Thomas Whitcombe circa 1752 - circa 1824

The Parker Gallery, London

CAPTURE OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE STRUCTURE The ccanvas hs been relined. PAINT SURFACE The paint surface has been cleaned and varnished. Some light traces of dirt ingrained in the varnish visible upon close inspection. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals spots of retouchgin in the sky; further spots of retouching to the sails, also to the water lower left and to a small repair, lower centre. FRAME Held in a aplaster gilt frame in good condition. THE SQUADRON OFF MADEIRA STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. PAINT SURFACE The paint surface has been cleaned and varnished. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals retouching to a repaired tear just off the lower left border; further spots of reotuching throughout the sky and some strengthening to the coastal outline. FRAME Held in a matching frame in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The capture of the Cape of Good Hope was an important result of the battles of Camperdown, which had destroyed Dutch sea power, and Trafalgar, which had secured England's naval dominance. England knew the importance of possessing the Cape both as a naval stronghold and as a staging post for her ever-increasing dominions in India. She was now in a position to take it back, having held the Cape between 1795 and 1803 under what is known as "The First Occupation." 

In late 1805 The Admiralty sent sixty-three ships to Table Bay, under the command of Sir Home Riggs Popham (1762 - 1820). The squadron arrived at the Cape on 4th January 1806 but heavy surf initially prevented landing, and the troops remained on board for three days. The Dutch however could not mount a proper defence, at least in part because the Boer settlers were unable to leave their farms, and Cape Town was occupied by the 10th January. Popham himself led his marine battalion during the operation. The settlers in the Cape had previously suffered under the misrule of the Dutch East India Company, and as a result the English were not entirely unwelcome. Reforms were introduced, schools were built, the slave-trade was forbidden and justice was administered; significantly, Dutch law was allowed to remain in force. Within a few years English occupation was acknowledged and Holland sold her rights to the Cape for the sum of £6,000,000.

H.M.S. Diadem was a 64-gun third-rate ship of the line built at Chatham Dockyard in 1782.  Measuring 160 ft in length with a 44 ½ ft beam she carried twenty-six 24-pounders, twenty-six 18-pounders and twelve 9-pounders. She saw extensive service until 1832 and was Nelson's first command upon his promotion to Commodore in 1796.

Little is known about Thomas Whitcombe, despite contributing more than any other artist in recording the naval side of the French Revolutionary Wars, and he exhibited almost every year between 1783 and 1824 at the Royal Academy.