G.D. Esposito, Maltese School, 19th Century"H.M.S. Hibernia,...

Hammer

€3,000

G.D. Esposito, Maltese School, 19th Century"H.M.S. Hibernia," O.O.C., depicting a ship of the line docked in Valletta Harbour, Malta, surrounded by rowing boats, approx. 57cms x 89cms (22 1/2" x 35") signed and dated "G.D. Esposito 1893" lower right, with inscribed gilt mount, oak frame." (1)úHMS Hibernia was a 110-gun first rate ship of the line, launched in 1804 - the only ship of her draught - and sold for breaking up in 1902. In 1807-08 she led the British escort that carried the Portuguese royal family and court to Brazil just days before the French attacked Lisbon. From 1816 to 1855 she was the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet; thereafter she was the flagship of the Royal Navy's base at Malta. Beresford served briefly on her as a midshipman in 1863 while awaiting passage home; when serving on her, he set off in a duck-punt and took part in the rescue of a grounded Turkish liner (such, at least, is the story he told in his memoirs).