Sea History 059 - Autumn 1991

Page 22

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A rainsquall clears away to leeward and the Black Rocks , a chain of murderous reefs six miles off the Breton coast, appear out of the murk. Just in time, the 36-gunfrigate Jason wears short round andfires a warning gun. Such were the everyday risks for those engaged in the blockade of Brest during the Napoleonic Wars. Th e navy kept station through fair weather and f oul, and through an awesome display of seamanship, nerve and sheer endurance, the blockade was maintained f or the quarter century of the Napoleonic Wars. "The Black Rocks," watercolor, 22 x 30 inches.

The slate carrier Dinorwic steams up the estuary, a study in grey against the light. She was a humble ship,yetf ull of character and she led a long and useful life. B uiltfor the Port Dinorwic Quarry fleet in 1892, she passed into the general coasting trade as time went on. Then in January 1934 , she broke her moorings at Bideford, stranded on a mud bank, rolled over and sank. "DinorwicBoundln ," water-color, J J x 15 inches.

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SEA HISTORY 59, AUTUMN l99 l


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