"HMS Augusta: Philadelphia 1777"

Artist-Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Print on Paper

Edition of 700, including 75 Remarques

Image size: 15 1/2 x 18 inches (39.5 x 46 cm)

Paper size: 21 x 23 inches (53 x 58.5 cm)

In October 1777 the Royal Navy tried to force its way up the Delaware River to make contact with the British army, then occupying Philadelphia. Although they faced strong defences in the form of underwater obstacles, shore forts and a purpose-built gunboat flotilla, it was misfortune that doomed the 64-gun Augusta which ran aground off Fort Mifflin and then caught fire.

During the morning Augusta and Merlin, also aground, came under heavy attack both from the shore batteries and Commodore Hazlewood's galleys and guardboats. Despite frantic efforts to save her, the fire gained hold on Augusta. Her crew abandoned ship and were rescued by ships including the 44-gun Roebuck, seen at the left, which herself was badly damaged. At noon Augusta's magazine exploded, destroying the ship and making her the largest British warship lost in action in the whole Revolutionary War.

Though the Royal Navy eventually reached Philadelphia, the protracted river fighting had so delayed British operations that the campaign of 1777 ground to a halt for the winter. Before the end of this winter the French were to enter the war, a fatal blow to British hopes of success.