"'Nelson's Patent Bridge' at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 14th February 1797"

Oil on Linen Canvas

26 x 36 inches (66 x 91.5 cm)

Signed, lower right

Framed in a hand-finished gilt frame

Here Geoff Hunt has painted one of the pivotal points in Nelson's life. It is the moment that first brought the name of the young Commodore to the notice of the public and his superiors in the Navy and contributed to what became the Nelson legend. Nelson was knighted for this extraordinary action.

The action took place at The Battle of Cape St. Vincent on the 14th of February 1797. Nelson was in command of the 74-gun HMSCaptain. He tookCaptainout of the line, many believe defying orders, and enaged several enemy ships, including the giant 136-gunSantisima Trinidad. WithCaptainbadly damaged, Nelson engaged the 80-gun Spanish ship San Nicolás.

This ship's rigging became entangled with that of the enormous 112-gunSan Josefand Nelson boarded and captured firstSan Nicolásand thenSan Josef,having effectively usedSan Nicolásas a bridge to reachSan Josef; the action became immortalised as "Nelson's Patent Bridge for Boarding First Rates".In Geoff Hunt's wonderful painting we see the badly-damagedCaptain, on the left, closing withSan Nicoláswho in turn is already dangerously close to the hugeSan Josef. At the prow ofCaptaincan be seen a slight figure, waving a sword in his right hand as he prepares to board. This is Nelson himself, who left an account of boarding the first ship through her stern windows and shooting his way out to storm on and captureSan Josef. A few months later Nelson was to lose his right arm in the disastrous action at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The shell splashes in the foreground come from HMSPrince George, which was bombarding the Spanish ships untilCaptainhad to ask her to stop, and on the extreme left of the painting may be seen a glimpse of the great British flagship HMSVictory.

To buy the painting, or reserve it for 24 hours to obtain a shipping quote,contactCharles Mayescm@marineartists.co.uk +44(0)20 7352 7759

Full description on request. A larger photograph is available

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