One of two drawings of the ‘Mary Rose’ action in the collection (the other is PAF6585).

While on convoy duty in the Mediterranean, Captain John Kempthorne in the ‘Mary Rose’ was attacked by seven Algerine corsairs. With the help of only a ketch, the ‘Roe’, they were none the less repulsed and the whole convoy saved.

This well-finished drawing is based on Hollar’s etching of the incident in Ogilby’s ‘Africa’ (1670), though the drawing has more smoke and the ships are more accurate. It has a high horizon and in the centre middle distance shows a port-broadside view of the ‘Mary Rose’. On her port bow is a pink (copied from the incorrect etching) and the ‘Hamborough’ frigate. On her beam is a Scotch merchantman and, on her quarter, the ‘Roe’. In line to starboard are six of the Algerines, the ‘Half Moon’, ‘Orange Tree’, ‘Seven Stars’, ‘White Horse’, ‘Hart’ and ‘Golden Lion. In the left foreground is a French merhantman and in the right distance the Algerine ‘Rose Leaf’ pursuing a prize that was cast adrift.

The positions of the ships and letters of the key are based on Hollar’s etching in Ogilby’s ‘Africa’ published in 1670. Van de Velde also did a slightly different version of the drawing with a low horizon. His final painting, now in the Royal Collection, shows still further changes, with the pink more prominent and ship-rigged.

In the Boyman’s Museum, Rotterdam, there are two drawings (30-31) apparently of the action, which have no connection with Hollar’s etching; one is inscribed on the back in an old hand, possibly by Adriaan van de Velde the Younger, ‘no 3 schetse van een slag / ongedaen’ (Sketches of a battle not done).