The Nymphe and the Cleopatra

[anteros_lmc]

Stupidly busy here this week :} However I picked up this little book when I nipped out for lunch yesterday. I confess I bought it purely for the cover and the engraving of the Nymphe engaging the Cleopatra below. Oddly the text makes no mention of either Pellew or the engagement! The book, published in 1943, is only 50 pages long though and covers the history of the British Navy from 1588 - 1918, so it's a little scant on detail! Indeed the author's note at the beginning says that it is "a brief swift survey of a vast subject." He's not wrong there! Still, for £2 I can hardly complain :}


The ferocious action between the Nymphe and the Cleopatra on the 18th June 1793 is renowned for being the first naval engagement of the French Revolutionary Wars. Pellew received a knighthood for the victory and famously sent a large portion of his prize money to the widow of the deceased French Captain Jean Mullon, in recognition of his bravery.

Comments

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Nod pointed out that it looks like the seamen on the quarterdeck of the Nymphe are still firing, which would be terribly ungallant considering the Cleopatra has already struck! I though they were just cheering bu on closer examination I think she may be right. I can't imagine Neddy allowing that kind of behaviour!

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

Neddy would not indeed! he boarded when she struck and was beside the captain when he died. And the artist has got a littel carried away - but it is a lovely picture all the same.

Ned had Captain Mullon buried with full military honours in St Thomas Portsmouth, - what is now Portsmouth Cathedral -where the death register endearingly states after entering the details in the usual way :

Jean: A Frenchman

I think of him every time I go past there.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Jean: A Frenchman
Awww, that's so touching. I knew Mullon was buried in Portsmouth but I didn't know that.