The Glorious First of June

The First of June always reminds me of the battle which took place on this day in 1794.

It was one of the exceptionally rare battles in history in which both sides succeeded in the object for which they fought. The objective of the French fleet was to get a grain convoy through to France, which they succeeded in doing, the objective of the Royal Navy was to inflict serious damage on the French fleet, which they also succeeded in doing.

The battle become known in Britain as the "Glorious First of June" and inspired generations of marine illustrators. Here are three depictions of the event, painted respectively by Derek Gardner, Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg, and John Bentham-Dinsdale.























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