"Fireships on the Hudson River. Night attack on HM ships Phoenix and Rose, August 1776"

Artist-Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Print on Paper

Edition of 700, including 75 Remarques

Image size: 14 1/2 x 20 inches (37 x 51 cm)

Paper size: 19 3/4 x 24 inches (50 x 61 cm)

On July 12, 1776 the British sent a small squadron of warships into the Hudson River to attack the flanks of General Washington's forces. The squadron consisted of the Phoenix, 44-gun, Rose, 20-gun, the schooner Tryal, and two small tenders, the Charlotte and the Shuldham. Their orders were to operate as far up the river as Peekskill. They found themselves in an uneasy situation, with Washington's army in unknown force on both shores. After a month of inconclusive skirmishes, the ships were anchored off "Colonel Phillip's Farm" on the night of 16th August. Just before midnight two vessels were sighted nearby, closing in. Their crews were seen setting fires and abandoning ship - the American rebels were using fireships. While the British were still hurrying to cut their cables the first fireship hit the Charlotte and both vessels burned out. The second fireship narrowly missed the Rose but crashed into the bow of the flagship Phoenix. It took twenty desperate minutes for the Phoenix's crew to fend off the blazing hulk but their situation had become extremely dangerous. The squadron retreated downriver next day, taking some damage while passing the American batteries, and anchored off Staten Island - where they joined Vice-Admiral Lord Howe, recently arrived with the main fleet and army.