Lot 182: Admiral Sir Edward Augustus Inglefield (British, 1820-1894)

The Battle of La Vuelta de Obligado, 20th November 1845
signed 'Inglefield RN'
watercolour
55.8 x 94.2 cm. (22 x 37 in.)

Following the end of Spanish colonial rule in South America the newly independant states were engaged in frequent boundary disputes. One of these involved Argentina and Uruguay in 1845 and was only resolved by the intervention of the British and French.

Six British and five French vessels sailed up the Panama River to relieve Montevideo which was under siege by Uruguayan rebels. Commanded by Capt. Charles Hotham the force anchored two miles below Obligado on 18th November 1845.

Hotham found the river was blocked by twenty-four chained hulks, supported by shore artillery and on the morning of 20th November he attacked. The barrier was eventually breached though losses on both sides were heavy.

Edward Augustus Inglefield served as Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. 'Comus' at Obligado and was appointed acting Commander on 18th November 1845, two days before the battle. He then had an illustrious naval career and was promoted to Admiral in 1879.

The present view was also published in lithograph by Inglefield on return to London.