H.M.S. MONARCH. (((( Clear for Action ))))

Titled and subtitled by the artist, in calligraphic hand, below the inked border with palmette or 'sword in guard' corners. Letter in the ship's name are shadowed in red ink; “Clear for Action” bordered with inked calligraphic curls and flourishes.

Signed & dated, in lower right within the paint image : signature semi-legible John Arthur (or John Arlham) 1879
(The artist has not been identified, and may be a self-trained port painter or sailor-artist.)
Sight Size within mat : 20” x 12 -1/2",
framed to 28-1/2" x 21"
Black Ink and Watercolors on paper
Framed, glazed, matted with acid free materials.

The HMS Monarch, built 1868, was the first sea-going warship to carry her guns in turrets and the first British warship to carry guns of 12-inch calibre.

She was commissioned for the Channel Fleet at Chatham, where she served until 1872. She crossed the Atlantic in company of USS Plymouth carrying the remains of George Peabody, American merchant, financier and philanthropist, to the United States for burial. On the way home she sailed 242 nautical miles on a single day, short by only one mile of the record.

In 1874 she joined the Channel Fleet.
From 1876 to 1885 she served in the Mediterranean, with a short refit at home in 1877. (It has been reported verbally that British Admiralty records place her off the coast of Martinique in 1879.)

By 1882, the HMS Monarch was active in the bombardment of Alexandria, firing 125 twelve-inch shells at the Egyptian forts.

She was ordered to Malta in the Russian war scare of 1885, broke down en route, was towed to Malta and sent home under escort. After refit served in the Channel from 1885 to 1890. Following a lengthy modernization she was guard ship at Simons Bay until 1902, when, renamed, she served as a depot ship, and finally was sold in 1905.

References cited, according to Wikipedia : Parkes, Oscar (1990) British Battleships : “Warrior” 1860 to “Vanguard” 1950 : a History of Design., Construction and Armament, London: Cooper, ISBN 0-85052-604-3.
Chesneau, Roger & Kolesnik, Eugene (1979) Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1860-1905, London: Conway Maritime Press, ISBN 0-85177-133-5.

# 00174.........................................................$ 1,500.