Escape of HMS 'Clyde' from the Nore mutiny, 30 May 1797 RMG BHC0496

Escape of HMS 'Clyde' from the Nore mutiny, 30 May 1797
During the mutiny at the Nore, off Sheerness, which followed on from that at Spithead, only two ships' captains managed to maintain some control of their commands. One of these was Captain Charles Cunningham of the frigate, 'Clyde'. On 29 May, he managed to persuade his men to ignore the summons from the rebel leader Richard Parker, in the 'Sandwich', to a conference. Instead, at 9.00 p.m. that night, Cunningham assembled his crew and told them that he intended to take the 'Clyde' into Sheerness. After midnight she slipped her cable and made for Sheerness, anchoring there at dawn. The port admiral, Vice-Admiral Buckner, then defiantly rehoisted his flag in her, the mutineers having hauled it down in the guardship, 'Sandwich'.

In this interpretation, the 'Clyde', in starboard-broadside view, is sailing on the starboard tack and occupying the right-hand side of the picture. Beyond her stern and to the left is the 'Sandwich', port-quarter view, with the red flag of mutiny at her main and her riding lights lit. To the left of the 'Sandwich', in starboard-quarter view, is a two-decker firing one of her after upper-deck guns. Other ships lie at anchor beyond her and in the right background, under 'Clyde's' jib-boom, is a frigate firing a gun from her port tier.

The painting captures the darkness of Cunningham's plight and that of the Navy. The atmospheric moonlight is implied behind the 'Clyde', and this bright light helps to create the contrast with the dark ship which has chosen to separate herself from the mutinous fleet. This painting is one of a pair; see also BHC 0497. The artist has signed it on a floating spar in the sea at centre left, in red on brown.

Escape of HMS 'Clyde' from the Nore mutiny, 30 May 1797