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British French Squadron Collection

The British French Squadron, a formidable alliance of naval power, played a pivotal role in the historic events of the mid-19th century

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: The aft deck of the H.M.S. Bulldog on August 15, 1854 off Bomarsund (After Edwin T. Dolby), 1855

The aft deck of the H.M.S. Bulldog on August 15, 1854 off Bomarsund (After Edwin T. Dolby), 1855. Private Collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: British naval gunners on gun deck, c. 1850. Artist: Anonymous

British naval gunners on gun deck, c. 1850. Artist: Anonymous
British naval gunners on gun deck, c. 1850. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: The Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854, 1855. Artist: Norie, Orlando (1832-1901)

The Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854, 1855. Artist: Norie, Orlando (1832-1901)
The Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854, 1855. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Landing of the British Division at Old Fort, near Sevastopol, 1854. Artist: Anonymous

Landing of the British Division at Old Fort, near Sevastopol, 1854. Artist: Anonymous
Landing of the British Division at Old Fort, near Sevastopol, 1854. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Supply base of the British Army at the Balaclava harbour, 1854. Artist: Norie, Orlando

Supply base of the British Army at the Balaclava harbour, 1854. Artist: Norie, Orlando
Supply base of the British Army at the Balaclava harbour, 1854. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Bombardment of Sevastopol, 1854. Artist: Anonymous

Bombardment of Sevastopol, 1854. Artist: Anonymous
Bombardment of Sevastopol, 1854. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Bomarsund and its fortifications, in the Aland Islands 1854, 1854. Artist: Anonymous

Bomarsund and its fortifications, in the Aland Islands 1854, 1854. Artist: Anonymous
Bomarsund and its fortifications, in the Aland Islands 1854, 1854. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Town and harbour of Balaklava from the camp of the 93rd Highlanders, 1854. Artist: O Reilly

Town and harbour of Balaklava from the camp of the 93rd Highlanders, 1854. Artist: O Reilly
Town and harbour of Balaklava from the camp of the 93rd Highlanders, 1854. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: The Battle of Bomarsund, 1858

The Battle of Bomarsund, 1858. Private Collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: The British-French squadron in Sevastopol, ca 1855. Artist: Anonymous

The British-French squadron in Sevastopol, ca 1855. Artist: Anonymous
The British-French squadron in Sevastopol, ca 1855. Found in the collection of State Central A. Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Moscow

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Disembarkation of the French Army at Eupatoria, 14 September 1854

Disembarkation of the French Army at Eupatoria, 14 September 1854. Artist: Barrias, Felix-Joseph (1822-1907)
Disembarkation of the French Army at Eupatoria, 14 September 1854. Found in the collection of Musee de l Histoire de France, Chateau de Versailles

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: General View of Sevastopol, 1856. Artist: Bossoli, Carlo (1815-1884)

General View of Sevastopol, 1856. Artist: Bossoli, Carlo (1815-1884)
General View of Sevastopol, 1856. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: The floating battery Tonnante in the Ice near Kinburn, 1856. Artist: Ciceri, Eugene (1813-1890)

The floating battery Tonnante in the Ice near Kinburn, 1856. Artist: Ciceri, Eugene (1813-1890)
The floating battery Tonnante in the Ice near Kinburn, 1856. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: The Floating batteries at the Siege of Kinburn 1855-1856, 1856. Artist: Anonymous

The Floating batteries at the Siege of Kinburn 1855-1856, 1856. Artist: Anonymous
The Floating batteries at the Siege of Kinburn 1855-1856, 1856. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Icebreaking in the Dnieper Liman for the passage of Floating batteries, 1855-1856, 1860

Icebreaking in the Dnieper Liman for the passage of Floating batteries, 1855-1856, 1860. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Bombardment of Kinburn, 1855. Artist: Anonymous

Bombardment of Kinburn, 1855. Artist: Anonymous
Bombardment of Kinburn, 1855. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: View of Sevastopol from the sea, 1855. Artist: Simpson, William (1832-1898)

View of Sevastopol from the sea, 1855. Artist: Simpson, William (1832-1898)
View of Sevastopol from the sea, 1855. Found in the collection of the State Museum of the Defence of Sevastopol 1854-1855, Sevastopol

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: The Embarkation of the sick at Balaklava, 1855. Artist: Simpson, William (1832-1898)

The Embarkation of the sick at Balaklava, 1855. Artist: Simpson, William (1832-1898)
The Embarkation of the sick at Balaklava, 1855. Found in the collection of the State Museum of the Defence of Sevastopol 1854-1855, Sevastopol

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Bombardment of Bomarsund, 1854. Artist: Dolby, Edwin Thomas (active 1849-1865)

Bombardment of Bomarsund, 1854. Artist: Dolby, Edwin Thomas (active 1849-1865)
Bombardment of Bomarsund, 1854. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: Arrival of General Baraguay D Hilliers at Grengam, 1854. Artist: Brierly, Oswald Walters (1817-1894)

Arrival of General Baraguay D Hilliers at Grengam, 1854. Artist: Brierly, Oswald Walters (1817-1894)
Arrival of General Baraguay D Hilliers at Grengam, 1854. From a private collection

Background imageBritish French Squadron Collection: The Aland Islands on July 22, 1854, 1855. Artist: Brierly, Oswald Walters (1817-1894)

The Aland Islands on July 22, 1854, 1855. Artist: Brierly, Oswald Walters (1817-1894)
The Aland Islands on July 22, 1854, 1855. From a private collection



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The British French Squadron, a formidable alliance of naval power, played a pivotal role in the historic events of the mid-19th century. With their guns blazing and sails billowing, these brave sailors embarked on daring missions that would forever be etched in history. In the year 1850, British naval gunners stood resolute on the gun deck, ready to defend their ship against any adversary. Their unwavering dedication and skill were captured by an anonymous artist who immortalized their bravery through art. One such momentous event was The Battle of Balaclava on October 25th, 1854. Artist Orlando Norie depicted this fierce clash between opposing forces with vivid strokes of his brush. The chaos and heroism displayed during this battle are evident in every stroke. Another artwork from 1854 showcases the landing of the British Division at Old Fort near Sevastopol. An anonymous artist beautifully captures the anticipation and determination etched upon each soldier's face as they set foot on foreign soil. Balaclava harbor served as a crucial supply base for the British Army during this time. Orlando Norie's depiction transports us back to 1854 when ships laden with provisions docked at its bustling harbor, ensuring soldiers had what they needed to continue their fight. Sevastopol became a focal point for conflict during this period, enduring relentless bombardments from both land and sea. Anonymous artists documented these intense moments where cannons roared and explosions filled the air - testaments to human resilience amidst chaos. The Aland Islands' fortress Bomarsund also witnessed its fair share of battles in 1854. Artists captured its imposing fortifications standing tall against enemy attacks – symbols of strength amid adversity. From atop their campsite overlooking Balaklava town and harbor, O Reilly portrayed members of Scotland's famed 93rd Highlanders gazing down upon scenes that would forever shape history - a testament to the indomitable spirit of these soldiers.