The 1805 Dispatches #25.06 December 2025 2 of 10 Langar Hall with a visit the nearby Church of St Andrew which holds the tomb of Admiral Lord Howe. Stephen has done much over the years to strengthen the Club’s relationship with Earl Howe and Countess Howe, as well as establishing a relationship with the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, who represents the King [The Earl Howe is now a Club Member. Ed.] As an association for scholars and enthusiasts of the Georgian sailing world, The Club saw a marked uptick in the Club’s scholastic and education initiatives in 2025. In August, fellow members Natacha Abriat and Captain Michael Barritt presented papers at the ‘Mare Nostrum’ conference at the Université Paul-Valéry in Montpelier, France. In September, The Club sponsored two three-person panels who presented their papers at the USN Academy’s bi-annual McMullen Naval History Symposium. By the fact that each panel attracted standing room only gives an indication of the level of interest in the Georgian era sailing world. The McMullen’s success was followed a month later on 24 October with the Club’s own successful naval history conference. Congratulations to Stephen Howarth for gathering such talented historians to speak at the Princess Royal Gallery, National Museum of the Royal Navy. We can definitely see another such event regularly in the future. Of course, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the Trafalgar Night Dinner held at HMS Nelson Wardroom, Portsmouth. We received many kudos by those in attendance — ‘best ever’! I think the photos found in this edition will convey the success for both the dinner and the conference. Finally, the year demonstrated the Club’s original raison d’etre — conservation. The parish register, conserved by Alison Fairburn of The Borthwick Institute, was returned to the parishioners of St John’s Figtree Anglican Church, Nevis. This event was followed by the unveiling of the replica of Nelson’s captain’s uniform and tricorn hat that he wore at his wedding. Many thanks to Mr Keith Levett, Director, Henry Poole & Co of Savile Row, who fabricated the uniform, gratis. It presently resides in the newly renovated Nevis Maritime Museum. Conservation again came front and centre in September with the unveiling of a plaque commemorating a Royal Marine, Pte Richard Masters of St Tudy Cornwall, who was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar. I realise that I have left out quite a bit, but you can find much more in past Dispatches. I hope you have an opportunity to go through them again. With 2025 coming to an end, I wish to convey to my fellow Trustees and Associate Members my heartfelt thank you for all that you have done to make this year a year to remember in the Club’s history. To all my fellow 1805ers, I wish you every happiness, good health and success in your endeavours for 2026. See you quayside. Yours aye, TRAFALGAR NIGHT DINNER 2025 Trafalgar Night Dinner was, as usual, held in HMS NELSON Wardroom. The drinks reception, book and shop sale, raffle, fireworks and conversations were even better than our usual experience at these events. Here a page and a half of pictures, for those unfortunate enough to miss it. (The top panorama is taken from our increasingly popular Facebook page.)
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