268 268.
A LARGE, FINELY-CARVED AND DETAILED EARLY 19TH-CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR WOODEN SHIP MODEL OF THE HEROIC FRENCH VETERAN OF TRAFALGAR L’INTRÉPIDE
the planked and pinned hull with ebony main and secondary wales, three decks of retractable brass guns operated via stern cords, brass anchors with wooden stocks, finely-carved ivory warrior-form figurehead, stern and quarter galleries, planked decks with details including capstan, stove pipe, water casks, two large brass ship’s bells flanking the well deck, ship’s boat fitted with cross boards, thwarts and oars, gratings, companionways, helm, front of poop carved with swags of arms, deck lights, chicken coops, stern boats in davits, Jacob’s ladder, brass guns in carriages, bound masts with yards, stun’s’l booms, standing and running rigging and other details, mounted in a wooden cradle stand (later, cleaning, restoration to rigging). Overall measurements -- 29 x 36in. (74 x 91.5cm.)
A ‘Bold’ Class 74-gun frigate launched as Intrépido in Ferrol, Spain in 1799, she was given to France in 1800 which adapted the name. She took part in Villeneuve’s West Indies expedition in May/June 1805, and fought at Calder’s Action on her return that July. However her most glorious (and final) action was at Trafalgar. Captained by the bluff-but-experienced Louis Infernet (who had assumed command in August), she formed part of Vice Admiral Dumanoir’s van squadron. Attempting to relieve the pressure on Villeneuve’s centre, L’Intrépide was the only one of ten ships that sailed straight for the mêlée and, during two hours of intense fighting, engaged seven or eight British ships, on one occasion coming under fire from four or five simultaneously. Incredibly Infernet came through unscathed, however 242 of his 745 crew were casualties, and ultimately dismasted with her rudder shot away and wheel smashed they were “obliged to yield” as Infernet put it. During the severe storms that followed the action it proved impossible to preserve all the prizes and L’Intrépide was burnt on Collingwood’s orders. Six months later Infernet returned to France as part of a prisoner exchange and was awarded the Grande Croix Légion d’Honneur by Napoleon and is one of the few French naval officers to have his name carved in the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. As one of the most illustrious French vessels at Trafalgar, it is not surprising that the prisoner who made this model felt secure enough to name it, as Lt. Senhouse of the Conqueror commented afterwards, she put up one of the most gallant defences I have ever witnessed and would have been a viable commercial prospect in an age when heroic gallantry counted for as much, if not more, than the cause in which it was deployed.
£28000-35000 additional images online at
www.charlesmillerltd.com 87
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