During the so-called Seven Years’ War, a talented French naval officer named François Thurot proved a worthy opponent for the Royal Navy.

In 1759, the French assembled three expeditionary forces to mount an invasion of Ireland, one of which was based at Dunkirk under the command of Commodore François Thurot.  The machinations and differing locations of these three forces kept Britain’s navy occupied for most of 1759, and when Thurot’s squadron of six frigates and corvettes finally managed to evade the British blockade of Dunkirk and run for the open sea on 15^th October [1759], it soon became clear that it posed a grave threat to Ireland given the 1,300 seasoned troops it had embarked.  Initially making for Scandinavia, primarily to procure stores, but also to sow confusion as to his intentions, Thurot’s squadron – by now down to three ships due to various mishaps – finally arrived in Irish waters on 25th January 1760.  Atrocious weather prevented a landing near Londonderry but, on 20^th February, Thurot put into Belfast Lough where he landed 600 men and compelled the surrender of Carrickfergus Castle.  Thurot wanted to march on Belfast there and then, but General de Flobert, in command of the troops, refused.  Nevertheless, some hostages were taken and, after revictualling his ships, Thurot sailed for home at midnight on 27^th February.

Three English frigates – Aeolus-32 guns, Pallas-36 and Brilliant-36 – under the command of Captain John Elliot were already at sea and waiting for him however, and the French were sighted early on the 28^th.  Elliot gave chase immediately and brought the three French vessels to action at about 9.00am.  A fierce engagement lasting an hour-and-a-half ensued until the Marėchal de Belleisle (Thurot’s flagship) struck her colours after a spirited fight during which Thurot himself was mortally wounded. The other two French vessels, Blonde and Terpsichore, engaged with Pallas and Brilliant respectively, thereupon lost heart and surrendered soon afterwards.  With victory secured, Elliot took his prizes into Ramsay, Isle of Man, for repairs and although Marėchal de Bellisle was deemed too damaged to be worth saving, the other two captured frigates were purchased into the Royal Navy and it would seem highly likely that Elliot used at least some of his prize money to commission this painting of the event which had enriched him. He also received the thanks of the Irish House of Commons for his services on this occasion which further enhanced his reputation if not his wealth.