cockybundoo

Hi Peter, If it's of any help, during the same period Colonel Fawkes noted the colour schemes of the 74's at the Battle of the Nile,1798 (Culloden & Theseus both being Culloden Class 74's, although this might not be significant when considering colour schemes). The British fleet at Abu Kir Bay Alexander, Audacious, Bellerophon, Defence, Orion - Plain yellow sides. Goliath - Light yellow sides with black streak between the upper and lower gun ports. Culloden - Yellow sides with two small black streaks between the upper and lower deck ports. Majestic, Swiftsure - Yellow sides with a black streak between the upper and lower deck ports. Theseus - Light yellow sides with a black streak between the upper and lower deck ports with hammock cloths yellow and ports painted on them to resemble a three-decker Vanguard - Yellow sides with a black streak between upper & lower deck ports. Minotaur - Red sides with a black streak between the upper & lower deck ports Zealous - Broad red sides with small yellow stripes. It appears that the yellow was defined as being light yellow or canary yellow; an earlier darker yellow was not popular due to making the ships look 'dirty'. Various articles that are great for information on ship colours are; An Artist's Notes at the Battle of the Nile - Mariners Mirror (1914) - Original reference to Colonel Fawkes The Application and Scheme of Paintworks in British Men-of-War in the Late Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries - Goodwin, Mariners Mirror 2013 Pitch, Paint, Varnish and the Changing Colour Schemes of Royal Navy Warships, 1775 1815: A summary of existing knowledge - Vale, Mariners Mirror 2020 http://www.larsonweb.com/Transfer/Miniatures/Sail/NAPSHIPS.htm Mickey