18th century Engraving of the Man of War, “The Royal George .” Dated 1751 , a copperplate engraving of the biggest Royal Navy ship at the time

Height 22” or 56cm
Width 26.50” or 67cm

Copperplate Engraving of important size with contempory hand colouring Dated 1751

Inscribed

The Royal George. Built at Woolwich by John Achworth Efq. and Launch’d September 17th 1751. Is in Lengh 200 Foot, in Breadth 49 Foot , Carrying 116 Guns.
Printed Dublin

Work was started on the Royal George at Woolwich in 1747 and she was launched in 1756. The Royal George figures in a 1755 painting by Clevely of the launch of HMS Cambridge, fictitiously depicted already afloat on the Thames.

This was propaganda for the largest man o’ war in the world as yet not finished. and would explain why the engraving is dated 1751.and also results in the inaccuracies as to the size and number of guns. and the rather primitive but delightful image.
The ship took part in many engagements, including Quiberon Bay in 1759.
It was accidentally sunk in the Solent with great loss of life in 1782.