THE KEDGE ANCHOR SPRING 2025 1 SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Tribute to Jeremy Eddon 4 Nevis–Intro. 7 Nevis–Background 8 Nevis–Ceremonies 9 Nevis–Speech 12 Nevis–Holiday 14 Bill White– Re�lections 16 Bill White’s HOLT 17 Shipboard Music 24 ALNS Award 26 Thomas Slade 27 Metric System – US 28 Consul John Mitchell 32 Swords from HMS Royal George 33 Visit to DeBraak 36 Nearly Nelson 37 INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE KEDGE ANCHOR THE MAGAZINE OF THE 1805 CLUB Issue 63 SPRING 2025 Chairman’s Address 2 Secretary’s Report 3 Crossword 5 Job Announcements 6 Fund Raising 6 Events Diary 6 AB&OS 15 New Members 20 Book Reviews 21 Everybody Knows… 38 Cover Picture: See Page 3
THE KEDGE ANCHOR Issue 63 2 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; visiting teenagers in our neighbourhood are fishing in the surrounding lakes and canals (I am sure they are aware of the signs along the shoreline warning of gators and snakes); the same teenagers are blithely cruising around the neighbourhood driving their grandparents’ golf carts. While the two bald eaglets sitting in their nest across the street can sense the change as they screech away and test their wings. They will soon leave the nest. No, I am not being an old codger, as I am looking forward to hosting my teenage grandson on his Spring Break in April. I echo the Club’s esteemed editor of The Kedge Anchor, whose opinion is that some members have said that sometimes there is too much mention of Nelson in this publication. But, it is unavoidable in this edition’. As I mentioned in the latest edition of The 1805 Dispatches, two major Nelson-oriented projects that The Club has been working for a decade came to fruition in March — the return of the conserved St John’s Figtree Church Parish Register (17291825), which has the names of Captain Horatio Nelson and Frances Nisbet, confirming their marriage on 11 March 1787. The second is the presentation to the Nevis Maritime Museum of a historically accurate replica of Nelson’s captain’s uniform and tricorn hat. In February, beside The House of Lord’s Tea honouring our former Chairman Bill White, (see the previous 1805 Dispatches and pages 16-19 in this publication), the Club conducted/ participated in two perennial events — The Battle of Cape St Vincent Luncheon in Alexandria, Virginia and The Midshipman Dale Commemorative ceremony in Bermuda. From these events, two further opportunities for the Club were discussed. The first of these was that during the St Vincent 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 New York 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 GC 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. This edition of TheKedge Anchor has more information (see pages 7-15). 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-beopened 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 agreed to become the Club’s virtual museum and library curator, full details of this very exciting role will be announced in due course. 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 to the Trustees, 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’Brien’s Aubrey and Maturin series. He is doing this with his father. I think it is worth your time. evanmwilson@substack.com Continued on page 4 THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Captain John Rodgaard, USN (Ret) Chairman, The 1805 Club
THE KEDGE ANCHOR SPRING 2025 3 EDITORIAL Nelson has again demonstrated his ‘pulling power’. Club members are well aware that there are many others worthy of being our naval heroes, but none have quite the magic of Nelson, who often allows us to introduce our subject to the layman, in a way other names do not. We experienced Nelson’s importance to the Nevisians, during the recent events in Nevis, which were the culmination of seven years of discussion, planning, negotiation, execution and effort. This magazine devotes a large part of the content to these events, for that is exactly how it should be. This was an enormous effort by all concerned and it cannot be overstated how important it is to The 1805 Club. The format I have chosen is to ask key players to write of their experiences: We have a piece about the history of the project; followed by a detailed description of the actual concluding events; and a �irst-timer to the Caribbean (like me) has written of the events as a super holiday, which it certainly was. However, I am please to inform you that we do look in other directions, as you will also �ind articles about Dombey, DeBraak, the making of a French Hero (or was he?), Georgian period music, swords from HMS Royal George and much more. To repeat my usual mantra: we only get such a variety of interesting subjects because you offer them to me. The pleasant fact is that I rarely have to reject an article sent to me, though I do sometimes have to defer its publication, through being inundated with good stuff. But, do not let the fear of my inundation put you off trying, as it gives me great pleasure to get something from a �irst-timer (or an old-timer, come to that), and see their writing style develop. I’m here and ready to help. I feel the need to humbly apologise for the contrived (a bit) crossword on page 5. It was done in a late rush, and I know it does not meet my usual standard. I would like to hear whether any reader actually has a go at the crossword. As a rule, I try not to burden the reader with too much personal stuff, but I would just like to �inish by saying I have recently started sharing my home with feline Izzy, who needed rehoming. If you see me at Zoom meetings, she may join in. She does like to explore my keyboard, though I suspect it will be some time before I get her to write something for KA. Front cover picture: The Replacement Nelson’s captain’s Uniform in Government House, Nevis (Photo courtesy the NHCS) Back cover pictures: Visit to HMS DeBraak (Photos courtesy Pete Stark) SECRETARY’S REPORT Stephen Howarth MA (with Distinction), FRHistS, FRGS, Cert. Ed. (Oxon) Hon. Secretary, The 1805 Club The next edition will beissuedin Autumn 2025. The deadline for copy will be 21 September 2025. Please submit your ideas to the Editor as soon as youcan,and actual contributions before the copy deadline whenever possible. TRUSTEES In accordance with our Constitution as a CIO, the Club must have at least four Trustees and may have up to 12, with one-third (or the nearest number) standing down annually by rotation, with those who have been in of�ice longest going �irst. The most convenient time for this is at the AGM. Those standing down may stand again for re-election at the same meeting. However, any individual may serve only three consecutive terms of of�ice and may not be reappointed for a fourth consecutive term, but may be reappointed after an interval of at least three years. During that interval the individual may still serve the Club but not as a Trustee. Of the CIO’s original four Trustees, elected at the AGM in 2023, Geraint Day stood down in 2024 without seeking re-election and Nicholas Rodgers will do likewise in 2025. New trustees are in place for con�irmation at the AGM in 2025. At that time, John Rodgaard and Stephen Howarth will be seeking re-election for their third and �inal terms in the CIO structure. Both will cease to be Trustees with effect from the AGM in 2026. Please consider putting yourself forward. New blood is not only welcome but will be essential. EVENTS Since the AGM of 2024, formal events have included a private Club visit to Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire; another to Lewes, Delaware, to view HM Brig De Braak; another to Mariners’ Museum at Hampton Roads, Virginia; commemorations of the Glorious First of June, the battles of the Nile and Cape St Vincent, and Midshipman Richard Dale; our main Trafalgar Night Dinner in Portsmouth and its sister in Fairfax, Virginia; a talk on The Trafalgar Way; Bill White’s Lifetime Achievement Award; and the splendid presentations in Nevis. There have also been informal social get-togethers between members, which are warmly encouraged. CONSERVATION The major conservation event of the year was the successful conclusion of the Nevis Register project, in partnership with the Borthwick Institute of the University of York, together with the presentation to the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society of the new Nelson Uniform, in partnership with Henry Poole & Co of Savile Row and Lock’s the Hatters. This is reported on extensively in this magazine. We hope for an equally successful conclusion in September to our memorial in Cornwall to Private Richard Masters, Royal Marines, in partnership with St Tudy Historical Society. PUBLICATIONS Our stable of publications remains strong with its usual �ive members and, planned for next year, one special addition. The usual �ive are our twice-yearly magazine The Kedge Anchor, the bimonthly newsletter The 1805 Dispatches, our excellent annual journal The Trafalgar Chronicle, and our two websites www.1805club.org and www.thetrafalgarway.org. The special addition, which will be sent to all members, will be a history of The 1805 Club from its inception in 1990 to its 35th anniversary this year.
www.1805club.orgRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTYyMzU=