2 of 12 August 2023 The 1805 Dispatches #23.04 The uniform worn by Nelson at the time of his marriage in Nevis to Frances Nisbet followed the uniform prescribed in Admiralty regulations for a commander/captain between the the years 1774-87. A single specimen of this uniform survives at the NMM in Greenwich, but is likely to be from early in the period, as the ‘cut’ would be very old fashioned indeed for the late 1780’s. The new uniform was based on a pattern taken nearly thirty years ago from Lord Nelson’s extant full dress coat. The choice of this garment was very specific: of the surviving uniform coats belonging to Nelson, this is the smallest, with the Nile undress coat coming a close second. Nelson put on weight in the last few years of his life, so the choice of the smaller garment seemed a better starting point on which to base the Nevis replica. Once an accurate pattern had been cut, made up in calico and refined, this was then recut to accurately replicate the style of the 1780’s. All the materials from which the uniform was cut are authentic to the period; the superfine cloth is of the correct weight and finish for the era and although there was no set colour at that time, the shade of navy blue falls well within the range seen in portraits and surviving military and naval clothes of the time. The interior lining, which was woven in Sudbury, Suffolk, is likewise correct in both weave and colour, with reference to samples of lining fabrics of the period. All the buttons are of the correct pattern and were struck from dies commissioned for the project. These were cut using an original button from the period for reference. The gold lace used is 2% gold and was commissioned for the project, again referencing the Admiralty regulations and surviving samples. The Nevis uniform was hand sewn throughout, as the original would have been, and to the standard that one might have expected of good tailoring at that time. The hat was also made specially for Henry Poole & Co. from authentic long-hair felt. ——— Judy and John had to transport Nelson’s uniform back to the USA, en route eventually to Nevis, and how better than to transport it in style on Queen Mary II? The captain of QMII kindly invited them onto the bridge, so ‘Nelson’ had to accompany them, where Captain Aseem Hashmi joined in the fun (or was he competing?) by donning his own bicorn hat. Nelson’s Uniform and Hat Uniform tailored by Keith Levitt of Henry Poole & Co, Savile Row, London The images at the foot of this page were taken aboard QMII. NELSON’S UNIFORM For this uniform to be properly preserved, it requires an environmentally-conditioned case – hence the cost of $20,000. Contribute by going to the Club’s link found on the webpage https://www.1805club.org/ article/replica-of-nelsons-uniform
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