Nelson & His World

While Googling (in vain) for more information on the small window in the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool that depicts the death of Nelson, I came across a reference on this site http://www.ideopolis.info/downloads/ide ... misc01.pdf to a black boatswain, James Brown, who served in Victory at Trafalgar, which was revealed in the book cited below:

James Brown 1815 – 1881
James Brown is one of the many people of colour whose contribution to
Merseyside’s economic success over the years is too easily forgotten or
understated. Many aspects of his early life are unrecorded or clouded – at least
until Ray Costello provided important insights in his Black Liverpool; The Early
History of Britain’s Oldest Black Community.
It seems that James’ father had an illustrious life of his own – as Nelson’s chief
Boatswain on Nelson’s flagship the Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

I'm worried by the use of 'it seems', which is rather lacking in substance. Can anyone confirm this story?

No Bosun or Bosun's Mate named Brown serving at Trafalgar as far as I can see.

Bosun on Victory was William Wilmett - aged 35 - from Devon.

So clarification of that statement required I am afraid!!

MB

P.S. 9 seamen & marines on Victory had surname Brown.

Many thanks, Mark. It seems I was right to be suspicious!

It would be interesting to know whether James Brown served in any capacity in Victory, or, indeed, in any warship at Trafalgar. Stories inevitably get embroidered, and maybe there is a thread of truth here, or maybe not. I recall that Mira found many instances in the Old Bailey records, many years after Trafalgar, in which convicted men appealed for leniency on the grounds that they 'had served with Nelson at Trafalgar.'

What does one do, though, about errors or inaccuracies like this? The Internet is a great resource, but it can give a spurious validity to false claims or statements.

Anna.

Sounds rather improbable to me, especially as it would be quite easy to confirm the name of Victory's bosun at Trafalgar, which Mark has done. Why also 'Chief Bosun'? There is only one bosun on a ship, and he is assisted by several 'mates'.

I get a bit suspicious when the proper terms aren't used, especially in a publication.

Quite correct Kester.

1 Bosun and 4 Bosun's Mates I believe.

I bet they made a mean bunch!!

MB

Mark,

You are correct!

I don't think I'd fancy getting shaken awake (at the very least) by any of them, and certainly not by the 'Chief Bosun'!

Not surprisingly, there were 25 men named James Brown serving in the fleet, and two named James Browne. That's one for each ship, although they weren't distributed that evenly. James Browne, aged 22, from Norwich, was an ordinary seaman in the Victory.