Beschreibung:

Trafalgar Interest - Rare pair of 19th Century oil on canvas portraits, of James Keith (Master of HMS Neptune at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October 1805) and of his wife Lesley Keith (née Douglas), both depicted bust-length, he with white wing-collared shirt and Naval coat, she with lace bonnet, blue silk dress and mantle, 74cm x 61.5cm, (restored 1998), in gilt frames James Keith is recorded as a ship's Master (the ship's Navigator and Senior Warrant Officer responsible for the sails and seamanship) on other vessels as early as 1793. Ships prior to the Neptune include the Cameleon and the Saturn. Literature: MacKenzie, Colonel Robert Holden 'The Trafalgar Roll, Containing the Names and Services of all Officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who participated in the Glorious Victory of 21st October 1805, together with a History of the Ships engaged in the Battle', George Allen & Company, London, 1913, p. 58, where listed "Master . . . James Keith (23)" and p. 65 where (23) details "Mr. J. Keith was appointed Master, R. N., 1793. Master of the Neptune at Trafalgar 1805. Died in 1838." Recorded in the family of the current owner (a descendant) is the existence of a letter, a transcript of which still exists and is reproduced below: "H.M.S. Neptune. Off Cadiz November 1st, 1805 My Dear Mother, On the 21st of last month, as you will hear by the newspaper, our fleet fought the combined force of France and Spain and though we were much inferior in numbers, we gained a decisive victory, after four hours hard fighting. Fifteen of their ships struck. Our loss has been great, in as much as Lord Nelson, our Commander-in-Chief was killed. His loss will long be felt by England as an officer. We had two captains killed, three wounded and inferior officers many both killed and wounded, which I have no opportunity of knowing. Our loss in this ship was trifling; only nine killed and thirty-six wounded; which was very fortunate as we engaged the commander-in-chief of the French and the third in command of the Spanish, the last in a ship of 130 guns and the first 30 guns. However in about three and a half hours they struck to us, but not before all their masts were overboard. The carnage in both ships was lamentable. My dear Mother a sea fight of itself is terrible, but a gale of wind on the shore which has continued now a whole week has added additional pangs to many a poor family, for many of the enemy’s ships after being dismasted in battle by us became the sport of the element, and after tossing about as the wind listed for several days they finished their earthly course in a watery grave. Indeed our own situation was far from being pleasant. All our masts wounded, some seriously; with hundreds of prisoners on board, and us in a gale of wind on an enemy’s coast. I assure you it has given my constitution such a blow as I cannot expect to recover soon. And sorry am I that Scotland can never be a resting place for me except in summer, though I have the appearance of being a strong man. A little cold and little fatigue soon lays me up, and soon pulls down that fabric which a little before seemed to be immovable. I am always thankful to God for His great goodness to me, more particularly for the good health which I have formerly enjoyed and now really I make up my mind as about my age, with anxiety of mind frequently and the changes of climate, it can only be natural for a decay of bodily strength to take place. My dear Mother, this is as much as you can understand. If I thought there were any nautical men near you I would have detailed the action from the beginning to the end with notes, but not expecting that, I rest satisfied with having told you that I have survived the fight, and that I shall be very happy to hear the trumpet sound peace over all the world. May God continue you health and strength is the most earnest prayer, of, my dear Mother, Your affectionate son" The Family Tree suggests that James Keith married Lesley Douglas in