The Gallant Action between His Majesty's Packet Antelope, & the French Privateer L' Atalante

Hand-colored aquatint of the action between the French privateer 'L'Atalante' and the British packet ship 'Antelope.' On December 1, 1793, the British packet ship operating under the Post Office Packet Service was on her way to England from Port Royal, Jamaica when she was spotted and chased by French privateers. 'L'Atalante,' facing port side is in the foreground and the 'Antelope' is abreast her. Men on the French ship are on the deck firing guns and brandishing swords. The men on deck of the British ship are faintly visible through the cloud of smoke between the ships.

Despite outnumbering the British crew by 44 men, 'L'Atalante' surrendered. The higher deck of 'Antelope' is said to have aided her victory as it enabled the crew to fire down while being protected. The British towed the French privateer as their prize back to Jamaica where Jamaica's House of Assembly voted to grant 500 guineas to the officers and men for their bravery.
The text at the bottom margin describes the engagement and lists the man-and-firepower and number of casualties for each ship.