19th Century Hand Colored Lithograph Le Taureau (The Bull) French Iron Ship 1865

Rare 19thc. Hand Colored Lithograph, Le Taureau (The Bull) French Iron Ship 1865 Rare 19th Century Hand Colored Lithograph of French Ironside "Le Taureau" (The Bull) - beautiful condition! We're selling a wonderful, rare lithograph beautifully hand tinted by the artist Antoine Leon Morel Fatio, (1810-1871). The Lithograph is titled: "LA FLOTTE DE NOS JAURS" Underneath the Image reading: "Dessine’ et Lithographier’ par Morel-Fatio" “Drawn and Lithographed by Morel-Fatio” "Le Taureau" "GARDE-COTES CUIRASSE DE 530 CHEVAUX Arme' d'une bouche a feu de fort calibre, sur chassis tournant et pouvant tier dans toutes les directions". The 19th century artist Antoine Leon Morel Fatio lived and worked in France. He was known for his maritime and landscape painting as well as historic prints. Description of the ship in the New York Times in 1865: The To[???]s contains a complete description of the Taureau, a steam ram built on a new system, and lately launched at Toulon. The Taureau presents a fo[???]ridable appearance, due more to its from than to its size. The impression produced is that of an impregnable fortress; it is neither pretty nor light, and its beauty consists in its formidable appearance. The construction was commenced in 1863, and it was Admiral BOUET-WILLAUMEZ, at that time Maritime Prefect of Toulon, who, by permission of the Minister of Marine, prepared the plan of an iron-plated steam ram for the defence of the seaports. Its utility was incontestible, and it became more so after the attacks on Charleston and Fort Fisher. The Taureau draws so little water that she may be concealed close to the shore while waiting for an enemy to enter theharbor, or she may take a position in shallow water where it will be impossible to follow her. Her prow terminates in a point, and this point is armed with a kind of massive bronze cone, which serves as her spur. It is with this spur that this heavy ram, driven at a speed of twelve to fourteen knots an hour, by machinery of 500-horse power, can strike and split a ship. The Taureau is, moreover, supplied with two screws, which enable her to turn in a very small space, and with the greatest facility. She can consequently in a moment present her front to an enemy, whatever her position. Let it be supposed that an iron-plated frigate has forced the entrance to the port of Toulon, and is attacked by the ram. The latter can turn in a small space at a speed of twelve knots an hour, while the frigate, moving at that speed, must describe a circle of 600 yards in diameter. Under these disadvantageous circumstances it will be difficult for the frigate to avoid the shock of the ram. The latter can further avail herself of one large gun which she carries. Her facility of evolution will enable her to place herself in any position. She may, for example, attack the frigate by approaching her stern, and thus avoid her broadside. This large gun -- the only one the Taureau carries -- weighs twenty tons. This ram is intended not only to do buttle in the harbor and defend its entrance, but likewise to pursue a ship when she has been driven out of it. Her powerful artillery will enable her to attack an enemy on her arrival and pursue her in her flight at such a distance that it will be impossible for a frigate to return her fire. In a word, the new ram, with her formidable spur and her heavy gun, is a very terrible instrument of war, and no less efficient for defence. The Taureau has but one deck, which is plated with iron from one end to the other. The sides of the hull are likewise plated with iron the full length, from three feet under the water line to the deck. The deck and the sides form, as it were, an iron box, safe from any shot that may be fired at it. It is in this iron box that the machinery is placed, and the entire crew during an action, except those in the tower. The deck of the Taureau is covered over its entire length with a cylindrical ball-proof dome. The surface of the dome is so inclined that it is impossible to walk on it; it will consequently be impossible to capture it by boarding. Approx. Dimensions: 23.5" x 29" (outside dimensions) 13.5 x 19"(image size) Condition: This piece is in excellent condition in a frame behind glass Please see all photos for a complete description. LOC. F
Listed with ExportYourStore.com