The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 1 of 9 THE 1805 DISPATCHES Newsletter of The 1805 Club EDITORIAL THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE From The Chairman, Capt. John Rodgaard USN (Ret) It has been an exciting couple of months since the last edition of The 1805 Dispatches. We have had our Trafalgar Night Dinner, at HMS Nelson Wardroom, in Portsmouth, and there have been others involving Club members, together with a number of Pickle Night Dinners. Some of us who are fortunate to be attending the presentation of the St John Figree Tree Parish Register, and the unveiling of the replacement Nelson uniform, in St Kitts & Nevis, have fixed up our flights and accommodation already. It’s not too late if you want to, and are able to, join us there, but it is suggested that you do not drag your heels, as ticket prices have started to change already (there are so many of us suddenly wanting airline tickets!). But all that is as nothing, compared to what is coming up early next year. And for your Editor it has been exciting settling into a new (very old) cottage in a tiny village, the residents of which have been very welcoming. Holiday greetings, fellow members and friends of The 1805 Club, By the time you receive this edition of the 1805 Dispatches, many of you will be busy with your preparations for the holiday season. It is a time for family, a time for good cheer and a time for reflection as well. This edition certainly shows the season of good cheer and reflection has already arrived; Trafalgar and Pickle Night dinners, and commemorations at St Paul’s Cathedral and aboard HMS Victory were standouts. I am truly excited about The Club’s efforts this year as we have two projects that have reached the next phase in their development prior to being completed early next year. The display case that will hold the replica of Nelson’s captains’ uniform and his tricorn hat was delivered to Nevis during the summer. It awaits assembly and the arrival of the uniform. The unveiling of the uniform in its display case is scheduled for Sunday 9 March 2025. Coinciding with the uniform project, I am happy to report the St John Figtree Parish Register (1729-1825) has been conserved and it will soon be digitized and rebound. The register, a digital copy and a hardbound facsimile will be officially returned to the parish on the same day as the uniform unveiling. As you can see by the date, both ceremonies will be on Sunday 9 March 2025. The tentative order of the ceremonies is as follows: At St John Figtree Church 3pm – 3:30pm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_John_Figtree_Parish • Welcome and opening remarks by chairperson • Overview and historical significance of the certificate to the parish/church, Devon Liburd • Overview on the preservation process by The Borthwick Institute, Alison Fairburn • Presentation of the certificate by The Borthwick Institute/1805 Club • Blessing of the case and certificate by Canon Vyphuis • Unveiling of the case by the Deputy Governor General – Hyleeta Liburd • Group Photo • Vote of Thanks conveyed by Shana Howell At Government House 4:15pm – 7pm https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidstanleytravel/49852673301 • Welcome of guests by NHCS board member • Brief remarks by NHCS board President …Richard Lupinacci • Brief Remarks by Capt. Rodgaard 1805 Club Chairman • Unveiling of the uniform by the Governor General • Cultural dance by the Masquerade/String band • Group Photo • Vote of thanks offered by NHCS member • Reception Several members from the UK and the US will be attending. If any of you wish to visit Nevis to attend the ceremonies and have a Caribbean break, please contact me directly, as I can advise you on travel and lodging arrangements at john_rodgaard@yahoo.com ➤ Wreath Laying at St Paul’s Cathedral. See page 6
The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 2 of 9 For us to have got this far with the two projects is a tribute to our members and friends of The 1805 Club. Not only did you provide financial support for the purchase of the uniform display case and the hardbound facsimiles of the parish register, but my thanks go out to the Borthwick Institute for conserving the register gratis and for Mr. Keith Levitt at Henry Poole & Co of Savile Row, London, who fabricated the uniform and hat, the latter made gratis for the Club by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Looking at the enclosed Events Diary, I hope you will agree with me that 2025 holds considerable promise for The Club. The success that we hope to achieve next year is due to the dedication of my fellow trustees, council members and project managers. I thank them for another good year, and I look forward to working with them in 2025. Finally, I wish to offer all of you my very best wishes during this festive season and may 2025 bring you and your family happiness, good health and success in all you do. I hope to see many of you around the waterfront next year. Yours aye, ST JOHN FIGTREE PARISH REGISTER & THE BORTHWICK INSTITUTE THE 1805 CLUB SUBSCRIPTION RATES We have news which we believe will be welcome for members of The 1805 Club. With effect from 1 January 2025, the subscription rate for individual membership of the Club will rise – but not to the anticipated £60.00 a year, which was agreed at the Club’s AGM in May 2023. Instead, the new subscription rate for individual membership will be a more modest £50.00 a year. Moreover, this rate will be held for three years (20252027). It will be reviewed at the AGM in 2027, without increase until 1 January 2028. The original planned increase was to help generate the income necessary for the anticipated expansion of the Club’s core costs due to new projects, such as the development of a virtual museum, which will require a part-time curator. We have not changed those exciting plans, but two important factors – one negative and one positive – have emerged to influence our decision. The negative one is the ‘cost of living’ crisis, an unpleasant reality. We do not wish to make things more difficult financially for any of our members. On the contrary, we want all our members to continue enjoying their membership, and we want to encourage new members to join. The highly positive one is the welcome generosity of Club members in support of Club projects, recently and notably including the Nevis projects. We will invite all members to contribute financial support to future projects and publications, and will give public recognition to such support and sponsorship. On behalf of the Trustees, thank you for your continued support to The 1805 Club and its mission — a global community of enthusiasts and scholars promoting the history and heritage of the Georgian era’s maritime world and its legacy to the modern seafaring world. Recently, John Rodgaard, Judy Pearson and Stephen Howarth paid another visit to The Borthwick Institute at York University, to meet with Conservator Alison Fairburn and see the progress with restoration of the Figtree parish Register, which is scheduled to be returned to Nevis in March 2025 (see Events Diary).
The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 3 of 9 THE TRAFALGAR DINNER UK 2024 Our Club’s Trafalgar Night Dinner was held on 19 October this year, at HMS Nelson Wardroom in Portsmouth, UK. It was well attended and we were very pleased to have Councillor Jason Fazackerley, Lord Mayor of the City of Portsmouth as our Guest of Honour. (Councillor Fazackerley appears again on page 4 of this edition of TD). It was also nice that Bill White was present, who will not mind my pointing out that he is 89 years old, in contrast to Club member Canadian-born Londoner [London, Ontario], William McLachlan at 26 years old. Bill White is also mentioned in our Events Diary on page 7 – an event that no members will want to miss.
The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 4 of 9 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. 6 = Average; 8 = Good; 10 = V Good; 12+ = Amazing! Answers on last page Remember that there is a whole treasure trove here https://www.facebook.com/ The1805Club/ RECRUITMENT OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS Founded in 1990, The 1805 Club is an international charitable organisation that commemorates and educates about the history and heritage of the age of sail, during the Georgian era (1714-1837), and the influence this period has played on the maritime world up through the present day. It is registered to the Charity Commission for England and Wales as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), number 1201272. As a CIO the Club has an urgent need for two important honorary positions to be filled. One is for Treasurer and the other is for someone to determine Club policy on marketing, fundraising and advertising. The Treasurer role is predominantly one of advising the Club on essential accountancy and tax matters, and he/she is supported by a very capable assistant. The Club must demonstrate to the Charity Commissioners that its members are contributing to the Club’s charitable projects, and are not simply enjoying the benefits of being a member. This means that fundraising must be even more seriously addressed than hitherto. We therefore invite members with experience of these matters (and some spare time, as well as the wish to actively help!) to put their names forward for possible inclusion in a voluntary committee with the power to reorganise such Club activities. This invitation is open to all members, because under our new Constitution, members and Chairs of such committees do not have to be Trustees of the Club. For further information on the Treasurer position, please contact Nicholas Ridge via email: treasurer@1805club.org for the marketing position please contact Kathy Brown via email: kathy.1805club@gmail.com The 1805 Club is a club, the clue is in the name. But what all of us must remember is that the Club is a charity, originally created to finding memorials to past naval personnel of the long Georgian period and to try our best to ensure that they be properly remembered. To further this end we also encourage and support research into naval history and find ways to improve its education. None of this is cheap if it is to be done well, and ‘done well’ is the only way to do things. In common with all other charities, we can only fully carry out our promises if we can raise enough funds to do so. In future publications you will see a reminder that there are ways to make a donation, whenever you might find a bit of surplus cash, together with ways to purchase merchandise and secondhand books that have been kindly donated to the Club for the very purpose of fundraising. Give at our main website: http://1805club.org/ or use these links: For the Flagship Fund go to http://bit.ly/ 1805ClubFlagshipFund or for The Trafalgar Way go to http://thetrafalgarway.org/ For our shop, try https://www.1805club.org/shop, or click on one of the images opposite . . . Nelson Portrait At His Desk on Victory £100 Used Books £10 each Past copies of Trafalgar Chronicle £15 each The Trafalgar Way Official Storymap £19.99 Club Ties £35 each Nelson Portrait No.2 £100 (Both portraits by Jessica Turgoose) SOLD OUT
The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 5 of 9 THE TRAFALGAR DINNER USA 2024 1805 Club Members Attend Trafalgar Night Dinner Sponsored by British Officers Club of Washington DC The British Officers Club of Washington DC held their annual Trafalgar Night Dinner at the Country Club of Fairfax in Virginia the evening of 20 October 2024. As always, BOC President and 1805 Club member Peter Pennington arranged for an excellent evening of good food, conversation, music and dancing. Other 1805 Club members attending included John Prevar, David Mattingly, John Schneider, Pete Stark, and Jeremy Utt. The 1805 Club’s display table held a diorama with Chairman John Rodgaard’s small ships arranged to show the position of the British and Combined French and Spanish fleets as they engaged in battle at approximately noon, 21 October 1805. The table also displayed the latest issue of The Trafalgar Chronicle research journal and issues of The Kedge Anchor magazine. [Note: This is not an event of The 1805 Club, though some of our members enjoyed the participation.] A CANADIAN PICKLE NIGHT 2024 We were sent this by Mr. Gurth M. Pretty, Master of the Cheese at Lakeview Cheese Galore, Mississauga, Ontario: “With HMS Psyche Canadian Maritime Heritage Society's longboat in winter storage at the Port Credit Yacht Club, her first mate, Gurth Pretty, arranged for the club to be converted to a stone frigate for the Society's seventh annual HMS Pickle Dinner on 9 November. There were 47 attendees, many of whom were active or retired Royal Canadian Navy and army officers, War of 1812 naval and army re-enactors, attired in their period uniforms and dress. Naval enthusiasts also attended the commemorative dinner. The customary procedures were observed: the saying of grace, a naval benediction and toasts. Many toasts: The King, all seven daily navy toasts, and of course the Immortal Memory. It was a very pleasurable, fun-filled evening with lively conversation and good food (beef short ribs and spotted dick steamed pudding), not to mention drink including Grog and Nelson's Blood. We owe a debt of gratitude to Gurth and the commodore of P.C.Y.C. for making a most enjoyable evening possible.” [Note: This also is not an event of The 1805 Club, though three of our members enjoyed it, and it is included purely as a courtesy to them.]
The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 6 of 9 The General Order was read by Captain Neil Downing RD, RN: “The almighty God whose arm is strength, having of his great mercy been pleased to crown the exertion of His Majesty's Fleet with success in giving them a complete victory over their enemies on the 21" of this month; and that all praise and thanksgiving may be offered up to the throne of Grace for the great benefits of our country and mankind, I have thought proper that a day shall be appointed of general humiliation before God, and thanksgiving for his divine mercy and his constant aid to us in the defence of our country’s liberties and laws, without which the utmost efforts of man are nought, and direct therefore that a day shall be appointed for this holy purpose.” Issued by Admiral Lord Collingwood on board the frigate Euryalus, off Cape Trafalgar, 22 October 1805 The Bidding followed, given by The Reverend Canon Philip Banks, Precentor, Canon in Residence; Nelson's Prayer was then read by POC William Wooler, South West Area Sea Cadets, after which The Canon in Residence gave a brief address, followed by The Lord’s Prayer, The Naval Prayer, the Wreath Laying [that of The 1805 Club, laid by Ed.] and the Blessing given by The Canon in Residence. After the ceremony, a wreath was laid at the tomb of AdmiralThe Lord Collingwood. And then those who could went to lunch. Member David Buttery posted on Facebook: “I'm rather pleased with my photos of this cannon in the sunset on the banks of the River Yare. It's an 18th century gun that was used as a fence post at the arsenal over the river as many were. The adjacent plaque [not shown], says it was rescued, restored and placed here on a replica gun carriage made by local students.” WREATH TO NELSON LAID AT ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL WREATH TO NELSON LAID ABOARD HMS VICTORY The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of the City of Portsmouth, with the Consort of Lady Mayoress, were present on board HMS VICTORY for the wreath-laying there. Club members present included Stephen Howarth, trustee Kate Jamieson, and her father Andrew Jamieson (who designed the Coronation Invitation). The band was excellent and toeing the line of RN Commodores came good – after instruction. The image on the far right shows good progress at the current stage in the longterm repairs of Victory.
The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 7 of 9 The 1805 Club has a long-standing relationship with the Admiral Lord Nelson School, Portsmouth, UK (ALNS). ALNS is a secondary school with about 1,000 students aged 11-16. Ever since the school’s establishment in 1995, the Club has sponsored an annual ‘Special Award for Personal Endeavour in Overcoming Adversity’, qualities which Horatio Nelson displayed throughout his life. This year’s recipient, 16-year-old RAHA MORTAZAIE-FAR, was presented with the trophy on Thursday 28 November 2024. A full account, including the impressive and touching citation written by the school, will appear in the next issue of The Kedge Anchor. The 1805 Club is proud to maintain this well-established and steady association. Photo credit: Naomi Hillyard, ALNS. ADMIRAL LORD NELSON SCHOOL ST TUDY & PADSTOW, CORNWALL Stephen Howarth recently visited the parish of St Tudy in Cornwall, to discuss with members of the St Tudy Historical Society (https://www.sttudyhistorygroup. co.uk) our joint project for a plaque commemorating 21-year-old Private Richard Masters, Royal Marines, who came from the village and was killed at Trafalgar. In Padstow, Stephen also checked on the condition of the grave of Captain Richard Retallick, which the Club worked on in 2011. Its inscription is now badly worn and the Club will consider installing a plaque.
The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 8 of 9 EVENTS DIARY DATE EVENT TITLE EVENT DESCRIPTION CLUB LEAD 3 Feb 2025 Bill White’s Club Lifetime Achievement Award Afternoon Tea House of Lords Stephen Howarth 8 Feb 2025 Battle of Cape St. Vincent Lunch Commemoration of the Battle of Cape St. Vincent with discussion of battle, in Alexandria, Virginia Pete Stark 22 Feb 2025 Midshipman Dale Ceremony, St. Peter’s Church, St. George’s Bermuda This annual wreathlaying ceremony commemorates the last USN officer to die during the War of 1812 John Rodgaard Judy Pearson Capt Alan Brooks Jarion Richardson MP 8/9 Mar 2025 Return of St. John Figtree Parish Register, Nevis The conserved parish register will be returned in a formal ceremony to St. John’s Figtree Church Parish John Rodgaard Judy Pearson Stephen Howarth Aevril Walters 8/9 Mar 2025 Unveiling of the replica of Nelson’s Captains uniform and tricorn hat. The replica of Nelson’s Captains’ uniform and tricorn hat will be unveiled jointly with The Nevis Historical and Conservation Society John Rodgaard Pete Stark Judy Pearson Richard Lupinacci 17 May 2025 The 1805 Club AGM Expert Speaker: Captain Michael Barritt, RN The Army & Navy Club (The Rag) Stephen Howarth 18-19 Sept 2025 US Naval Academy Symposium McMullen Biannual Naval History Symposium at Annapolis, Maryland USA. John Rodgaard Judy Pearson Pete Stark 27 Sep 2025 Private Richard Masters Royal Marines Plaque Unveiling Plaque Unveiling St. Tudy, Cornwall Stephen Howarth 28 Sep 2025 Royal Marines Barracks Stonehouse Guided Tour of 18C Pattern barracks Stephen Howarth 24 Oct 2025 1805 Club Conference: New Series 1 35th Anniversary of the Club and 220th of Trafalgar, Portsmouth Stephen Howarth 25 Oct 2025 Trafalgar Night Dinner Portsmouth TND at HMS Nelson Wardroom, Guest of Honour Matthew Sheldon, CEO NMRN Stephen Howarth 2025 Visit to Haslar RN Hospital and Buckler’s Hard Club visit to these fascinating historical sites Stephen Howarth
The 1805 Dispatches #24.06 December 2024 9 of 9 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 in The Kedge Anchor, the six-monthly 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 timespeci�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! 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 sailingnavy era; and ·Organises relevant cultural, historical and social events. The Club is charity No. 1201272, registered in England and Wales. Individuals desiring further information may contact: Stephen Howarth, Hon. Club Secretary, The 1805 Club Shelton, Notts, UK Email: secretary@1805club.org For a membership application form please contact: Dr Sue Carr, Hon. Membership Secretary, The 1805 Club London, UK Email: membership.secretary@1805club.org Or: Harold E (Pete) Stark, Hon US Secretary, The 1805 Club Annapolis, MD, USA Email: the.americas.membership.secretary@1805club.org Telephone: 410-269-9760 (mobile) Or: Mark Billings, Hon Canadian Secretary, The 1805 Club Montreal, Quebec, Canada Email: canadian.membership.secretary@1805club.org Telephone: 1-514-296-1641 Peter Turner, Editor of The Kedge Anchor Aldeburgh, Suffolk, UK Email: ka.editor@1805club.org Telephone: +(44) 7903 251008 Trafalgar Argala, tragal, argal, graal, graft, agar, alga, flag, frag, gala, gart, raga. Knocked Into A Cocked Hat – Navigators would try to mark three bearings on a chart, which inevitably resulted in slight errors that ended up with a triangular space in which the ship was (hopefully) located. It was called a ‘cocked hat’ from its similarity to the officers’ hats and, if someone was knocked into a cocked hat it meant they would not know quite where they were. NAVAL TERMS THAT HAVE ‘COME ASHORE’ SHIP’S WORD WHEEL ANSWERS With no connection to anything else, just for fun, the image left was sent by Barry Scrutton, from Memphis, Tennessee. The image right, from Getty Images, was straight off the Internet, to fill the gap.
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