Details
HOWE, Admiral RICHARD, EARL, 1726-1799, British naval officer, Commander in Chief of British forces in America, 1776-1778. Autograph letter signed ("Lord Howe" in third person), to Lieutenant General William Tryon, Dayton Hall [England], "Wednesday Evening," [docketed September 1796]. 1 page, 4to, 200 x 163mm. (7 15/16 x 6 7/16 in.), integral blank with recipient's docket.
ADMIRAL HOWE'S OBJECTIONS TO THE USE OF "ROCKETTS FOR NAVAL PURPOSES"
An attractive letter of the great admiral who, along with his brother, William Howe (1729-1814), played a crucial part in the early years of the American Revolution. Howe gives his opinion of the experimental rockets about to be tested: "Lord Howe presents his compliments to General Tryon, and returns the General many thanks for the information of the Trial of different sorts of Rocketts he has been directed to be made this Evening. His general opinion upon the use of Rocketts for Naval purposes, is, that they are liable to uncertainties in their appearance in different states of the weather, which would not safely admit of their use at sea..."
Howe had gone to sea at age 14, rose rapidly in the Navy ranks, served in Parliament and in 1776 became Commander-in-Chief of British Naval forces in America, based first in Boston and later in New York.
ADMIRAL HOWE'S OBJECTIONS TO THE USE OF "ROCKETTS FOR NAVAL PURPOSES"
An attractive letter of the great admiral who, along with his brother, William Howe (1729-1814), played a crucial part in the early years of the American Revolution. Howe gives his opinion of the experimental rockets about to be tested: "Lord Howe presents his compliments to General Tryon, and returns the General many thanks for the information of the Trial of different sorts of Rocketts he has been directed to be made this Evening. His general opinion upon the use of Rocketts for Naval purposes, is, that they are liable to uncertainties in their appearance in different states of the weather, which would not safely admit of their use at sea..."
Howe had gone to sea at age 14, rose rapidly in the Navy ranks, served in Parliament and in 1776 became Commander-in-Chief of British Naval forces in America, based first in Boston and later in New York.