Today
by reading a reference to the old USS Constitution sometimes called “Old Ironsides” I am reminded of HMS Victory, a ‘first rate ship of the line of battle’.
After Trafalgar HMS Victory had 600 cannon balls removed from her hull all of which had failed to penetrate and not a single man on the lower gun deck had been killed.
This painting shows the first hole which appeared in the fore topsail of HMS Victory.
Upon seeing this the Combined Fleet knew they had the range, a general fire then commenced.
This painting
was inspired by my distinguished colleague and friend, the Keeper and Curator of HMS Victory, author of 17 naval books, Mr. Peter Goodwin when he first discovered the Trafalgar Fore topsail.
From our excited discussions this painting evolved.
Meanwhile my fabulous page “Nelson, Trafalgar, Paintings“, a series of paintings about the period of Nelson’s lifetime, has been revised and updated, visit, enjoy, many are available as affordable fine art prints. https://www.frickers.co.uk/…/the-trafalgar-collection/ 
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