Samuel Seymour
Capture of H.B.M. Sloop of War FROLIC 22 Guns Capt. Whinyates By the U.S. Sloop of War WASP 18 Guns. Capt. Jones

Capture of H.B.M. Sloop of War FROLIC 22 Guns Capt. Whinyates By the U.S. Sloop of War WASP 18 Guns. Capt. Jones

Public Domain

Capture of H.B.M. Sloop of War FROLIC 22 Guns Capt. Whinyates By the U.S. Sloop of War WASP 18 Guns. Capt. Jones
EngraverAmerican, born England, active 1777–1823
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Capture of H.B.M. Sloop of War FROLIC 22 Guns Capt. Whinyates By the U.S. Sloop of War WASP 18 Guns. Capt. Jones
Date1817
Printed inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
MediumEngraving and watercolor on wove paper
DimensionsPlate: 13 5/8 × 17 1/8 in. (34.6 × 43.5 cm)
Sheet (irregular): 17 1/2 × 22 1/8 in. (44.5 × 56.2 cm)
Frame: 20 1/2 × 25 1/8 in. (52.1 × 63.8 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Jerry E. Finger and Jonathan S. Finger at "One Great Night in November, 1997"
Object numberB.97.20
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionThis rare print is a dramatic depiction of one of the War of 1812's earliest naval engagements. On October 18, 1812, the American ship Wasp encountered and challenged the British Frolic as it was escorting a convoy of merchant vessels. From the very start it appeared as though the English would be the victors until the Frolic hooked her bowsprit into the rigging of the Wasp, the very moment that Barralet depicts. This enabled the Americans to fire broadside into the Frolic, which was unable to return any substantial fire. An American boarding party faced minimal opposition in taking the vessel and, as they were about to pilot her to Boston, the British seventy-four gun warship H.M.S. Poictiers arrived on the scene. The Americans, in no condition to fight, were taken without opposition.
Provenance[The Philadelphia Print Shop, Philadelphia]; purchased by MFAH, 1997.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Marked on lower left below image: J.J. Barralett. del
Marked on lower right below image: S. Seymour sculp.
Marked on center below image: Philad. Publish'd by W.H. Morgan 114 Chestnut Street.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

U.S. Frigate Constitution, of 44 Guns
Abel Bowen
c. 1812
Engraving and aquatint with etching and watercolor on wove paper
B.2010.19
The United States Sloop of War Wasp Sinking H.M.S. Reindeer and Putting Part of Her Crew on Board a Portugeuse Bay
John Christian Schetky
after 1812
Ink and gouache over graphite on paper
B.62.1.4
The City of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania, North America
Samuel Seymour
1801
Etching and engraving with watercolor and gouache on wove paper, state II
B.63.157
View of the City of New York in the State of New York, North America
Samuel Seymour
1803
Etching and engraving on wove paper, state II/III
B.2015.2
Guns and People with Guns
1880–1970
Various photographic objects
2020.137.12.1-.41
The Brilliant Charge of Capt. May
Nathaniel Currier
1846
Hand-colored lithograph on wove paper
B.69.265
Thomas Nast
1872
Wood engraving on newsprint
89.569.1
[Four Boys with Guns]
Osborne Marley
early 20th century
Gelatin silver print
2021.691