The 1805 Dispatches #22.01 February 2022 1 of 5 THE REGULAR NEWSLETTER OF THE 1805 CLUB www.1805club.org THE 1805 DISPATCHES THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Observations From The Chairman, Capt. John Rodgaard (USN Retd.) Despite what seems to be a never-ending pandemic that has put many into a metaphorical state of the doldrums, I do so hope all had a good holiday season with family and friends. This first issue of The 1805 Dispatches for 2022 certainly dispels that feeling of the doldrums. It can’t be said that our honourable secretary/chief of staff, Stephen Howarth, was sitting about during the season. What a part-time job he has of providing entertaining lectures aboard a premier cruise ship such as the Bolette! I, for one, have asked him if I could carry his bags on his next cruise. Stephen’s activity is emblematic of what The Club anticipates its membership will be doing in the first half of 2022. Several events are planned and we hope several projects will soon come to fruition. Our US Secretary, Pete Stark, is planning an in-person luncheon for members living within the greater Washington DC area on Saturday 12 February. It will commemorate the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. He is also planning a Potomac River cruise aboard the Tall Ship Providence in the late spring. Fellow club member and President of the British Officers Club of DC, Peter Pennington, is planning a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and birthday garden party at one of Alexandria’s historic homes in Virginia. In the past, many members of The Club living in the DC area have joined in celebrating the Queen’s birthday. Among the projects and accompanying events for 2022, The Club has contributed financially to the restoration of the Nelson Room at the former Greenwich Royal Naval Hospital and College. Nelson’s remains laid in state there prior to his funeral. We have been informed that work is nearly completed and the room will be dedicated and opened to the public some time in the next few months. I will keep all of you posted, especially those living within the greater London area when the dedication will occur. We received confirmation from fellow member Stephen Tregidgo that the Admiral William Cornwallis memorial plaque has completed a major milestone. All parties have agreed on the design and type of memorial stone to be fabricated as well as the placement of the stone in St. Ann’s Church, HM Naval Base Portsmouth. It is anticipated the dedication of the Cornwallis memorial stone will take place during the summer months. Council member, Ms. Kathy Brown, currently the Director of The Trafalgar Way, is working on developing a Club fundraiser through a Trafalgar Way auction. I have been informed by The Club’s webmaster, Josephine Birtwhistle, that The Club’s website has been updated and is now available to the members and the rest of the world. I encourage you all to look at it. It is a massive improvement and we thank her for her efforts, especially her patience. I think it will definitely show our membership and the world the direction the Club is taking as it enters its next decade. By way of appreciation, I am sure you will join me in expressing a BZ ‘well done’ to our editor, Peter Turner for the last issue of the Kedge Anchor. There were great articles about the effects of Captain William Hoste (Nelson’s favourite) that are now up for auction; an article on the Truxton Bowl and the life of Commodore Thomas Truxton, USN; excellent articles on ship decorations, figureheads and the new figurehead for Cutty Sark. The quality of the illustrations and the layout are outstanding. I do have to say that the continued quality of the Kedge Anchor andThe 1805 Dispatches is up to us as members of The 1805 Club. Peter will definitely welcome your articles. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention The Club’s Facebook page. If you haven’t visited it lately, there have been some really fabulous postings by members Stephen Howarth, Lily Styles and Judy Pearson. Here is the link: www.facebook.com/The1805Club Finally, if this isn’t a vote of confidence in the future, I don’t know what is. I have dragged out my sea chest in preparation for our trans-Atlantic passage on the Queen Mary 2 over to Blighty in May. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at The Club’s AGM on Saturday 28May. Yours aye, Detail from ‘HMS Victory’s Finest Moment’ by Richard Grenville https://sapiart.com/product/h-m-svictorys-finest-moment/
The 1805 Dispatches #22.01 February 2022 2 of 5 SHIP’S WORD WHEEL Take a ten-minute break and find as many words as possible, using the letters in the wheel. Each must use the hub letter and at least 3 others, used only once. No plurals (if only made by adding an ‘s’ or ‘es’), no foreign words not in common usage in English, nor proper nouns. There is at least one nine-letter word to be found. 35 = Average; 50 = Good; 65 = Very Good; 70+ = Amazing! Answers on page 4 USS Constitution has made history…again! I January 2022, USS Constitution bid a fond farewell to Cdr John A. Benda and warmly welcomed Cdr Billie June (BeeJay) Farrell, the first woman to take command of “Old Ironsides.” It's a defining moment in the Ship's 224year history as the first female took the helm in January. As this incredible news made its way across the country and even the world, those interested were invited to meet these decorated U.S. Navy leaders in a free virtual event! It was also the first time a public audience was invited to meet both commanders and to celebrate in advance of the change of command. On Wednesday, January 19 at 1PM ET, the USS Constitution Museu "Captains of USS Constitution: Hail & Farewell," celebrated these two historic commanding officers in a dynamic online programme; the first opportunity to hear directly from Cdr Benda and Cdr Farrell before the change of command. What are the plans for the future of the Ship? And of course, whose home state has the better signature dish? You may be able to pick this up post-event at https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org BTW, did you know that Constitution was the inspiration for Acheron, the French ‘phantom ship’ in the filmMaster and Commander, Far Side of the World, starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany as Capt Jack Aubrey and Dr Stephen Maturin. A message was received from The 1805 Club Secretary, Stephen Howarth, when hewas lecturing on a Christmas cruise tour aboard Fred Olsen’s BOLETTE: “On 22 December I was in La Coruña and some instinct led me to the place shown in the attached photo. Nice gin and fabulous mussels in a spicy tomato sauce. As you can tell, I am always thinking of copy for the TD.” We hope other members follow this fine example and send us details of their successes, and failures, with regard to vittles. Your Editor recently ‘found’ that Sir Thomas Slade, the designer of HMS Victory, is buried in St Clement’s Churchyard in Ipswich, UK, where there is a memorial in his honour. This discovery was only new to him, however, as it is already recorded on The 1805 Club Memlog, but no less exciting for a few minutes. SATISFIED SECRETARY USS CONSTITUTION SIR THOMAS SLADE REFOUND IN IPSWICH Internationalism is a hugely valuable part of The 1805 Club's character and, therefore relevant news items from members of all nations are strongly welcomed for TD. Ideally, they should be about 300 words, give or take a hundred, with images where possible. If you send something longer, then it may have to go intoKA, where they can be as long as you like and will be equally welcomed (but may get edited to fit). Never fear lack of experience – It did not stop me. Ed. INTERNATIONAL NEWS NEEDED EDITORIAL Happy New Year from me, everyone, and thanks for your support. There have been times when there is nothing much to report, but times they are achanging and it is all looking good for the near future. It will soon be spring!
The 1805 Dispatches #22.01 February 2022 3 of 5 GEORGE KING Fighting Talk: One Boy’s Journey from Abandonment to Trafalgar Take a look at the website link below, of an exhibition until 27 February 2022, which we think might be of interest to our readers. It is a small exhibition at the Foundlings Museum that will be worth a visit if you are in London, but perhaps not for a special trip to London from afar. George King, once a Royal Marine on HMS Polyphemus (64), wrote his autobiography later in life. Originally apprenticed to a confectioner in London, after being brought up in the Foundlings Hospital– the UK’s first children’s charity. George ran away and was pressed into the Navy in 1804 with his journeys taking him across the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Brazil and Argentina. His memoir provides us with an account of life below deck, on shore, and in the thick of battle, both a humorous and harrowing, including his account of the Battle of Trafalgar where he fought aboard HMS Polyphemus, which took 200 French prisoners and towed HMS Victory, bearing Nelson’s body, back to Gibraltar. Go To: https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/events/fighting-talk… Burnham Thorpe Playing Field Committee was faced with a dilemma over the best way to deal with a diseased Norwegian maple tree which had fallen onto the playing field. The tree had to be cut down, which left a decision on what to do with the stump or face the costly full removal of the stump and roots. BTPFC had the idea of approaching local tree sculptor, Henry Hepworth-Smith, to discuss sculpturing the tree stump. After consideration they decided to mark the Queen’s platinum Jubilee by commissioning Henry to create this Lord Nelson sculpture. The sculpture looks fabulous. It was celebrated with ‘a big reveal’ on the 22nd of December. Text edited from ‘The Burnhams Newsletter’ (Ed. Lucinda Reddyhoff), sent in by Club Chaplain Lynda Sebbage Image: Lynda Sebbage NELSON AGAIN IN BURNHAM THORPE Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust Britain’s extensive underwater cultural heritage ranks amongst the richest in the world. MAST’s mission is to investigate our maritime past to protect our future. The Trust exists to fill a long overdue void in our understanding of our nation’s rich maritime heritage, to ensure that there is a sustainable future for such sites, through archaeology, research, study and dissemination. A database cataloguing every Royal Navy vessel lost since 1512 is now available to the public. The Royal Navy Loss List is a free online database which lists 5,100 warships and auxiliaries lost in naval service. Created by the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust in 2011, and originally intended to help legal and conservation experts protect Royal Navy wrecks around the globe, it has now been made accessible to all. The database is searchable in various ways, as you can find out by going to: https://thisismast.org// research/royal-navy-loss-listsearch.html THE ROYAL NAVY LOSS LIST
The 1805 Dispatches #22.01 February 2022 4 of 5 New(ish) US member, Jessica Turgoose, recently sent this image to Stephen Howarth (for whom she also recently painted a portrait of Nelson). She had suddenly noticed that her Christmas tree topper and Nelson's tree decoration, Order of the Crescent, were so similar. And, not to be outdone, US member Jenny Newbold herself made the tree décoration on the right, because the commercially available ones had an eye-patch! Remember that there is a whole treasure trove of interest on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ The1805Club/ If you are not a member, and are concerned at missing out on all the fun, please contact our Membership Secretary, Barry Scrutton, who will be delighted to hear from you. Click on : Membership Secretary, The 1805 Club NON-MEMBERS TAKE ACTION NOW! Council Member John Wills has reminded us that The Crown Inn at Bishop’s Waltham, Hampshire, UK (just fifteen miles from Portsmouth) has a blue plaque commemorating Admiral Villeneuve, which says: “Villeneuve was the French Commander-in-Chief defeated by Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805. Over 4,000 French Officers and Seamen were taken prisoner and sent to England. Villeneuve and 200 of his Officers were billeted in Bishop's Waltham, onparole.[*] Most were quartered in houses around the town but the Admiral was accommodated here at the Crown Inn. Villeneuve was allowed to attend Nelson's funeral in London and then, in early 1806, he was repatriated to France in exchange for four British Navy Captains. He died at Rennes in April 1806 from multiple stab wounds to the chest. The verdict was suicide but many believed Napoleon had him murdered for his disastrous defeat at Trafalgar.” [* Captain Lucas of Redoubtable, from which the shot that did for Nelson at Trafalgar was fired, was one of those officers who accompanied Villeneuve during his stay here. Ed.] John Rodgaard, our Chairman, has suggested that local members of The 1805 Club might like may meet up with him and Judy at The Crown when they arrive in the UK to attend the AGM. Watch this space. ADMIRAL VILLENEUVE ‘IS AT’ BISHOPS WALTHAM LATE CHRISTMAS NEWS
The 1805 Dispatches #22.01 February 2022 5 of 5 THE 1805 CLUB Founded in 1990, the Club: • Promotes research into and education about the Royal Navy, merchant maritime service and other state navies of the same era; and • Promotes and engages in the preservation of monuments and memorials relating to the Royal Navy and seafaring people of the later sailing-navy era; and • Organises relevant cultural, historical and social events. The Club is charity No. 1071871, registered in England and Wales. Individuals desiring further information may contact: Stephen Howarth, Hon. Club Secretary, The 1805 Club Shelton Great Barn, Shelton, Notts, NG23 5JQ, UK Email: secretary@1805club.org Telephone: 01949 851805. For a membership application details please contact: Barry Scrutton, Hon. Membership Secretary, The 1805 Club 1 Cambus Road, London, E16 4AY, UK email: membership.secretary@1805club.org Telephone: 020 7476 1215. Or: Harold E (Pete) Stark, Hon US Secretary, The 1805 Club 1980 Scotts Crossing Way, No. 002, Annapolis MD 21401 USA Email: the.americas.membership.secretary@1805club.org Telephone: 410-269-9760 (mobile) Or: Mark Billings, Hon Canadian Secretary, The 1805 Club 4000 Marlowe Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3M2 Canada Email: canadian.membership.secretary@1805club.org Telephone: 1-514-296-1641 Visit our website: www.1805club.org Or see us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Or to join go to: Join The 1805 Club The Newsletter for Anyone Interested in The 1805Club PURPOSE. The purpose of this newsletter is to support and advance the Club’s objectives. The newsletter provides anyone who is interested with brief items of news about the club and its activities, in the hope that the it can help the club attract wider interest in naval history and new members. Much of the content will be a précis of articles that will appear inThe Kedge Anchor, the sixmonthly club magazine. EDITORIAL POLICY. The editor has full editorial responsibility for the newsletter. Views expressed in the newsletter are those of individual authors, unless claimed by the editor. Articles which appear do not express the of�icial position of The 1805 Club on any subject unless speci�ically noted as such. Content of contributions to the newsletter may be edited for grammar, space allocation, or to better serve the purpose of the newsletter. Contributors wishing to be alerted to editorial decisions should notify the editor at the time that their contribution is submitted. Otherwise the submission will be published within the scope of the editorial policy. ISSUE AND COPY DATES The proposed issue dates for The 1805 Dispatches are: February, April, June, August, October and December. Anyone wishing to contribute an article or news item to the editor for inclusion in the newsletter should do so by the beginning of the month preceding the issue in which it is to be inserted. Any articles that are not time-speci�ic can be submitted at any time, with a note advising him of that fact. All copy is welcome, but not all copy may be used! NAVAL TERMS THAT HAVE ‘COME ASHORE’ Pipe down – A pipe call meaning: 1. the crew to come down from aloft, or 2. the crew to turn in, or 3. the crew are no longer needed until further orders, or 4. to be silent; hence, seamen’s slang for shutting up. FOTHERING, frighten, frothing, hefting, fighter, foreign, righten, genitor, trigone, finger, fringe, fêting, forget, hoeing, hogtie, ignore, region, toeing, goitre, fright, throng, trigon, feign, grief, forge, gofer, hinge, neigh, eight, thegn, goeth, reign, tinge, tiger, goner, negro, ergot, fight, gonif, grift, hongi, night, thing, girth, right, thong, groin, ingot, tigon, griot, gite, gone, gent, ergo, goer, gore, ogre, frig, gift, frog, nigh, goth, grin, ring, ting, giro, girt, grit, trig, tong, grot, trog SHIP’S WORD WHEEL ANSWERS Weather is but one factor that influences maritime affairs. That was especially so in the age of sailing navies. A research project led by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council is seeking people to help complete weather records back to the 1780s. The GloSAT project wants volunteers to transcribe handwritten meteorological records from the logbooks of ships and weather stations and from weather diaries. It is part of the online Zooniverse citizen science platform. The aim is to fill in gaps of knowledge about past weather in order to help improve knowledge of changes in the Earth’s climate since the start of the Industrial Revolution. The image is a fairly typical logbook image, from which the data needs to be extracted. A slightly laborious task, but worthwhile, and consquently satisfying. At the time of writing, your Editor had completed over a hundred logbooks, which have 24 barometric entries – each logbook took about two minutes. Some tasks are simpler and quicker. For details see https:// www.zooniverse.org/projects/pteleti/weather-rescue-at-sea GEORGIAN WEATHER AT SEA A question about The Kedge Anchor: Does anybody ever attempt to do the crossword? If just one member tells the Editor that they like it, it will continue because it is fun, for him. This is just a brief reminder that we intend the spring 2022 edition of The Kedge Anchor (due out mid-April 2022) to have the theme, ‘Feeding The Navy’. This will cover all matters arising from the production, delivery and consumption of comestibles and materials. In other words, feeding the men and the machines and how their ‘feed’ arrives aboard. This theme is too ambitious to be adequately covered in one edition, so we expect it to expand into the future. The only way KAcan be produced is if The 1805 Club members and their friends produce usable copy. So, please set to and prepare your article for inclusion next time. It is preferred that you let the Editor know what is coming, but he is always very happy to receive surprises.
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