Commodore Sir William James.

Repro ID: BHC2801

Description: Commodore James was the commander of the Bombay Marine, the military arm of the East India Company that had been formed in the early 18th century to counter 'piracy'. Many of the so-called Indian pirate ships were owned by Indian rulers, and were stopping and taxing English vessels sailing through their territorial waters. James defeated the Maratha 'pirates' in the Battle of Suvarnadrug in 1755. He retired to a farm in Eltham, and a monument to the Battle of 'Severndroog' still stands on Shooters Hill, Woolwich.

Creator: Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92)

Date: 18th century

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London