Please note that images or descriptions below might contain spoilers, as in paintings that represent events in the novels or pictures from the film.
On 29 July 1778, a French fleet under Admiral Comte d’Estaing arrived in Narragansett Bay as allies of the Americans in their war for independence. While preparing to attack British-occupied Newport, French warships moved to intercept four Royal Navy frigates operating in the bay. On 5 August, the British commanders burned and sunk all four ships, including the 28-gun Cerberus and 32-gun Orpheus, to avoid capture.
Text and images courtesy of the Naval War College Museum unless otherwise noted.
12 Photos
All the limited edition prints of the O’Brian book covers, signed by Geoff Hunt RSMA, can be viewed at http://www.artmarine.co.uk