Nelson Boarding a Captured Ship, 20 November 1777

Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

An incident during the American Revolutionary War, 1775–1783. In 1777 Captain William Locker sailed to the West Indies station in the frigate 'Lowestoffe', 32 guns, with the young Horatio Nelson as his second lieutenant. They arrived at Port Royal, Jamaica, in July with a convoy of 18 sail of merchantmen. When the 'Lowestoffe' captured an American merchant ship or privateer on 20 November, a rough sea made the first lieutenant reluctant to try to board it and take formal possession. However Nelson volunteered for the task and succeeded in boarding the prize despite the heavy sea. The painting denotes the moment that Nelson leaves the 'Lowestoffe' for the ship's boat that will take him to the captured privateer. He is shown on the verge of the momentous departure, poised with one leg already firmly in the boat. In an exaggeratedly theatrical gesture, he bids farewell to Captain Locker and the other officers standing in the ship. Other figures crowd the deck in anticipation of the daring feat, their arms outstretched to hold the ropes and help steady the boat. The artist has accentuated the strong swell, bottom left, where the waves come up over the side of the boat. This has emphasised the effect by enclosing the action and by pitching the ship and the boat at the same angle in the heavy sea, with the sailors on the boat using the oars to fend off and prevent their gunwale being stove in against the frigate's side. The heavy sea demonstrates the tension and physical enterprise involves, and anticipates the potential danger ahead. Westall has conveyed the staged effect by employing a dramatic language of gesture and expression.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

Nelson Boarding a Captured Ship, 20 November 1777

Date

1806

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 86.3 x W 71.1 cm

Accession number

BHC0421

Acquisition method

National Maritime Museum (Greenwich Hospital Collection)

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

National Maritime Museum

Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue