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
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