two large vessels which had been seen at first light. Making for Ceuta, on the opposite north African shore, the two strangers were soon sighted and identified as the Dutch frigates Castor and Briel. The Flora immediately engaged the Castor which, despite her only slightly inferior fire-power, fought tenaciously for over two hours before striking her colours. Crescent fared less well as her opponent, the Briel, was more heavily armed and after a furious engagement which left the Crescent completely dismasted and without a single gun still firing, Captain Pakenham had no choice but to surrender. Before Briel could take possession of her prize however, the Flora came to Crescent's rescue and forced Briel to flee the scene and head for Cadiz.
We are grateful to Michael Naxton for his assistance with cataloguing this lot.