Derek George Montague Gardner, (British, 1914-2007)
The 14 gun brig HMS Speedy
The 14 gun brig HMS Speedy
signed 'Derek G.M/Gardner' (lower left)
watercolour
25.2 x 37.2cm (9 15/16 x 14 5/8in).
A note affixed to the reverse of the frame provides some additional information about HMS Speedy:
'Under the command of that dashing and extraordinary character, Captain Lord Cochrane, the Speedy made a great name for herself off the Mediterranean coast of Spain by her persistent and daring harrying of the Spanish coasting trade during the war which followed the French Revolution. Her guns were only 4 pounders and yet she achieved a victory over a vastly superior antagonist in an action which is amongst the most famous in our Navy's history. This was on 6th May 1801 when the little Speedy's Captain led his 54 men to capture a Spanish 32 gun xebec, with a crew of no less than 319.
Lord Cochrane stood over six feet and his cabin in the Speedy was so small that when he shared in the morning he had the skylight lifted right off so he could stand upright and prop his mirror up on the deck outside. But small as she was the Speedy made a name for herself which has come down are the years as one of the most heroic even borne by small ships.'
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The 14 gun brig HMS Speedy
The 14 gun brig HMS Speedy
signed 'Derek G.M/Gardner' (lower left)
watercolour
25.2 x 37.2cm (9 15/16 x 14 5/8in).
A note affixed to the reverse of the frame provides some additional information about HMS Speedy:
'Under the command of that dashing and extraordinary character, Captain Lord Cochrane, the Speedy made a great name for herself off the Mediterranean coast of Spain by her persistent and daring harrying of the Spanish coasting trade during the war which followed the French Revolution. Her guns were only 4 pounders and yet she achieved a victory over a vastly superior antagonist in an action which is amongst the most famous in our Navy's history. This was on 6th May 1801 when the little Speedy's Captain led his 54 men to capture a Spanish 32 gun xebec, with a crew of no less than 319.
Lord Cochrane stood over six feet and his cabin in the Speedy was so small that when he shared in the morning he had the skylight lifted right off so he could stand upright and prop his mirror up on the deck outside. But small as she was the Speedy made a name for herself which has come down are the years as one of the most heroic even borne by small ships.'
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