Battle of Camperdown 11th October 1797 Admiral Duncan's attack on Dutch fleet. An engraved and hand-coloured map 19, A. K. Johnston, Atlas to Alison's History of Europe, 1850 art print poster canvas gift

Battle of Camperdown 11th October 1797; Admiral Duncan's attack on Dutch fleet - a historical hand-coloured illustration (map 19), engraved by A.K. Johnston for Atlas to Alison's History of Europe, published by W. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh & London, in 1850.

Alexander Keith Johnston (1804 - 1871) was a Scottish geographer and cartographer. His initial interest to geography was inspired by inaccuracy of maps Johnston used in his early years hiking in West Highlands. After graduating from University of Edinburgh he joined his brother in printing business "W. & A. K. Johnston" which used the clan motto "Ready Aye Ready" as their logo. The rest of Johnston's life was devoted to geography and map making. Among other works, Johnston created the first English language physical globe of the world, and an atlas of military geography to accompany Alison's History of Europe, first published in 1848. The company W & A K Johnston were appointed engravers to King William IV and Johnston was later elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Battle of Camperdown (11 October 1797) was a major naval engagement between The British North Sea Fleet under command of Admiral Adam Duncan and Dutch (Batavian) Navy under Vice-Admiral Jan de Winter, as a part of French Revolutionary Wars. At the time, Dutch Navy was ordered to join French fleet but was blockaded in Texel harbor by British North Sea Fleet. As the British were forced to abandon blockade in need of supplies, the Dutch sailed out to carry a raid in the North Sea. They were intercepted by Admiral Duncan on their return near the village of Camperduin. The forces were nearly equal with 16 ships of the line on each side, but the British prevailed in their skills having spent significantly longer at sea and able to fire 3 rounds a minute to the Dutch two. British attack has split the Dutch into two groups and prevented them from reaching the shallower waters. While the Dutch rear-guard was overwhelmed first, in the centre the battle was more equal and heavy. At the height of the combat, all colours on flagship Venerable were brought down by cannon fire. To ensure that there was no suggestion that the ship had surrendered, a young sailor Jack Crawford has climbed to the top of the mainmast and replaced them as the battle raged beneath him, thus securing a nickname the "Hero of Camperdown". In fierce fight and with high losses on both sides, British Navy has overcame the Dutch and captured eleven ships without losing any of their own.  In result of the battle, the Dutch fleet seized to exist as an independent fighting force. The victory gave the Royal Navy undisputed superiority in the North Sea.

This poster is a high quality "giclée" reproduction of a restored antique original, custom-printed on Standard Single-weight Matt Coated art paper 140gsm or  Heavyweight Matt Coated art paper 230gsm (more of a thin card density), or superb Epson Matt Canvas 320gsm, according to your choice. We use the latest UltraChromeHDX pigment inks which guarantee 60 years of colour  permanence (up to 200 years fade-proof for colour prints).  This poster is suitable for mounting and framing, as well as direct display on a wall.