HMS 'Leander' (1813) at sea

This oil portrait is thought to depict the 50-gun Royal Navy frigate ‘Leander’ (1813). The ship is beating in a stiff wind with all her principal sails filled, her ensign flying straight out and her decks lined with figures on the lee side. A small sailing vessel passes astern. In the background there is a rocky and mountainous coastline, and on the left of the picture a fortification with a flag flying. This may represent the coast of North America, since the ‘Leander’ was on the North American Station around 1812-1815. She was involved in several notable actions during the Napoleonic Wars and took part in the Bombardment of Algiers (1816). The painting is signed, lower left.