Lot 67: Peter Monamy (British, 1681-1749)

The destruction of the 'Royal James' during the Battle of Solebay, 28th. May 1672
signed 'P. Monamy' (lower centre)
oil on canvas
89 x 117.7 cm.(35 x 46 3/8in. )

Three successive decades in the mid-seventeenth century saw England at war with the United Provinces of the Netherlands, with England emerging from the first conflict in the 1650s as the undoubted victor. The Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-67) was less satisfactory and culminated in the infamous Dutch attack on Chatham and the Medway (June 1667) which ended hostilities prematurely with the humiliating loss of many of England's greatest ships.

The action fought in Southwold Bay on the Suffolk coast, more usually known as Solebay, was the opening sea battle of the Third Dutch War (1672-74). By 1670, existing Anglo-Dutch rivalry had been further exacerbated by Charles II's intrigues with Louis XIV and it came as no surprise to either side when War was declared early in 1672. A combined Anglo-French fleet under the overall command of James, Duke of York, the King's brother, was assembled to move against the Dutch but first put into Southwold Bay to revictual. Admiral de Ruyter, already at sea and awaiting his opportunity to take the offensive, came upon the allied ships on 28th May and, with the wind in his favour, attacked them as they lay at anchor in the bay. The action began at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and, caught by surprise, the allied fleet went into battle in some disarray. De Ruyter soon neutralised the inexperienced French squadron and then concentrated upon the English centre and rear divisions, under the Duke of York and the Earl of Sandwich respectively, using his fireships with great success. The action, which continued until dusk, was so fierce that the Duke of York was forced to shift his flag three times and only the gathering darkness prevented a complete débâcle.

The worst moment of the day however, came when Lord Sandwich's flagship, the 100-gun "Royal James", succumbed to the third Dutch fireship sent to destroy her. Two had already been fended off successfully but the third caught the flagship amidships, whilst she was preoccupied engaging the "Olifant", grappled her and set her alight before counter-measures could be taken. In a very short time "Royal James" was ablaze and, when he realised she could not be saved, Sandwich took refuge in a longboat which soon became so overcrowded that it capsized and everyone in it was drowned.

Monamy also painted another view of this incident which depicts the gutted hull of "Royal James" on the point of sinking and which is held in the National Collection at Greenwich (see Concise Catalogue of Oil Paintings in the National Maritime Museum, 1988, p.271, BHC 0301b).

Lot Notice:
Please note that the signature has been strengthened.