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Sunday 30 January 2011

Came in his Majesty's ship Minotaur, of 74 guns, Captain Mansfield, from a cruise, for the purpose of collecting her officers and men, sent in her prizes; she might have taken a great many more, but had no hands to board them.

Capture of the French frigate la Franchise (called la Francaise by Mansfield)

Copy of a Letter from Captain Mansfield, of his Majesty's ship Minotaur, to Sir E. Nepean, Bart. dated at sea, 30th May 1803.

SIR,


I beg leave to acquaint you, for their Lordships' information, that I this evening saw the French republican frigate la Francaise safe off the Dodman, agreeably to signal made by the Hon. Admiral Cornwallis. She was captured by his Majesty's ship in my command, on the 28th May, in company with his Majesty's ship Thunderer, having chased from the fleet, and during the chase was joined by the Albion, which ship had parted from the fleet some days before in thick weather. The Prize proves to be the Republican French frigate la Francaise, from Port-au-Prince thirty-five days, Captain Jurien. She is pierced for twenty-eight twelve-pounders on her main-deck, and sixteen nine-pounders on the quarter-deck and forecastle, ten of which were in her hold, and had on board one hundred and eighty seven men.

So finally finished my Dad's birthday present - bit of a sprint to the finish to get it done and presented to him yesterday! Unfortunately I didn't get time to put any colours and ensigns on so that will be a little job to do next time we're over. You may (or may not!) notice I have also greatly simplified the rigging - time, skill and failing eyesight were factors in that decision!

Anyway it was certainly well received, which was a relief - only thing is I now have to find a way of topping it next year for his sixtieth! Looks like it might well be the battle line for Trafalgar after all...!!!



Things don't look good for La Franchise (far left), as Minotaur (bottom centre) pulls alongside, supported by Thunderer (top centre) and Albion (far right).







Much as I have enjoyed researching and painting something different to the usual fantasy stuff I am now looking forward to selfishly getting on with some Orc's Drift stuff just for me!

Nice big, chunky, non fiddly citadel goodness ahoy!

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