J.C. Schetky

The Capture of USS Chesapeake
J.C. Schetky, 1830
SCHETKY, John Christian (1778-1874). A Series of Four Views, to illustrate the Naval Action fought on the first day of June, 1813, between the English Frigate Shannon, and the American Frigate Chesapeake. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1830. (Wrapper title.)
Rare complete copy of the views depicting probably the most famous frigate action in history. During the Anglo-American War of 1812 (to 1814), the event which captured the public's imagination more than any other was the celebrated duel between H.M.S. Shannon and the republic's frigate Chesapeake. Cruising off the eastern seaboard, Captain Philip Broke of the Shannon spotted the American frigates Chesapeake and Constitution refitting in Boston Harbor. Broke challenged Captain Lawrence of the Chesapeake to come out and fight and, at about noon on 1 June 1813, the latter weighed anchor and stood out of Boston Roads accompanied by several pleasure craft. A furious action followed lasting a mere fifteen minutes; Captain Broke was mortally wounded leading the boarding party and casualties on both vessels were very high. Chesapeake surrendered to her captors and the two frigates then made for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they arrived on 6 June. Not in the standard bibliographies. Only two copies are recorded in the auction records of RBH for the past 100 years.
Oblong broadsheet folio (486 x 583mm). Letterpress leaf with description of plates. Four hand-colored lithographed plates by Haghe after Schetky and supervised by Captain R.H. King (neatly lined, corners rounded). Original lithographed wrappers (several repaired tears, edges reinforced) bound into modern full morocco richly gilt to style (plates and wrappers re-hinged).