Admiral Lord Bridport

Lemuel Francis Abbott, ca. 1760–1802

ca. 1795

Oil on canvas

Yale Center for British Art

A man in a dark blue naval uniform with gold trim and medals stands pointing to the left, with ships visible in the background. The naval engagement shown in the background of this portrait of Alexander Hood, Lord Bridport (1727-1814) was the highpoint of his career: a successful action on June 23, 1795, against the French under Admiral the comte de Villaret-Joyeuse, off Port l'Orient (the principal depot and home base of the French East India Company in Brittany). Bridport was at this time "Admiral of the White," two steps away from the highest naval rank, that of "Admiral of the Fleet." His flagship, H.M.S. Royal George, which flies the Union Jack and the ensign of an Admiral of the White (a red cross on a white background), is shown engaging with the Fren