Capt. Edw.d Riou.
From the Miniature by Shelley. Engraved by Ja.s Heath A.R.A.
[n.d., c.1800.]
Stipple, open letter proof. Sheet: 190 x 150mm (7½ x 6''). Trimmed. Crease in bottom left border.
A portrait of naval officer Edward Riou (1762-1801) who served as midshipman of Capt. James Cook's Third Voyage to Australia and received his command of the former frigate HMS Guardian transporting convicts to Australia. Attempting to replenish their fresh water supplies the ship Riou ordered the Guardian be sailed close to an iceberg, boats were sent out to gather the ice but when all had returned a fog descended hiding the iceberg from view. After careful sailing, using lookouts it seemed the ship had managed to avoid hitting the iceberg, however the ship was caught in a gust of wind and was driven into the wall of ice nearly sinking outright. After several attempts to stop the flooding into the damaged hull, most of the crew abandoned ship. Despite fully anticipating his death, Riou refused to leave his ship, and he and a few others were left to attempt the nearly impossible task of navigating the sinking ship several hundred leagues towards the Cape of Good Hope. After nine weeks at sea, and with continued labour and endurance, Riou successfully navigated his half-sunk ship back to port, saving the lives of those who had elected to remain with him. Riou negotiated the pardon of the few remaining convicts left on board.
[Ref: 48730] £280.00
[n.d., c.1800.]
Stipple, open letter proof. Sheet: 190 x 150mm (7½ x 6''). Trimmed. Crease in bottom left border.
A portrait of naval officer Edward Riou (1762-1801) who served as midshipman of Capt. James Cook's Third Voyage to Australia and received his command of the former frigate HMS Guardian transporting convicts to Australia. Attempting to replenish their fresh water supplies the ship Riou ordered the Guardian be sailed close to an iceberg, boats were sent out to gather the ice but when all had returned a fog descended hiding the iceberg from view. After careful sailing, using lookouts it seemed the ship had managed to avoid hitting the iceberg, however the ship was caught in a gust of wind and was driven into the wall of ice nearly sinking outright. After several attempts to stop the flooding into the damaged hull, most of the crew abandoned ship. Despite fully anticipating his death, Riou refused to leave his ship, and he and a few others were left to attempt the nearly impossible task of navigating the sinking ship several hundred leagues towards the Cape of Good Hope. After nine weeks at sea, and with continued labour and endurance, Riou successfully navigated his half-sunk ship back to port, saving the lives of those who had elected to remain with him. Riou negotiated the pardon of the few remaining convicts left on board.
[Ref: 48730] £280.00