FRIEND OR FOE?

Location West of Lisbon .........................................................Date: 28th October 1805

After the battle of Trafalgar the battered and weary fleet had another battle to face, this time with the weather. For a long, storm lashed night the crews struggled to keep their leaking ships afloat.

As soon as he could Admiral Collingwood despatched the schooner Pickle, commanded by Lt. John Lapenotiere, to England with the news of the victory and of the death of Nelson. Pickle set off on the tail of the storm. On the 28th, west of Lisbon, a sloop was sighted and Lt. Lapenotiere had no way of knowing whether it was French or British. To make matters worse it altered course to intercept Pickle. An exchange of signals showed the sloop was British, the Nautilus, and after an exchange of news Pickle resumed her dash to England.

In this painting the sloop has been sighted and a midshipman is in the main crosstrees with a telescope keeping a watchful eye on her. On deck the code signal is being prepared.