John Wilson Carmichael 1800-1868

Considering the list of vessels it is likely that this work depicts the gathering of Lord Exmouth's Fleet prior to the bombardment of Algiers in 1816.

The action was prompted by the continuing menace of the Barbary Pirates who emanated from the North West coast of Africa and had been raiding European merchant ships in the Mediterranean for centuries.  The capture of the British consul to Algeria and the enslavement of Christians left the government with little choice but to act. 

The English Fleet, allied to a small Dutch contingent, arrived off the coast on 27th August.  In the ensuing battle which lasted ten-hours over fifty thousand round shot were fired destroying 33 ships and forcing the release of the consul and all other prisoners.