Nelson & His World

Is there a way of doing a search on previous topics to check that something hasn't been covered before?

This is a small story, and I'll assume that no-one has mentioned this before. I was looking through the book London - World City 1880-1840 (which accompanied an exhibition), and on page 235 there is a picture of the opening of St Katherine Dock on 25th October 1828. The description below says that 'The first ship to enter the St. Katharine Dock was the Elizabeth, an East India free trader. She was dressed overall with her yards manned. The next ship, the Mary, similarly attired, had fifty Trafalgar veterans in her rigging.' The reference is another book: Bertram Stewart 1955 The Library and the Picture Collection of the Port of London Authority (London), plate on p.35. I've not seen this book. I wonder how they got hold of all these veterans and if the story is true?

Lesley

http://www.adkinshistory.com

It seems to be true, certainly contemporary newspapers reported it, although the numbers are disputed, and the reports below do not state that they were in the rigging.

The Times states - “…the next ship that entered was the Mary, 343 tons, Captain Stonehouse, the property of Messrs Thompson Bonar and Co. a Russian trader. She was laden with every description of Russian produce, and exhibited onboard the pleasing spectacle of 40 veteran pensioners from Greenwich, all of whom had served under Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar”

Another journal the ‘Morning Chronicle’ reported
“…succeeding the Elizabeth, which was light, without any cargo, was the Mary, entering to be unloaded. She came in in equally gallant style, and what added effect was the company of fifty Greenwich Pensioners, veteran sailors, who had fought at the battle of Trafalgar. The “hearts of oak” were greeted with the loud plaudits of the multitude, and we observed Baron Bulow, the Prussian minister with his suite, particularly struck by these old weather beaten heroes, as the sides of the vessel grated by flood bridge on which he and his lady and attendants sat.”

What a great story - I have certainly never come across it before.

The way it is reported in the Morning Chronicle certainly makes it sound very believable.

I would love to know if the incident is referred to in the records of Greenwich Hospital or the books of the ship concerned.

MB