Anton Schranz 1769-1839

British warships and merchant vessels arrived in Port Mahon, Minorca on 19th December 1793, following the abandoned siege of Toulon, a failed offensive led by Admiral Hood.  It is likely that Anton Schranz sailed with the British fleet at this time, but it is certain that he was living on the island of Minorca in 1794 since his marriage to Elizabeth Haward-Taduri is recorded for December 1794.  He quickly established a successful practice as a marine painter, and lived on Minorca for the next twenty-three years until moving to Malta in 1817.  The majority of Schranz's works depict Minorcan landscapes or views of British vessels in the harbour.

The Europa is listed in Colledge's list of naval ships as a transport hired in 1854 and burnt by accident at sea in May the same year.  It is possible that this vessel was one of the original vessels which sailed from the abandoned siege of Toulon.