Oil on canvas painting by George Webster photographed whilst I was in Guernsey. The painting depicts HMS Crescent off the coast of Devon in 1805. HMS Crescent played a significant role in the history of the channel Islands during the French Revolutionary wars. In 1793 Captain James Saumarez (1757-1836) whilst in command of the Crescent captured a French Frigate in a single ship action.
The following year Saumarez was conveying troops to the Channel Islands while in charge of a small squadron. Suddenly they because caught up with a superior French force and would have faced certain defeat if it was not for a local pilot, Jean Breton. He used his knowledge of the seas around Guernsey to take the squadron through a treacherous passage of rocks and escape. During this dangerous maneuver Saumarez asked the pilot if he was sure of his navigation marks. He replied "Aye Sir", pointing inland " I am quite sure, for there is your house and there is my own".
The following year Saumarez was conveying troops to the Channel Islands while in charge of a small squadron. Suddenly they because caught up with a superior French force and would have faced certain defeat if it was not for a local pilot, Jean Breton. He used his knowledge of the seas around Guernsey to take the squadron through a treacherous passage of rocks and escape. During this dangerous maneuver Saumarez asked the pilot if he was sure of his navigation marks. He replied "Aye Sir", pointing inland " I am quite sure, for there is your house and there is my own".
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