[ANONYMOUS].
By Authority from the Originals on Seven Imperial Sheets, presented by Vice Admiral Lestock, to the Hon: House of Commons; the Situations, Views & Positions, in the Late Engagement &c. near Toulon Between His Majesty's Fleet and the Combin'd Fleets Of Fra
[ANONYMOUS].
By Authority from the Originals on Seven Imperial Sheets, presented by Vice Admiral Lestock, to the Hon: House of Commons; the Situations, Views & Positions, in the Late Engagement &c. near Toulon Between His Majesty's Fleet and the Combin'd Fleets Of Fra
This set forms a highly detailed study of the naval battle at Toulon between the British and a Franco-Hispanic fleet on 11th February 1744, during the War of the Austrian Succession. The action represented a significant lost opportunity for the British to gain a signal victory over their enemies.
Vice Admiral Richard Lestock was in command of the rear division of the British fleet and lagged far behind the main van. When battle was joined Lestock was still far away, and ignored orders to give battle, giving the Franco-Hispanic fleet the opportunity to escape. Lestock was called to the House of Commons to explain his inaction, for which these charts were published.
The following year both Lestock and the fleet commander Vice-Admiral Thomas Matthews were court-martialled. A rigged board ensured that Lestock was acquitted and Matthews cashiered the service, a curious verdict as Lestock’s defence was highly dubious, with a later historian commenting that “the nation could not be persuaded that the vice-admiral ought to be exculpated for not fighting” while the admiral cashiered for fighting.
John Millan, the publisher, seems to have been the semi-official publisher to the army and navy, from his shop in Whitehall, notably printing annual lists of the army and navy.
No example of the work is recorded on COPAC, while there appears to be an unbound set in the National Maritime Museum
Rare.
