Richard Ball Spencer (British, 1812-1897) The Battle of Cape St. Vincent

Richard Ball Spencer (British, 1812-1897) The Battle of Cape St. Vincent signed 'R.B.SPENCER' (lower left) oil on canvas 59.7 x 90.8cm (23 1/2 x 35 3/4in). Footnotes: The present lot depicts the most memorable time of the action when the then Commodore Sir Horatio Nelson in HMS Captain (74) engaged the Spanish 1st Rate San Nicolas (80) and carried her by boarding. Meanwhile, San Josef , which had already been badly damaged, became entangled with the San Nicolas and Nelson found himself being fired on from the deck of the enemy ship. It was a case of carrying on or retiring, so he carried on and took San Nicolas as well. This gave rise to the expression 'Nelson's patent bridge for taking First Rates'. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com