The 1805 Dispatches #25.02 April 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) Well! What a month this March has turned out to be, not that it came as a surprise, of course. As you will see on page 2 the culmination of seven year’s work for a number of Club members and others at The Borthwick Institute and Henry Poole and Company, with Locke & Co., occurred in Nevis. It was great fun – which is the unrecorded fourth reason for the Club’s existence. The other news flash, and the reason for the image below, was sent to us by Lorraine Ure, who said: “Sending greetings and best wishes from Menorca and the Royal Naval Chapel and Church Hall, which continues to prosper and enhance the Old RN Hospital, thanks to the generous “start in life” from the Libor Grant. We opened our doors to the whole British Community of Menorca on the Sunday after the Coronation, which was a wonderful day, and greatly supported by our Spanish colleagues led by General Luis Alejandre OBE. Also, Cape Trafalgar lighthouse and surrounding area has been given “protected status” thus disallowing any inappropriate or commercial development.” Greetings to all fellow members of The 1805 Club! We are experiencing a significant increase in activity now that we are in the throes of Spring Break here in Florida; college students crowding Cocoa Beach and immediate environs, while the two bald eaglets sitting in their nest across the street can sense the change as they screech away. It has certainly been an active time since our last conversation via The Dispatch in February. Hopefully, those members who were able to attend the events on Bermuda and Nevis have re-acclimated to their colder climes. In my lastView From The Bridge, I wrote that I had hoped the members would agree the Club was meeting your expectations. I think, that so far this year, The Club has met and exceeded your expectations. Let me explain. In February, besides The House of Lords’ Tea honouring our former Chairman Bill White, (see the previous Dispatches), the Club conducted/participated in two perennial events — The Battle of Cape StVincent Luncheon in Alexandria,Virginia and The Midshipman Dale Commemorative ceremony in Bermuda. From these events, two opportunities for the Club were discussed. During the StVincent Luncheon, Cdr Alex McMahon, USN gave the gathering a run down on the Navy’s plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the USN throughout 2025, and the US Navy’s organising a massive naval review in NewYork Harbour on 4 July 2026. This week-long celebration will include two dozen or so tall ships from around the world. Cdr McMahon encouraged our membership to participate. Specifics to follow. The second was after the Dale ceremony, when I and fellow members Cdr Nathan Bein and Dr Judy Pearson introduced ourselves to Bermuda’s recently appointed Governor General, His Excellency Andrew Murdoch. The GG is a retired Commander, Royal Navy, and we had been informed that he would like to see a Trafalgar Dinner during his time in office. We discussed the possibility of a Pickle Night type event; an event that would showcase the two Bermuda-built Pickles as the embodiment of Bermuda’s rich maritime heritage. It can be a potential fundraising avenue. We also mentioned the idea to the Friends of St Peter’s Church and the St George’s Historical Society (SGHS). Additionally, we discussed with the SGHS erecting an information board that would highlight the action between HMS Endymion and USS President. It would tell visitors about the action and Midshipman Dale. Further discussions to follow. These events were quickly followed by the two events on Nevis during the weekend of 8/9 March. The upcoming Kedge Anchor will have more information. I personally feel the events exceeded expectations, despite last-minute adjustments that required flexibility from all concerned. However, I am over the moon to report the conserved St John’s Figtree Parish Register was returned and Nelson’s captain’s uniform is now inside the environmental cabinet in the soon-to-be-opened Nevis Maritime Museum. As a follow-up to Nevis, Judy Pearson and I were invited aboard HMS Medway on Saturday 15 March. Medway is presently undergoing an engineering overhaul in Tampa, Florida. Cdr Tibbitts invited us for lunch and a walk about the ship. He apologised for not having the ship present at Nevis. We thanked him on behalf of the Club and all Nevisians for Medway sending an honour guard contingent to Nevis in lieu of the ship having to alter her plans. A change in the membership of the Club’s trustees has occurred. Our treasurer, Nicholas Ridge has resigned and has headed off on a different course. We thank him for his service as one of our stalwart volunteers. He has done much to place us on our present course. We wish him fair winds and following seas. That said, we are looking for a treasurer. On another note, I am happy to report that one of our members, Ms Natacha Abriat has Cabo Trafalgar in Cádiz, Spain Photo by JMSE (from Wikipedia)
The 1805 Dispatches #25.02 April 2025 2 of 8 agreed to become the Club’s virtual museum and library curator. Living in the south of France, Natacha brings considerable experience as a museum curator. We are looking forward to seeing her at our upcoming AGM in May. Also, one of our newest members, Mr Russ Strict, has created an 1805 Club Members’ only facebook page. Do check it out. During the period, fellow Club member, Dr Evan Wilson, US Naval War College, submitted to the US Naval Academy’s McMullen Naval History Symposium Committee an 1805 Club sponsored proposal for a three-person panel to present their papers during this year’s McMullen (September). The theme is …From the Sea: British Expeditionary and Combined Operations, 1775-1815. Also, Evan has started a blog titled Re-Reading Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey and Maturin series. He is doing this with his father. I think it is worth your time. evanmwilson@substack.com Finally, fellow member Dr John ‘Jack’ Satterfield, University of Delaware is The Club’s lead in investigating the possibility of conserving HMS DeBraak’s ship’s bell. (His report will be in the upcoming Kedge Anchor). Jack feels that it would be a very worthwhile project for the Club toundertake. As you can see much has happened since the last Dispatches. I encourage you to look at the enclosed Events Diary as there is more to come, especially now that The Club is celebrating its 35th year. I hope to see many of you at this year’s AGM. Yours aye, ST KITTS AND NEVIS Many Club members will be aware of the activities of The 1805 Club recently on the island of Nevis, but, if not, here is a hint of what happened during the weekend of 8/9 March 2025. It is only a hint because there will naturally be a big ‘splash’ in The Kedge Anchor, due out later in April. Any nonmember of the Club reading this edition of The 1805 Dispatches, if interested, is invited to contact the Editor (ka. editor@1805club.org.uk) for more information.
The 1805 Dispatches #25.02 April 2025 3 of 8 Talk on The Trafalgar Way Story Axminster Heritage Centre Thomas Whitty House, Silver Street Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AH Phone: 01297 639884 info@axminsterheritage.org Date: Wednesday 15th October at 7.30pm. Open to all – tickets from the Heritage Centre £5 – see https://axminsterheritage.org/heritage-alivetalks/ On behalf of The 1805 Club Whenever an advertisement for a event or performance that is not organised by The 1805 Club is given in The 1805 Dispatches and/or The Kedge Anchor it is only passed on as an item that may be of interest to Club members. It is NOT an endorsement of the event by the Club. In the case on the right, for details contact chris@christopherswann.co.uk After all the festivities around the unveiling of the replacement captain’s uniform on Nevis, it was quietly taken to the nearby museum and safely installed in the purpose-made, environmentally controlled display cabinet, manufactured for the Club by Xplus. As you will soon read in The Kedge Anchor, HMS Medway was scheduled to visit Nevis while we were there, but engine failure required her to proceed to Tampa, Florida for urgent repairs. Subsequently, Chairman Capt John Rodgaard ,and his wife Dr Judy Pearson, were invited to visit her whilst she was alongside. Here are some pictures from that visit, including the very important photograph of crew-member AB Hugh Duval (called ‘Robert’ by his shipmates), who joined The 1805 Club at that time, receiving his Club membership pin from his commanding officer, Cdr James Tibbitt RN. The picture on the bottom right shows a happy John Rodgaard receiving HMS Medway’s badge from SLt Nick Nash during the informal rum punch reception for the RN contingent, at The Hermitage hotel. ADVANTAGEOUS RESULTS
The 1805 Dispatches #25.02 April 2025 4 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. 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 Victoria Callow via email: Vc_financeservices@hotmail.com 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 #25.02 April 2025 5 of 8 MARINERS’ MUSEUM Member Peter Pennington sent this to us: “We had an excellent visit to the Mariners’ Museum, Hampton Roads, yesterday. David Rodearmel and his wife joined us. We looked closely at navigation instruments from a 14th C lead, an early compass, various forms of cross-staffs and then on via an astrolabe, quadrants and finally an 18th C sextant. We also examined one of the first charts to show rhumb lines. These charts are called portolan charts, portolani being the word for early sailing directions. Then we went into the art collection looking at various paintings. I noted Nelson was always keeping an eye on us as his painting was very prominent although not part of our tour. One of the most interesting paintings was by Thomas Luny showing the action between HMS Isis and the French Caesar. This took place off Sandy Hook, Connecticut in 1778. On first glance it looks as if six ships are knocking each other to pieces. In fact it is a sort of early newsreel. Starting right to left, it shows three stages of the engagement. On Saturday, 22 February, Captain John Rodgaard, Commander Nathan Bein, and Dr. Judy Pearson participated in the annual Midshipman Richard Sutherland Dale, USN, Commemoration ceremony in St. George, Bermuda. The event was hosted by the Friends of St. Peter’s Church. Other attending dignitaries were His Excellency Andrew Murdoch, Governor of Bermuda, Her Worship the Mayor of St George Quinell Francis, and Acting US Consul Vanya Vukota. Background Midshipman Dale was 20 years old and serving on the US Frigate President during the War of 1812 when she encountered a squadron of British ships on January 15, 1815. During the 15-hour engagement the young sailor was severely wounded, and his right leg was amputated; HMS Endymion captured and brought President to St. George’s Harbor. On arrival in St. George, Midshipman Dale was housed and cared for in Stennett’s Hotel, today known as Stiles House and owned by Butterfield Bank. It was here he died. His father, Commodore Richard Dale, USN, and family, were grateful for the care Midshipman Dale received in St. George and erected a large marble stone over his grave in St. Peter’s Church graveyard. Part of the inscription reads “This stone Records the tribute Of his Parents gratitude To those inhabitants of St George’s Whose generous and tender sympathy Prompted the kindest attentions To their son while living, And honoured him, While dead.” In MIDSHIPMAN DALE COMMEMORATION, BERMUDA
The 1805 Dispatches #25.02 April 2025 6 of 8 2015, under the leadership of Captain Rodgaard, the Naval Order, The 1805 Club, and the Friends of St. Peter’s Church conducted a successful fund-raising project to replace the aging marble headstone with a replica. Tragically, the naval battle which ended Midshipman Dale’s life took place after the Treaty of Ghent was signed, which ended the War of 1812, and Midshipman Dale died one week after the treaty was ratified and signed by the U.S. Senate and President James Madison. Service The annual memorialization of Midshipman Dale was initiated in 1932 by Captain Scarritt Adams USN, whose family moved to Bermuda when he was 10 years old. Captain Scarritt requested and funded the placing of a wreath on Dale’s gravestone every year on Memorial Day. After WWII members of the U.S. armed forces took part in the commemorative ceremony until the departure of the U.S. Navy from Bermuda in 1995. The event resumed in 2006 thanks to the efforts of Captain Adam’s daughter Louise Hall Reider and the Friends of St. Peter’s Church charity. This year’s ceremony began on King’s Square with the inspection of TS Admiral Somers Sea Cadet Corps by His Excellency Andrew Murdoch, Governor of Bermuda, followed by a welcome from Friends of St. Peter’s Church Chairman Gillian Outerbridge. Acting US Consul Vanya Vukota laid a wreath on behalf of The Daughters of 1812 at a plaque erected by the organization in 2018 to mark the 15 U.S. prisoners of war, (black people and white people) including Midshipman Dale, who died and were buried in Bermuda during the War of 1812. Only Dale’s grave is identifiable today. Pipe Major Emeritus David Frith and Drummer Peter Profit of the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band, and the Sea Cadet Corps, led a procession from King’s Square to St. Peter’s Church graveyard. The officiants at the graveside service were St. Peter’s Church Priest in Charge Rev’d Marie Loewen and Rev’d Canon John Stow. Governor Andrew Murdoch laid a wreath on Midshipman Dale’s grave by on behalf of Louise Hall Reider, whose father, Captain Scarritt Adams USN, first commemorated Midshipman Dale in 1932; Captain John Rodgaard, USN (Rtd) laid a wreath on behalf of The 1805 Club. Dr. Judy Pearson laid a wreath on behalf of the Naval Order of the United States. A minute’s silence was observed, and the service concluded with the British national anthem followed by the U.S. national anthem. Photos and Captions Photo 1 His Excellency Andrew Murdoch Governor of Bermuda inspects the TS Admiral Somers Sea Cadet Corps. Photo 2 The procession from King’s Square to St. Peter’s Church led by Pipe Major Emeritus David Frith and drummer Peter Profit Photo 3 Captain John Rodgaard USN lays a wreath on behalf of The 1805 Club. Photo 4 Dr. Judy Pearson lays a wreath on behalf of the Naval Order of the U.S. Photo 5 1805 Club members Captain John Rodgaard, Dr. Judy Pearson, and Commander Nathan Bein, graveside. Photo 6 Dignitaries, officiants and Sea Cadet Corps gather on the steps of St. Peter’s Church following the ceremony.
The 1805 Dispatches #25.02 April 2025 7 of 8 EVENTS DIARY DATE EVENT TITLE EVENT DESCRIPTION CLUB LEAD 17 May 2025 1805 Club AGM Club AGM with Expert Speaker Capt Michael Barritt RN. Stephen Howarth 2 Aug 2025 Battle of the Nile Luncheon Commemorate the Battle of the Nile at the Mystic Restaurant, Alexandria, Virginia Pete Stark 18-19 Sept 2025 US Naval Academy Symposium Bi-annual McMullen naval symposium at Annapolis, Maryland USA. John Rodgaard, Judy Pearson and Pete Stark 27 Sept 2025 Private Richard Masters Royal Marines Plaque Unveiling Plaque Unveiling at St Tudy, Cornwall Stephen Howarth 28 Sept 2025 Royal Marines Barracks, Stonehouse Guided Tour of 18C Pattern Barracks Stephen Howarth 15 Oct 2025 Trafalgar Way Story Talk by Kathy Brown at the Axminster Heritage Centre, Axminster Devon at 19:30. Tickets from Heritage Centre £5 - see axminsterheritage.org Kathy Brown 24 Oct 2025 1805 Club Conference: New Series 1 35th Anniversary of the Club and 220th of Trafalgar. Conference at Portsmouth Stephen Howarth 25 Oct 2025 Trafalgar Night Dinner 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 BRIXHAM MURALS Many members will recall that member Jenny Ridd has been keeping us up-to-date with developments in Brixham, where nautical murals have become a feature. Now, she has sent these images of the latest completion.
The 1805 Dispatches #25.02 April 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 Lazarette, Eleazar, Lazaret, Alteza, Azrael, Lazear, Teazel, Teazle, Tetzel, Etzel, Lazar, Leaze, Razee, Teaze, Tezel, Azle, Ezel, Ezra, Laze, Raze, Trez, Tzar, Zara, Zeal, Zeta Donkey’s Breakfast – 1. A six-foot sack filled with hay, used as a mattress by seamen in the early days. 2. Seamen’s slang for anything badly performed resulting in a mess. NAVAL TERMS THAT HAVE ‘COME ASHORE’ SHIP’S WORD WHEEL ANSWERS MEDAL SALES Member Barry Jolly first brought this medal sale to our attention, because of the interest with Peyton (top), but there was a little more going on, as reported on the website of auctioneers Noonans of Mayfair. On 11 March 2025 Noonans held an auction of Naval Medals from the collection of the late Jason Pilalas. Jason was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA and grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut. Jason assembled an incredible collection of naval medals, which he vigorously tracked down and purchased from all over the world to complement his many other nautical collecting themes. As much as Jason cherished his collection he was always mindful of the fact that he was just the custodian of these objects in his own lifetime. The important Small Naval Gold Medal awarded to Rear-Admiral John Peyton, Royal Navy, one of Nelson’s ‘Band of Brothers’ who commanded H.M.S. Defence ‘with good sense and courage’ at the battle of the Nile Captain’s (Small) Naval Gold Medal 1794-1815, for the Nile, 1 August 1798 (John Peyton Esquire Captain of H.M.S. The Defence on the 1 of August MDCCXCVIII The French Fleet Defeated) HAMMER PRICE: £40,000 The unique 2-clasp frigate action Naval General Service medal awarded to Admiral Manley Hall Dixon, Royal Navy, Master’s Mate of the Lion at the capture of the Spanish 42-gun frigate Santa Dorotea in July 1798, and Lieutenant of the Horatio at the chase and capture of the French 40-gun frigate Junon in February 1809, on which latter occasion he was severely wounded. Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Lion 15 July 1798, Horatio 10 Feby 1809 (M. H. Dixon, Lieut. R.N.) HAMMER PRICE: £22,000 The important Navarino and Arctic exploration pair awarded to Seaman John Park, Royal Navy, a member of Captain John Ross’s private expedition in the Victory of 1829-33, during which they discovered the Northern Magnetic Pole but were forced to spend four winters in the Arctic. Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Navarino (John Park.); Arctic 1818-55 (John Park from 1829 to 1833) contemporarily engraved on the edges. HAMMER PRICE: £19,000
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