The 'General Goddard' capturing Dutch East Indiamen, late 18th century - early 19th century (oil...

Creator: Thomas Luny This painting depicts an engagement that took place off St Helena on 11 June 1795, during the war with France. The 'General Goddard', was an important ship in the history of the East India Company fleet. During 1795 it was commanded by William Taylor Money. The incident, depicted in the painting, took place during the return leg of the vessel's fifth voyage for the company, known as Cape Expedition, which resulted in the capture of nine Dutch East Indiamen. The General Goddard and the seven other East India ships, that made the homeward bound convoy, reached their moorings between the 16 and 19 October 1795. The other vessels were the 'Asia', 'Essex', 'Manship', 'Airly Castle', 'Lord Hawkesbury', 'Busbridge' and the 'Earl of Wycombe'. The National Maritime Museum also holds a commonplace book belonging to Commander Henry Upton, Fourth Officer on the General Goddard between 1793 and 1795.