Lot 138: Henry A. Hawkins (British, born circa 1800-1881) Boats from HMS Hastings and Edinburgh storming the castle of Beirut, Lebanon unframed

Boats from HMS Hastings and Edinburgh storming the castle of Beirut, Lebanon
signed 'Henry Hawkin' (lower right of mount)
pen and ink and watercolour over pencil heightened with bodycolour and scratching out
24.2 x 41cm (9 1/2 x 16 1/8in).
unframed

Inscribed on the mount as follows:
‘CASTLE of BEYROUT/ (Syria)’ and ‘Destroying an ignited train leading over the bridge to the Powders Magazine, under cover of the boats of H. M. Ships Edinburgh and Hastings/1840’

From October 2-5, gunpowder was removed from Beirut by parties from both ships, and on October 10, 1840 the city fell to the Royal Navy.