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

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Engraver Samuel SeymourAmerican, born England, active 1777–1823

Artistafter John James BarraletBritish, 1747–1815

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

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

PRINTS

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.

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