Dutch gunboat on the Scheldt – Willem Hendrik Hoogkamer after Christoffel van der Hart, c. 1830

“Kanonneerboot op de Schelde onder zeil.” [Gunboat under sail on the Scheldt] etching with aquatint made around 1830 by Willem…

“Kanonneerboot op de Schelde onder zeil.” [Gunboat under sail on the Scheldt] etching with aquatint made around 1830 by Willem Hendrik Hoogkamer (1790-1864) after a drawing by Christoffel van der Hart. Coloured by a later hand. Size: approx. 31 x 39 cm.

In the foreground, sailing with headwind, a small boat with one gun. This type of boats had the advantage of being able to manoeuvre in shallow waters and rivers, allowing them to hit targets inland. This print was made during the time of the Belgian Revoltutin, during which Dutch boats took Antwerp under fire from the river Scheldt. On the right in front a four-ribbed rowboat, in the background two frigates at anchor and a second sailing gunboat.

These boats were involved in the blockade of the port of Antwerp. This blockade was intended to suppress the Belgian Revolution against The Netherlands. The southern provinces of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands eventually seceded during this revolution and formed the independent state of Belgium.

The design for this etching was made by Christoffel van der Hart, Lieutenant at Sea 1st class in the Dutch Navy. He served on several ships, including the frigates “Zr.Ms. Prins van Oranje” and “Zr.Ms. Rotterdam”. Christoffel van der Hart was also involved in campaigns against the rebellious Belgians as a naval officer.

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