200 years ago today, on 7 March 1810, Admiral Lord Collingwood died at sea after nearly 50 years of 'unwavering and dedicated service in the Royal Navy'. He was, of course, beloved and admired by Nelson himself to whom he was always ‘My dear Coll.’
There is now a website dedicated to marking this bi-centenary year:
http://www.collingwood2010.co.uk/Below is a poem I have quoted elsewhere on the site, but it is fitting, I think, to quote it here today as we pay tribute to the memory of Lord Collingwood.
The Old and Bold When England sets her banner forth
And bids her armour shine,
She'll not forget the famous North,
The lads of moor and Tyne;
And when the loving-cup's in hand
And Honour leads the cry,
They know not old Northumberland
Who'll pass her memory by.
When Nelson sailed for Trafalgar
With all his country's best,
He held them dear as brothers are,
But one beyond the rest.
For when the fleet with heroes manned
To clear the decks began,
The boast of old Northumberland
He sent to lead the van.
Himself by Victory's bulwark stood
And cheered to see the sight;
"That noble fellow Collingwood,
How bold he goes to fight!"
Love, that the league of Ocean spanned,
Heard him face to face;
"What would he give, Northumberland,
To share our pride of place?"
The flag that goes the world around
And flaps on every breeze
Has never gladdened fairer ground
Or kinder hearts than these.
So when the loving-cup's in hand
And Honour leads the cry,
They know not old Northumberland
Who'll pass her memory by.
Henry Newbolt
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