{"product_id":"22709","title":"\"A Victim of the Sea Wolf: Lord Cochrane's Speedy brings a prize into Port Mahon\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOil on Linen Canvas\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e21 5\/8 x 29 1\/3 inches (55 x 74.5 cm)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned, lower right\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFramed in a hand-finished gilt frame with white gesso slip\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorld-wide exclusive - only available from Marine Artists\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommander Lord Cochrane took command of the 14-gun brig \u003ci\u003eSpeedy\u003c\/i\u003e in March 1800. Although he thought her “little more than a burlesque of a vessel of war”, Cochrane and \u003ci\u003eSpeedy\u003c\/i\u003e terrorised the French and Spanish in the western Mediterranean, taking over fifty prizes. Cochrane himself is supposed to have become known to the French as \u003ci\u003ele loup de mer \u003c\/i\u003e(the Sea Wolf) so great was the fear inspired by his reputation as a raider.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn Maarten Platje’s romantic and atmospheric painting we see \u003ci\u003eSpeedy\u003c\/i\u003e returning by moonlight from a cruising raid, bringing a prize back to \u003ci\u003eSpeedy\u003c\/i\u003e’s base at Port Mahon in Minorca.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis picture sums up the thrill, danger and excitement of operating a small, under-gunned ship in largely hostile seas against greatly superior opponents. Lit only by a bright, full moon and lamp light on deck, we see Cochrane and his crews slipping back to their home port, triumphant but always vigilant. Although a night scene, the impression is not of darkness and there is exceptional detail to be seen in the ships, cannon, rigging and figures.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCochrane and \u003ci\u003eSpeedy\u003c\/i\u003e are so famous for the extraordinary taking of the Spanish frigate \u003ci\u003eEl Gamo\u003c\/i\u003e, immortalised in fact and in Patrick O’Brian’s fiction, that it can be forgotten that \u003ci\u003eSpeedy\u003c\/i\u003e had a very dashing career before she was commanded by Cochrane. Captured by the French in 1794 and regained the following year, she saw frantic actions against superior odds under Commanders Downman and Brenton (later of HMS \u003ci\u003eSpartan\u003c\/i\u003e fame) before Cochrane took over. It could be said that the little ship brought the best out of dashing and resourceful commanders.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Sea Wolf himself lived a life at this time completely in keeping with his reputation. As well as taking so many prizes, Cochrane fought a duel in Malta in February 1801 with a French Royalist, who he wounded. May that year saw the incredible capture of \u003ci\u003eEl Gamo\u003c\/i\u003e. But in early July something occurred that is at odds with the Cochrane myth – \u003ci\u003eSpeedy\u003c\/i\u003e and Cochrane were overtaken by a strong French force under Admiral Linois and Cochrane struck his colours.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eExchanged shortly afterwards, Cochrane faced his second court-martial and was acquitted honourably for the loss of his ship. For the spirited British \u003ci\u003eSpeedy\u003c\/i\u003e, though, it was the end. Re-named \u003ci\u003eSaint Paul\u003c\/i\u003e in the French navy and then \u003ci\u003eSan Paolo\u003c\/i\u003e in the service of the Papal States, her days of dashing capture and victory were behind her.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarine Artists are exclusive agents in Great Britain for the exciting Dutch marine painter Maarten Platje. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTo buy the original painting or reserve it \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003econtact \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eCharles Mayes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ecm@marineartists.co.uk \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e+44(0)79 4179 8655\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe price includes professional shipping, delivery \u0026amp; insurance to any address world-wide\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA larger photograph \/ full description available on request\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVAT does not apply\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MAARTEN PLATJE (Dutch, Contemporary)","offers":[{"title":"Framed Oil Painting, including free delivery worldwide","offer_id":55616629408086,"sku":"AOMP68-22709","price":13750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1048\/3050\/1206\/files\/Platje_20-_20Victim_20Sea_20Wolf_20framed_20large_20stamped_20-_20JP_20-_20DSC_8135_e7a7eca3-c61c-471b-960e-6e1cc6505204.jpg?v=1791279936","url":"https:\/\/marineartists.co.uk\/products\/22709","provider":"Marine Artists","version":"1.0","type":"link"}