The 1805 Dispatches #25.01 February 2025 1 of 8 THE 1805 DISPATCHES Newsletter of The 1805 Club EDITORIAL THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE From The Chairman, Capt. John Rodgaard USN (Ret) We have reached February already, but it will not stop me wishing all our readers a Happy New Year. The hectic (for some) Christmas holidays seem a long time ago, but as this is being written it’s just a couple of weeks. Keen-eyed readers will see that TD has been slightly delayed this time, in order that we may report on the 90th birthday tea treat given to past Chairman, Bill White, as you will see on page 2, etc. One incident will demonstrate your Editor’s ways, that will be no surprise to those that know him. John Curtis delivered a package of boaoks to him, which he forgetfully left behind at the House of Lords. With help from The Earl Howe, it was recovered the next aday, and had only been a little bit exploded by the security people. Our Chairman, John Rodgaard, also spotted an interesting website and blog that we have featured on page 6. Ideal for many researchers into naval history. Yes, I know. I am a little late in wishing my fellow members and friends of The 1805 Club a Happy New Year. Just the same, I do wish all my very best for 2025, and that the first weeks of this year have met your expectations for happiness, good health and success in your individual endeavours. Now, with the New Year comes t,he Club’s first 1805 Dispatches. I think you will agree with me the Club is meeting expectations, especially as it concerns the two major projects that are in the final stages of completion – The return of the conserved St John’s Figtree Parish register (1729-1825) and the delivery of the replica of Nelson’s Captain’s uniform and tricorn hat. Both will be delivered to Nevis in official ceremonies. I am happy to report the Royal Navy will also be participating. The River-class offshore patrol vessel, HMS Medway P223, which is currently operating in the Caribbean, has been tasked to support the ceremonies. Both ceremonies will be held on Sunday 9 March. The first involves the return of the conserved register and two facsimile copies to the historic St John’s Figtree Church. The unveiling of the replica of Nelson’s captain’s uniform will follow at the Deputy Governor General’s residence at Government House. As of this writing, a dozen members, friends of the Club and representatives from the Borthwick Institute, York University will be attending the ceremonies. The next issue of the Dispatches, together with the first 2025 issue of the Kedge Anchor magazine will present the results of the ‘Nevis Project’. The Club also plans to publish a book on the register and uniform. Prior to the Nevis events, my wife, Dr Judy Pearson, Cdr Nathan Bein, USN Ret, and I will be travelling to Bermuda to represent The 1805 Club at the annual wreath-laying ceremony for Midshipman Richard Sutherland Dale, USN at St Peter’s Church yard, St George’s on Saturday 22 February. Dale was the last US Navy officer to die in the War of 1812, when his frigate, USS President (44) was captured by a Royal Navy squadron, led by HM Frigate Endymion (40). This will mark 220 years since the young midshipman succumbed on Bermuda to his grievous wounds suffered during the battle. You can see in the pages in this edition of The 1805 Dispatches, that on 3 February, members and friends of The 1805 Club met at the House of Lords to honour the Club’s immediate past chairman, Bill White. We gathered to Birthday Boy, Bill White Photo by Paul Dalton ➤ Above – St John’s Figtree Parish Church Below – Government House, Nevis Photos Dr J Pearson
The 1805 Dispatches #25.01 February 2025 2 of 8 thank him for the many years that he has dedicated to the Club, and coincidentally it was Bill’s 90th birthday. Bill took the helm as chairman after the untimely death of our beloved chairman Peter Warwick. Not only did Bill steady the helm, but his vision did much to influence the Club’s future course; a course that unabashedly makes it known that The 1805 Club is the one international naval history charity that is dedicated to the promotion of the history and legacy of the age of sail during the Georgian era. It was an honour to be able to attend and to tell Bill this in person. Looking at the enclosed Events Diary, there is a great deal planned. I hope you will agree with me that 2025 holds considerable promise, especially as 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of The 1805 Club. The success that we hope to achieve this year and in the out years is due to the dedication of my fellow trustees, council members and project managers. Thank you all for your commitment and dedication. I look forward to working with all again this year. Finally, I do hope that 2025 has started off well for all of you and your family. I hope to see many of you around the waterfront this year. Yours aye, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR BILL WHITE The Rt. Hon. The Earl Howe GBE PC (a good friend and honorary member) invited us all to a Prosecco Afternoon Tea in the Cholmondeley Room, House of Lords, marking The 1805 Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award to, and the 90th birthday of, Bill White. Recently joined members may be unaware that Bill has been a most splendid and influential Chairman, serving as John Rodgaard’s immediate predecessor. Tables for eighty guests were occupied primarily by Club members together with one from Bill’s other club, the London Corinthian Sailing Club, and sixteen from the Society for Nautical research and neighbours and friends. The Club President, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB DL, attended, as did Chairman Captain John Rodgaard USN Ret, who crossed the Atlantic with his wife, Dr Judy Pearson, for the event. As this publication is digital, it has been decided to use many of the pictures taken by our official photographer, Club member Paul Dalton, and a fuller article will appear in the spring edition of The Kedge Anchor.
The 1805 Dispatches #25.01 February 2025 3 of 8 It is not possible to name everybody in all the photographs, nor is it possible, from the nature of such an event, to ensure that every single person is featured, So we have shown an image of each of the eight tables of ten tea-mates. The only table whose number is not visible is number 8, which is at the bottom right, as you would expect, given that number 1 is at the top left. Apologies to those of you not shown – who must take the next Club event to correct this. On page 2 the images, clockwise from top left, show: Bill and Sheila White, with The Earl Howe and Marianne Howarth in the background – Stephen Howarth introducing the event – The Earl Howe – John Rodgaard – Sir Jonathon Band and – Bill White thanking us all.
The 1805 Dispatches #25.01 February 2025 4 of 8 UPDATE ON NEVIS PROJECT By Dr Judy Pearson On Monday, 3 February, I had the pleasure and honour to meet with His Excellency Dr. Kevin M. Isaac, High Commissioner to the UK for St Kitts and Nevis at Kensington Court, London. I briefed him about The 1805 Club and the two Nevis projects: the conservation of the St John’s Figtree Church register and the replica of Nelson’s captain’s uniform, which will be donated to the Nevis Maritime Museum. I told him about The 1805 Club’s connection with the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society and the events that will take place on Nevis on 9 March. Dr Isaak was most gracious, saying he was happy to know the information and would inform his colleagues. In addition to his long career in the diplomatic service, he is also a poet – and he gave me a book of his poetry! THE TRAFALGAR WAY AT WHITCHURCH SILK MILL Look lively, Club members, and anyone else who wants to come! Kathy Brown will tell the story of the historic journey from Falmouth to the Admiralty made by Lt John Lapenotiere in November 1805. He was bringing the official news of Britain’s victory in the Battle of Trafalgar, but with news of the death in action of Lord Nelson. After sailing into Falmouth in HMS Pickle, he embarked on the 271-mile journey, which took him across the country from Cornwall to London. He passed through Whitchurch during his journey. All tickets must be booked in advance. In aid of Living Weaving Heritage at the Mill. Please note tea and coffee will be available for donation. Doors open at 6.30pm. Photograph by kind permission of kind permission of the 1805 Club. (c) Paul Clarke https://whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/event/trafalgar-waytalk/ 1805 CLUB MEMBERS ATTEND PEARL HARBOR COMMEMORATIVE DINNER IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA Experience gained in the navies of the Georgian period influence naval actions today, so eight 1805 Club members attended this year’s Naval Order Pearl Harbor Commemorative Dinner held at the Fairfax Country Club in Fairfax, Virginia. December 7, 2024 marked the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 1941. Each year the National Capital Commandery of the Naval Order of the US honours this event and its historical significance. All eight Club members hold dual membership in both the Naval Order and The 1805 Club. The evening’s activities consisted of cocktails, the singing of the national anthem, an invocation, dinner, a guest speaker, a toast, a benediction, and the emcee wishing everyone a safe trip home. Mr. Peter Pennington, 1805 Club member, was responsible for the venue and managed the audio-visual presentations. Club members Judy Pearson, John Rodgaard, and David Mattingly were on the planning committee. 1805 Club members at the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Dinner: L – R - Peter Pennington, John Prevar, John Rodgaard, Judy Pearson, Jeff Johnson, David Mattingly, and Ralph Day. Not shown: Nathan Bein.
The 1805 Dispatches #25.01 February 2025 5 of 8 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. 11 = Average; 14 = Good; 16 = V Good; 20+ = 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 #25.01 February 2025 6 of 8 THE A–Z OF THE ROYAL NAVY CAPTAINS’ LETTERS For members of our Club, and anyone else interested in ‘our’ subject, this is a live link to a website (part of The UK National Archive) and blog well worth using — https://blog. nationalarchives.gov.uk/the-a-z-of-the-royalnavy-captains-letter-project-b-and-c/?utm_ source=e-shot&utm_medium=email&utm_ campaign=Weekly+newsletter+-+23.01.25 In their latest blog they report on progress so far, as follows: “The A–Z of the Royal Navy Captains’ letter project – ‘B’ and ‘C’ Wednesday 22 January 2025 | Bruno Pappalardo |Archives and archivists, Records and research | 4 comments This is the second in a series of blogs charting the progress of the Royal Navy Captains’ letters project. This project is being undertaken by a fantastic group of volunteers working to catalogue 564 boxes of Royal Navy Captains’ letters of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1793– 1815), making them keyword and date searchable on The National Archives’ catalogue, Discovery. In an earlier blog, I reported the completion of this work regarding Captains whose surnames begin with the letter ‘A’ for the document references, ADM 1/1448-1456. I am pleased to report the completion of the work for surnames ‘B’ and ‘C’ in the boxes ADM 1/1508-1561 (B) and ADM 1/1618-1669 (C) amounting to 24,939 letters and 7,921 enclosures. In this blog, I’ll go through some of the information and stories we’ve recently found. In it I make reference to letters which refer to some naval practices of the time that are not appropriate today, but that reflect the period. William Bligh Among these documents can be found 215 letters by William Bligh (1754–1817),who is perhaps best remembered as the commanding officer during the infamous mutiny on HMS Bounty in 1789. However, during his career Bligh served with and witnessed the killing on 14 February 1779 of the famous explorer James Cook by Hawaiian natives, was present at the Battle of Dogger Bank (5 August 1781) and served at the relief of Gibraltar in 1782. During 1791–1793, when in command of HMS Providence, he sailed to the Society Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean, mainly to take breadfruit plants to West Indian colonies. He became embroiled in further mutinies on HMS Defiance in October 1795 and the Nore Mutiny of October 1796. He then was present at the Battle of Copenhagen (2 April 1801), in command of HMS Glatton. As Captain of HMS Warrior in 1805, following a court martial, Bligh was reprimanded for his tyrannous behaviour and language to a fellow officer. In 1806, Bligh was appointed Governor of New South Wales but was deposed by a coup d’etat, the so-called Rum Rebellion, conducted by the New South Wales Corps unhappy with Bligh’s conduct, reforms and attempts to prevent the illegal trafficking of goods. Bligh eventually reached the rank of Vice Admiral in 1814 and died aged 63 in London. Etc., etc.” (One of Bligh’s letters is illustrated above) William Bligh’s letter on 20 August 1798. Catalogue reference: ADM 1/1518/253 folios 430-433
The 1805 Dispatches #25.01 February 2025 7 of 8 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’s 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 Averil Walters 8/9 Mar 2025 Unveiling of the replica of Nelson’s Captain’s uniform and tricorn hat. The replica of Nelson’s Captain’s uniform and tricorn hat will be unveiled jointly with The Nevis Historical and Conservation Society John Rodgaard Pete Stark Judy Pearson Richard Lupinacci May 2025 Dates TBD Possible Meet & Greet the Chairman Local members invited to meet Captain John Rodgaard. (See note below Events Diary) TBD 17 May 2025 The 1805 Club AGM Expert Speaker: Captain Michael Barritt, RN The Army & Navy Club (The Rag) Stephen Howarth 1 Jun 2025 Glorious First of June Commemoration Blessing of Admiral Lord Howe’s tomb plus lunch at Langar Hall 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 Possible Club visit to these fascinating historical sites To Be Decided MEET & GREET THE CHAIRMAN When Captain John Rodgaard and Dr Judy Pearson come to the UK for the AGM, they make a practice of visiting their family in Norfolk, and visiting other regions when possible. This time your Editor is hoping they will divert to visit his local pub for lunch – The White Lion, Ufford (https://uffordwhitelion.co.uk) Club members and their friends who live within reach of these informal events are welcome. Watch this space for more details as the itinerary is resolved.
The 1805 Dispatches #25.01 February 2025 8 of 8 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 Ufford, Suffolk, UK Lightship, lightish, ship-it, pistil, plight, slight, spilth, light, sigil, slept, spilt, split, gilt, hili, hilt, lisp, list, pili, silt, slip, slit, tile Cleat - 1. A device of wood or metal with two arms, fixed at various places around the ship, to which falls or other ropes can be made fast by taking it in turns around the arms. 2. Wooden wedges on the yards to prevent sail earrings from slipping off, hence Cleats – Seamen’s’ expression for big ears. (With a nod and thanks to Walt Disney Productions) NAVAL TERMS THAT HAVE ‘COME ASHORE’ SHIP’S WORD WHEEL ANSWERS Another discovery is the website of the Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health, under the umbrella of the Australian Military Medicine Association. https://jmvh.org/article/georgian-naval-warfareships-and-medicine-1714-1815/ A taste of this website can be appreciated from this extract . . . “Introduction Previous articles in this series describe the development of a cycle from prehistory to the end of the Elizabethan period, whereby increasing trade necessitated larger and more efficient ships to transport merchandise and better weapons to defend or attack them, thereby facilitating further trading oppor-tunities. However, it was not until the 18th century that Western medicine had developed sufficiently for its role as an enabler of this cycle to be recognised, thereby making possible—among other things—the European settlement of Australia. While the technical developments in ships, weapons and medicine often developed independently in multiple regions worldwide, they remained closely linked throughout Western history. This article continues this series by describing the developments in naval warfare, ships and medicine during the British Georgian period from 1714 to 1815. An article filling the gap in this series regarding the Stuart period (16031714) has been submitted for publishing in due course. Georgian naval warfare By 1714, England (Great Britain following its union with Scotland in 1707) had been at war with France more-or-less continuously for 25 years. These and the long and costly conflicts that followed were largely funded by Britain’s transoceanic maritime trade, which had begun with the establishment of the East India Company in 1600, followed by the acquisition of colonies in North America from 1607 and the Caribbean from 1655. English victories at sea during the 1690s limited French access to its own colonies from the Atlantic, while the capture of Gibraltar in 1704 did likewise from the Mediterranean. This meant Britain could further expand its trade, thereby funding its wartime armies and those of its European allies while simultaneously bankrupting their opponents. Despite losing its American colonies in 1783, Britain used this strategy to maintain its economic and maritime supremacy from 1815 until the early 1900s.7 However, this would not have been possible without finally controlling the occasionally universal rates of what would now be referred to as Disease and NonBattle Injuries (DNBI) that had been experienced by the English and their Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French competitors since the mid-to-late 15th century.” GEORGIAN NAVAL WARFARE, SHIPS AND MEDICINE 1714–1815 By Neil Westphalen
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