December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
UNKNOWN AMERICAN ARTIST. "Captain David Porter, U.S. Navy, c. 1813." Watercolor on ivory, 2 3/8 x 1 13/16 in. oval (view), within gilded mat inside hinged, pressboard case covered with red morocco leather. Porter (1780–1843) served in the United States Navy from 1798-1826, starting as a midshipman in the Quasi-War and ending as commodore of the West Indies Squadron. He is most famous for his War of 1812 service as captain of the US frigate Essex, in which he hoisted a white banner proclaiming "Free trade and sailors' rights" flying from the foretopgallant mast. Captain Porter achieved fame by capturing the first British warship of the conflict, HMS Alert on 13 AUG 1812. In February 1813 he sailed Essex around Cape Horn and cruised the Pacific, waging war on British commerce, notably British whalers. Over the next year, Porter would capture 12 whaleships and 360 prisoners. The Admiralty dispatched a squadron of warships to track him down and on 28 MAR 1814, Porter was forced to surrender after being disabled in a running fight against HM Frigate Phoebe and HM Sloop Cherub. CONDITION: the miniature with good color, but a slight amount of direct inside the glass; a slight crack on back of case and scattered rubbing and edge wear, the hinge with loose play.