Plate

This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of Enoch Wood & Sons features a view of a fleet of sailing ships at battle to commemorate the American naval victory of Commodore Thomas MacDonough (1783–1825) during the War of 1812. The battle took place on September 11, 1814 on Lake Champlain where American vessels defended the town of Plattsburgh, New York from invasion by a British fleet led by Captain George Downie (n.d.). Wood & Sons' view depicts the English twenty-six-gun ship "Confiance," the American twenty-six gun ship "Saratoga," and the American brig ship "Eagle" engaging in the conflict. The view was based on a painting by Philadelphia painter Hugh Reinagle (ca. 1788–1834) reproduced in 1816 as an engraving by Philadelphia engraver Benjamin Tanner (1775–1848) titled "MacDonough's Victory on Lake Champlain and Defeat of the British Army at Plattsburgh by Genl. Macomb, Septr 11th, 1814." Wood & Sons included the view in its series of approximately twenty-nine predominantly nautical American and foreign views with grotto-shaped shell borders manufactured for the United States export market. The American Wing's collection contains additional pieces from the series. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Wood & Sons.