3 of 6 October 2023 The 1805 Dispatches #23.05 symposium. When it started in 1973 (actually the first conference was in 1971, from which the biennial symposium evolved) there was not a more effective way than to bring all the academics together and invite audiences to attend their presentations. We do not have to do it that way these days, especially since the lessons learnt by the whole world during the COVID crisis. With modern technology we can sit in our comfortable studies/ homes/offices and ‘attend’ many kinds of presentations. But how effective is that? And why miss the opportunity for colleagues and rivals, and other aficionados, to meet up and compare notes. So, this ‘second problem’ is best solved in the same way as the first problem: all get together. I can report, from first-hand knowledge, that there is a buzz from being part of such a gathering. John Rodgaard said to me, "I feel as though I'm swimming in my own gene pool", and I could feel it, too. There is no denying that there was a distinct ‘clubby’ feeling about this year’s gathering, despite the awe-inspiring grandeur of the USNA. It was the first that I had been able to attend, and I may not have attended this time if Judy Pearson and John Rodgaard had not welcomed me as a house guest for the symposium, with the generous bonus of a few days of strenuous sightseeing and social visiting. Pete Stark must also be mentioned here, as an enthusiastic contributor to my wonderful visit to Annapolis and the area. I thank them all, together with others I met who welcomed me. I was also honoured to be invited to attend an award presentation and dinner at the Naval Order of the United States. The MNHS 2023 comprised seven Sessions, A to G, each of which had nine panels of three or four presenters followed by comments from the panel chairperson. There were 80 such presentations on the first day and 102 the next day, ranging over most aspects of naval history, though the majority concentrated on the twentieth century. There was plenty for me, though, including talks on the movement and treament of POWs, espionage and plagiarism of navy rules between nations, in our period of interest. New works by new academics, and consequently interesting and thought-provoking. No better reason for holding a symposium than to stimulate new thoughts about familiar subjects. Among the more interesting panels for me were the two panels sponsored by The 1805 Club: Session E3: Royal Navy Management of Captive Populations, 1793-1815, chaired by Ryan E Mewett, USNA and presented by Sam Cavell, Southeastern Louisiana University (1805 Club member), Cori Convertito, Key West Art & Historical Society (1805 Club member) and J Ross Dancy, USN War College (USNWC), with comments by Evan Wilson, USNWC. Session F6: Learning About Navies, chaired by John Hattendorf, USN War College (1805 Club member) and presented by Evan Wilson, USNWC, Abigail Mullen, USNA, with comments by John Hattendorf. Both these panels were riveting, but I would say that, wouldn’t I. Each of ‘our’ presenters were given a Certificate of Appreciation and offered an honorarium, though the federal employees were obliged to decline to accept the latter. On the first day of the symposium there was a Navy History Luncheon (which I missed, through registering too late - there were 450 attendees to the Symposium, but only 130 lunch covers) with a USNA Reception at the end of the day, immediately followed by the excellent McMullen Sea Power Address, so eloquently presented by Professor Andrew Lambert. His subject was the difference between nations with regard to sea power and seapower. I could not be kept away! THE CORNWALLIS MEMORIAL PLAQUE It has been decided to properly record and commemorate the work, undertaken over a decade by members of both The 1805 Club and the Milford on Sea Historical Records Society, that led to the laying of a commemorative stone plaque to Admiral Cornwallis in the grounds of St Ann’s Church, within HM Naval Dockyard, Portsmouth on 16 June 2023. After extensive investigation and evaluation it has been agreed that we will produce a supplement to accompany the spring 2024 edition of The Kedge Anchor, incorporating as much of the available material as possible, in the hope that members of both organisations will wish to retain them as a souvenir of our achievement. Much of the supplement will comprise articles and images that have been published previously, together with a more detailed report on the events of 16 June 2023, when the Cornwallis Memorial Plaque was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire together with The Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane, attended by many members of both The 1805 Club and MoSHRS. Members of both organisations have previously been invited to submit to the Editor a note of their memories from this decade and it is hoped that many, such offerings can be utilised. The final date for receipt of such copy is 1 February 2024. Above: The refreshment hall where organisations’ tables were located. Below: Typical presentation room (prior to start). Previous page: The 1805 Club table. All pix from Author
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